Ice and Mixed Climbing Strength Plan 8 weeks. Beginner to Advanced Intermediate.
Author
Uphill Athlete by Steve House and Scott Johnston
All plans by this CoachLength
8 Weeks
Typical Week
2 Strength, 1 Other
Longest Workout
1:40 hrs
Plan Specs
winter sports
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Summary
This plan is ideal for beginner through advanced-intermediate climbers preparing for the winter climbing season. Climbers looking to start leading grade 4 and harder ice will realize a big boost in confidence that comes with increased ice-climbing-specific strength, especially in the forearms, shoulders, and calves.
This is a strength-focused eight week program and assumes that the climber has some basic fitness, including the ability to hang from two ice tools for a minimum of 10 seconds and complete 0-3 unassisted pull-ups on ice tools. You will need a selection of gym equipment and a pair of ice tools. This program involves 2-3 gym-based strength workouts per week and assumes that you will climb at an indoor rock climbing facility or be climbing outdoors a minimum of once per week.
This plan is based on scientifically sound training and a combined thirty years of professional endurance coaching experience and sixty years of world-wide climbing experience.
Tips: Rest when you are tired. If you miss one workout in a week, do not try to make it up, simply move on. If you miss more than two workouts in any one week then repeat that week. Do not combine this program with other strength training of any kind. This is meant to be a stand alone strength program and adding other strength work, even lower body, may have a significant negative impact on your recovery, and hence the positive effect of this training.
For detailed information and to understand how this plan is constructed, please consult our book, "Training for the New Alpinism" published by Patagonia Books. For specific questions about this training plan, or to send us your success story and be featured on our website www.uphillathlete.com email us at coach@uphillathlete.com . Thank you your interest in our training plans. To be sure you are satisfied with your purchase, please leave your email during the checkout process so we can contact you
Thanks for becoming an #uphillathlete,
Steve House and Scott Johnston
Stats
Sample Day 1
Warm up (dynamic stretches 5 minutes total):
a) range of motion stretches
b) 2 arm hangs with fully extended shoulders
c) Full 360 degree rotation arm swings for 30 seconds per arm as in this video:
https://www.uphillathlete.com/shoulder-mobility/
then;
10x burpees
10x incline pull-up
30 second 360-degree arm swings.
You'll need a yoga mat or similar, a pull-up bar, a bench or chair, and two ice tools to do this workout.
To start we'll do a general strength workout which follows the training principle of increasing to more specific strength exercises after general strength.
All exercises should be done with an emphasis on perfect form and executed in a controlled manner.
Core routine: 1x through, 30 seconds between exercises. See attachment for explanations of exercises. A video of this routine is also available at:
http://www.uphillathlete.com/how-to-do-core/
Bird dog. 5x/side
Strict sit ups. 10x.
Windshield wiper. Straight legs. 5 to each side.
3 point hold. 5 seconds each side.
Kayaker 10x each side.
Push up or Knee-push-ups. 10 reps.
Hang leg raise, knees to pulled tight to chest. 10x.
Bridge 5 second hold each leg
Gymnast L sit. Try for 10 sec. (most people take 4-6 weeks to be able to get this)
Side plank 5 second hold on each side.
1x through the following routine
Up to 10 reps of each exercise.
Pull-ups. Do as many as you can up to 10 or until you first start to shake. Even if you just try to pull up, that's fine, try for three to five seconds.
During a 2 min break do 10x toe raises
Push-up or knee-push-ups. Do as many as you can up to 10
During a 2 min break do 10x toe raises
Bench or bar dips. Do as many as you can up to 10
During a 2 min break 10x toe raises
Toe raises: During the 2 min breaks between the arm exercises stand with toes on a block or step and do these in mountain boots. The progression should start with 2 feet and 10 reps for each set of toe raises. As you get stronger progress first to one foot with 6-8 reps and finally, as needed start to add enough weight so that you can manage only 4 reps
The last stage of the workout after the general routine above:
Ice tool hangs for 30 seconds, tools in both hands. Stop if you start to shake. Keep your shoulder muscles active, don't hang fully relaxed so that your shoulder is stretching out, this can cause injury.
Sample Day 4
Warm up (dynamic stretches 5 minutes total):
a) range of motion stretches
b) 2 arm hangs with fully extended shoulders
c) Full 360 degree rotation arm swings for 30 seconds per arm as in this video:
https://www.uphillathlete.com/shoulder-mobility/
then;
10x burpees
10x incline pull-up
30 second 360-degree arm swings.
You'll need a yoga mat or similar, a pull-up bar, a bench or chair, and two ice tools to do this workout.
To start we'll do a general strength workout which follows the training principle of increasing to more specific strength exercises after general strength.
All exercises should be done with an emphasis on perfect form and executed in a controlled manner.
Core routine: 1x through, 30 seconds between exercises. See attachment for explanations of exercises. A video of this routine is also available at:
http://www.uphillathlete.com/how-to-do-core/
Bird dog. 5x/side
Strict sit ups. 10x.
Windshield wiper. Straight legs. 5 to each side.
3 point hold. 5 seconds each side.
Kayaker 10x each side.
Push up or Knee-push-ups. 10 reps.
Hang leg raise, knees to pulled tight to chest. 10x.
Bridge 5 second hold each leg
Gymnast L sit. Try for 10 sec. (most people take 4-6 weeks to be able to get this)
Side plank 5 second hold on each side.
1x through the following routine
Up to 10 reps of each exercise.
Pull-ups. Do as many as you can up to 10 or until you first start to shake. Even if you just try to pull up, that's fine, try for three to five seconds.
During a 2 min break do 10x toe raises
Push-up or knee-push-ups. Do as many as you can up to 10
During a 2 min break do 10x toe raises
Bench or bar dips. DO as many as you can up to 10
During a 2 min break 10x toe raises
Toe raises: During the 2 min breaks between the arm exercises stand with toes on a block or step and do these in mountain boots. The progression should start with 2 feet and 10 reps for each set of toe raises. As you get stronger progress first to one foot with 6-8 reps and finally, as needed start to add enough weight so that you can manage only 4 reps
The last stage of the workout after the general routine above:
Ice tool hangs for 30 seconds, tools in both hands. Stop if you start to shake. Keep your shoulder muscles active, don't hang fully relaxed so that your shoulder is stretching out, this can cause injury.
Sample Day 6
Climbing, indoors or outside. Aim to do 60% of the maximum number of pitches you could do in two hours assuming the pitches are 2 number-grades below what you can climb onsight.
Sample Day 8
Warm up (dynamic stretches 5 minutes total):
a) range of motion stretches
b) 2 arm hangs with fully extended shoulders
c) Full 360 degree rotation arm swings for 30 seconds per arm as in this video:
https://www.uphillathlete.com/shoulder-mobility/
then;
10x burpees
10x incline pull-up
30 second 360-degree arm swings.
You'll need a yoga mat or similar, a pull-up bar, a bench or chair, and two ice tools to do this workout.
To start we'll do a general strength workout which follows the training principle of increasing to more specific strength exercises after general strength.
All exercises should be done with an emphasis on perfect form and executed in a controlled manner.
Core routine: 2x through, 30 seconds between exercises. A video of this routine is also available at
http://www.uphillathlete.com/how-to-do-core/
Bird dog. 5x/side
Strict sit ups. 10x.
Windshield wiper. Straight legs. 5 to each side.
3 point hold. 5 seconds each side.
Kayaker 10x each side.
Push up or Knee-push-ups. 10 reps.
Hang leg raise, knees to pulled tight to chest. 10x.
Bridge 5 second hold each leg
Gymnast L sit. Try for 10 sec. (most people take 4-6 weeks to be able to get this)
Side plank 5 second hold on each side.
2x through the following routine
Up to 10 reps of each exercise.
Pull-ups. Do as many as you can up to 10 or until you first start to shake. Even if you just try to pull up, that's fine, try for three to five seconds.
During a 2 min break do 10x toe raises
Push-up or knee-push-ups. Do as many as you can up to 10
During a 2 min break do 10x toe raises
Bench or bar dips. DO as many as you can up to 10
During a 2 min break 10x toe raises
Toe raises: During the 2 min breaks between the arm exercises stand with toes on a block or step and do these in mountain boots. The progression should start with 2 feet and 10 reps for each set of toe raises. As you get stronger progress first to one foot with 6-8 reps and finally, as needed start to add enough weight so that you can manage only 4 reps
The last stage of the workout after the general routine above:
Ice tool hangs for 30 seconds, tools in both hands. Stop if you start to shake. Keep your shoulder muscles active, don't hang fully relaxed so that your shoulder is stretching out, this can cause injury.
Sample Day 11
Warm up (dynamic stretches 5 minutes total):
a) range of motion stretches
b) 2 arm hangs with fully extended shoulders
c) Full 360 degree rotation arm swings for 30 seconds per arm as in this video:
https://www.uphillathlete.com/shoulder-mobility/
then;
10x burpees
10x incline pull-up
30 second 360-degree arm swings.
You'll need a yoga mat or similar, a pull-up bar, a bench or chair, and two ice tools to do this workout.
To start we'll do a general strength workout which follows the training principle of increasing to more specific strength exercises after general strength.
All exercises should be done with an emphasis on perfect form and executed in a controlled manner.
Core routine: 2x through, 30 seconds between exercises. A video of this routine is also available at
http://www.uphillathlete.com/how-to-do-core/
Bird dog. 5x/side
Strict sit ups. 10x.
Windshield wiper. Straight legs. 5 to each side.
3 point hold. 5 seconds each side.
Kayaker 10x each side.
Push up or Knee-push-ups. 10 reps.
Hang leg raise, knees to pulled tight to chest. 10x.
Bridge 5 second hold each leg
Gymnast L sit. Try for 10 sec. (most people take 4-6 weeks to be able to get this)
Side plank 5 second hold on each side.
2x through the following routine
Up to 10 reps of each exercise.
Pull-ups. Do as many as you can up to 10 or until you first start to shake. Even if you just try to pull up, that's fine, try for three to five seconds.
During a 2 min break do 10x toe raises
Push-up or knee-push-ups. Do as many as you can up to 10
During a 2 min break do 10x toe raises
Bench or bar dips. DO as many as you can up to 10
During a 2 min break 10x toe raises
Toe raises: During the 2 min breaks between the arm exercises stand with toes on a block or step and do these in mountain boots. The progression should start with 2 feet and 10 reps for each set of toe raises. As you get stronger progress first to one foot with 6-8 reps and finally, as needed start to add enough weight so that you can manage only 4 reps
The last stage of the workout after the general routine above:
Ice tool hangs for 30 seconds, tools in both hands. Stop if you start to shake. Keep your shoulder muscles active, don't hang fully relaxed so that your shoulder is stretching out, this can cause injury.
Sample Day 13
Climbing, indoors or outside. Aim to do 60% of the maximum number of pitches you could do in two hours assuming the pitches are 2 number-grades below what you can climb onsight.
Sample Day 14
Warm up (dynamic stretches 5 minutes total):
a) range of motion stretches
b) 2 arm hangs with fully extended shoulders
c) Full 360 degree rotation arm swings for 30 seconds per arm:
then;
10x burpees
10x incline pull-up
30 second 360-degree arm swings.
You'll need a yoga mat or similar, a pull-up bar, a bench or chair, and two ice tools to do this workout.
To start we'll do a general strength workout which follows the training principle of increasing specific strength exercises as general strength progresses.
All exercises should be done with an emphasis on perfect form and executed in a controlled manner.
Core routine: 1x through, 30 seconds between exercises. A video of this routine is also available at
http://www.uphillathlete.com/how-to-do-core/
Bird dog. 5x/side
Strict sit ups. 10x.
Windshield wiper. Straight legs. 5 to each side.
3 point hold. 5 seconds each side.
Kayaker 10x each side. 5lbs.
Push up or Knee-push-ups. 10 reps.
Hang leg raise, knees to pulled tight to chest. 10x.
Bridge 5 second hold each leg
Gymnast L sit. Try for 10 sec. (most people take 4-6 weeks to be able to get this)
Side plank 5 second hold on each side.
2x through the following routine
Up to 10 reps of each exercise.
Pull-ups. Do as many as you can up to 10 or until you first start to shake. Even if you just try to pull up, that's fine, try for three to five seconds.
During a 2 min break do 10x toe raises
Push-up or knee-push-ups. Do as many as you can up to 10
During a 2 min break do 10x toe raises
Bench or bar dips. DO as many as you can up to 10
During a 2 min break 10x toe raises
Toe raises: During the 2 min breaks between the arm exercises stand with toes on a block or step and do these in mountain boots. The progression should start with 2 feet and 10 reps for each set of toe raises. As you get stronger progress first to one foot with 6-8 reps and finally, as needed start to add enough weight so that you can manage only 4 reps
The last stage of the workout after the general routine above:
Ice tool hangs for 30 seconds, tools in both hands. Stop if you start to shake. Keep your shoulder muscles active, don't hang fully relaxed so that your shoulder is stretching out, this can cause injury.