Get More Specific Strength for Ice Climbing

Training for Ice Climbing? Time to dial it up!

Icing on the Climbing Cake–more specific strength for ice climbing.

Ice climbing is a different beast. Solid general fitness and specific strength is key to success.

If you’ve been following the Chicks Training tips recently you know about the last two ice-climbing-specific workouts.

Swing! Training for Ice Climbing helps build ice climbing fitness from a solid fitness base.

10 Steps to Muscular Endurance for Ice Climbing gives you some tips for using a climbing gym to build ice climbing fitness. Indoor climbing can help with grip strength and stamina. Climbing indoors with a pack will increase your pump and add core strength and muscular endurance.

Now it’s time to dial in a couple more pieces as well as take things up a notch.

This workout is for those

1. Who have been training
2. Have some ice climbing under their belt, and/or
3. Are preparing for an upcoming Chicks clinic or ice climbing trip.

Train your Arms, Grip and Calves for Ice Climbing.

5:00 min warm up  (jump rope, ski erg, treadmill, cycling)

2 × 8 shoulder openers

2 x 5 cuban press

2 x 5 push ups

2 x 10 (5 x per side) turkish get up with light weight

Then:

Pull ups

The technique you use for this workout will depend on where you are with your pull up strength.

The following three videos show pull-up variations. The final one shows the lock off training sequence.

Do Pull ups on dowels or your ice tools placed over a pull up bar.

Use assistance if necessary. Use a band, small jump, toe on a chair, or a friend holding your feet to help take some weight.

Lock off at the top of the pull up for 1- 3 secs depending on your strength. Lower to 3 more positions from the top. Lock off for up to three secs at each position.

These lock offs should be controlled.

Try not to drop into the shoulder joint at full extension.

Do 3 – 5 reps in a row, depending on your strength.

Rest 5 minutes between sets and repeat 3 – 5 times. Again, reps, rounds and technique variation will depend on fitness.

Weighted Calf Raises

While resting, load up a pack, wear a weight vest or hold something heavy (15 – 30#). Do weighted calf raises, ideally, in your ice climbing or mountain boots. Calf raises can easily be done on a step.

Do 10 calf raises every minute on the minute for 3 minutes. In other words, start the clock or timer for 1 minute. Do 10 reps and rest for the remainder of the minute. When the second minute starts, do 10 reps again and then rest for the remainder of the second minute. Do the same for the third round. Three rounds/minutes will use 3 minutes of your 5-minute rest. Fully rest the remaining 2 minutes.

Then:

Go back to the pull-up-lock-off drill.

Repeat both exercises 3-5 times.

This calf workout in between lock off practice is a great combo for ice climbing.

Bonus

We all know core work is critical.

Here’s a little “Ab-pocalypse” for the end of the session:

30 sec sit up

30 sec V-seat hold

60 sec mtn climber

30 sec flutter kick

60 sec plank one foot off the floor for 30 sec then switch elevated foot.

30 sec KTE – knees to elbows

60 sec rest

3 – 5 rounds

Enjoy!

And Happy New Year!!

Carolyn

If you need information for a specific climb or trip of any nature you can contact me at:

[email protected]

970-773-3317

Carolyn Parker

Founder Ripple Effect Training

Gym Jones, Fully Certified Instructor

AMGA Certified Rock Guide

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