Most of what we deal with at TrainingBeta are ways you can train to make yourself a stronger climber.  However, working to get stronger is only half of the equation and really is the half that should be focused on second.  The other half is working on getting better not stronger.

While getting better and getting stronger may seem like they are one in the same, here’s an article from Rock and Ice by Andrew Bisharat that describes the difference between the two and makes a case for why climbers should spend more time focusing on how they can become better not just stronger climbers.

“Anyone can go to the gym and rip off a bunch of reps or climb a bunch of boulder problems and feel as though they have accomplished something. Training with the goal of improving technique is more cerebral, requiring a certain degree of consciousness about what you’re doing. This is because good technique is all about ingraining movements, coordinating the upper and lower body and maintaining awareness of how much effort you’re expending to the point that it becomes second nature.” – Andrew Bisharat

Tips for Getting Better Technically:

To help you towards this end of improving overall as a climber, Bisharat outlines a wide array of tips that cover everything from your movement style, to training attitude, and even your climbing shoe choice.  They are:

• First, be good
• Bad feet
• Master the back-step
• Stand up
• Wear better shoes
• Develop your own style
• Avoid finger injuries
• Build a base
• Make climbing a practice

Click through below to read the complete article where all of these tips are discussed in greater detail.

You may find some of his advice more applicable to you than others.  However, for us, the most important idea Bisharat covers is the overall mental shift from just focusing on strength levels to focusing on overall improvement.  Truly adopting this approach is one of the best things you can do for your climbing in the long run.  Down the line you will thank yourself.

Full Article: Tips for Getting Better Not Stronger

(photo courtesy of rockandice.com)

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