When the boys at Tension Climbing talk, we should all listen…

Today, we have an article they wrote about how bouldering circuits can be used to train strength/power, strength/power endurance, and even endurance.

“Training with bouldering circuits is a very effective way to target Strength/Power, Strength/Power Endurance, or Endurance. There are two main benefits to this type of training. First of all, you don’t need a partner, so if you need to get an endurance workout in, but your route climbing partner can’t make it to the gym or if you’re a one-man-wolf-pack…no big deal. Second, and the main reason I like training like this, is because you get to CLIMB. Climbing is important. – Tension Climbing

As they say in the article, bouldering circuits are a valuable training tool because they can be done both without a partner and because they consists of actual climbing.  Not only is this great because getting to climb is more fun that just hanging of a fingerboard, but it also means you can actively practice technique and movement.  As a result, you can focus on improving as a climber while you are working at getting stronger or more fit.

Bouldering Circuits for Different Attributes:

In their article, they outline exactly how you can tweak your circuits depending on what you are trying to train.  This can be especially useful for climbers looking to train for routes, but do not have access to either a reliable training partner or a rope climbing gym.

To describe exactly how you modify circuits to train each attribute, Tension covers the changes you should make to:

• Number of boulders
• Number of moves per boulder
• Rest between attempts
• Number of sets
• Rest between sets

If you have never trained with bouldering circuits before, click through below to read the full article.  It lays out everything you need to know to train with these circuits and add some structure to your standard gym climbing session.  They even include some tips on how to program these circuit into your training schedule…

Full Article: Tension Climbing – Training with Bouldering Circuits

(photo courtesy of tensionclimbing.com)

Other Articles You Might Like:

• Bouldering Circuits
• Strong Circuits: Quick and Focused Workouts for Peak Performance
• From Bouldering to Route Climbing Part 2: Training Details
• Mark Anderson Advanced Endurance Training