I got a lot of weird looks from the Boston TSA personnel when they pulled my green Metolius Rock Rings out of my carry-on. The woman inspecting my backpack simply looked at me with her head cocked and eyebrows squeezed together in confusion. She then beckoned her middle-aged boss over so that I could explain…
Category: Training
The Power of Doing Home Workouts in Your Underwear
Most of us lead what we consider “busy lives.” We have jobs, families, school, attention-loving dogs, and dirty bathrooms that demand too much of our attention. For those of us die-hard weekend warriors who are forever squeezing seven days worth of commitments into Monday to Friday at 4:30 p.m., training at the gym three days a…
The Post-Workout PB & Banana Recovery Smoothie and Variations
This post-workout carb and protein combination, in a 4:1 ratio, is the fitness and nutrition communities’ recommendation for promoting ultimate recovery from any and all types of physical activity deemed a “workout.” It turns out that chocolate milk is a cheap, tasty way satisfy this 4:1 balance, and thus it has been promoted enough that…
20-Minute At-Home Workouts for When You’re Rushed or Just Feeling Lazy
Some days are busy, other days you’re lazy, and sometimes you need a short workout to round out your climbing day. So whether you’re desperate to get in a little training during your lunch break or want to wring the last bit of strength from your arms at the end of the day, here are…
Yoga: Mental and Physical Cross-Training for Climbing
Jeff Jackson, Rock and Ice Magazine Features Editor, office Yogi, and 5.14 climber, is a firm believer in the mental and physical health benefits of yoga. This summer, he took a yoga break at 2 p.m. every day he was at the office. He kept his yoga mat and rugs in the hallway and would spend…
Running for Climbing? Comments on the Age-Old Debate
Googling “running for climbing training” pulls up a host of articles and Mountain Project forums debating whether running helps or hurts one’s climbing. Many of my climbing partners found climbing in college after running cross country in high school, as did I, and still have an appreciation for exploring trails on foot, but how does…
Seven Ways to Continue Training with a Leg Injury
So you sprained your ankle, broke your leg, tweaked your knee, or did something else to cause pain to your lower appendage(s). No problem. Sure, you’re bummed that you have to take a few weeks off during prime bouldering season and your 4X4-training schedule is shut down, but that doesn’t mean you have to stop…
Training to Beat the Winter Climbing Blues (and Stay Strong for Spring)
Climbing in the winter in New England is a test of how many frigid approaches you can walk to icy, unclimbable top outs before you become discouraged. It can be difficult to stay psyched when it’s 15 degrees out and your project is under two feet of snow. All those approaches lugging crash pads and extra layers…
Coffee. Tape. Climb. 