Endurance Training

The definition of endurance is classified as- denoting or relating to a race or other sporting event that takes place over a long distance or otherwise demands great physical stamina.

But endurance in climbing is a something else which is a lot more difficult in my eyes and other climber’s eyes. Endurance in climbing is great, not only for sport-climbing but also bouldering. Believe it or not.

Endurance in climbing is like running multiple marathons on the wall. 

Endurance training can be done many different ways. If there’s auto belays are available,  you could just do laps nonstop.  Climbing all the way to the top then coming down and repeating it over and over again. You can do those repeating laps on bouldering routes too.  Of course, the walls just won’t be as long, but it can still be a big help in your endurance climbing training. 

Endurance climbing training doesn’t mean you have to do the hardest routes, you can actually just stick to the easiest grades in the gym and keep pushing yourself with however much time you have in a particular day. 

Endurance training will help you in many cases such as climbing competitions and going climbing outside. 

The most important thing about endurance training is your attitude and your mindset to not give up no matter how tired you are or how much your arms and hands hurt.  When you are endurance training you should always remember some of these important tips to help you last longer on the wall. I would first recommend making sure you are staying hydrated because you will be burning a lot of calories, far more than when you are just climbing or projecting a route. I also recommend you focus on your legs because those are stronger muscles than your arms, so your arms won’t feel as tired at the end of your endurance training sessions. A good climbing tip to remember when endurance training is to make sure you are doing active rests throughout your routes, shaking out and getting all that lactic acid build-up out of your arms. That is very important and something that gets overlooked and forgotten about. Most important is to make sure you are breathing.  I know that sounds simple enough but so many climbers especially when pushing ourselves physically tend to hold our breath. Make sure you are breathing in through your nose and out your mouth the whole way up and in between climbs. 

Training endurance may not feel good in the moment but after you are done with whatever amount of endurance training you, your mind and body will feel better.  So, if you are tired of projecting the same routes in your gym or need to change up the routine, try an endurance training session and see how it turns out you might surprise yourself.