Train Smarter. Climb Harder
For years, we’ve coached climbers of every level — from first pull-ups to World Cup finals — and one thing has stayed consistent:
Most climbers work hard. Very few train smart.
This newsletter is our way of helping climbers understand more. From basic concepts to breaking down training myths as well as creating and writing your own training plans.
Not the normal and fairly generic hangboarding advice.
But with clear, honest explanations of how climbing performance actually works — and how to train it properly.
Free Advice on how to train a littler smarter and hopefully climb harder.
What This Newsletter Series Is About
Over the coming weeks, we will be breaking climbing training down into the things that actually matter:
Strength - not just about getting stronger fingers
Power - understanding velocity
Aerobic Capacity - the important base to training
Anaerobic Capacity - the number of moves actually matters
Aerobic Power - it’s important, but has a finite peak time
Anaerobic Power - the most misunderstood system
How these systems interact
Why people plateau
How to structure training without burning out
Each issue will focus on one concept at a time — simple, practical, and directly applicable to your climbing.
Alex Puccio competing in the 2018 World Championships in Innsbruck, Austria - where she met Robin
What to Expect?
Week 1 — Strength
What strength really is, how it’s expressed in climbing, and how to train it:
On the wall
Off the wall
With cross-training
Week 2 — Power
Why power isn’t just “dynamic climbing” — and how to train it without losing strength.
Week 3 — Aerobic Capacity
Low intensity, high volume work done properly (and why most people get it wrong).
Week 4 — Anaerobic Capacity
High intensity, short duration work — powering out, not pumping out.
Week 5 — Aerobic Power
The most misunderstood system in climbing — and one of the most important for sport climbers.
Week 6 — Anaerobic Power
Short, brutal efforts. Maximal force. Minimal pump.
Week 7 — The Volume vs Intensity Quadrant System
How we actually organise training load — and why this changes everything.
Week 8 — Energy Systems, Fatigue & Lactate Curves
How it all ties together.
Why We’re Doing This
We see the same problems over and over:
Training too hard, too often
Confusing pump with progress
Mixing systems unintentionally
Chasing fatigue instead of adaptation
Getting injured due to increasing intensity or volume (or both) too quickly
This newsletter is about clarity.
Understanding what you’re training, why you’re training it, and how to progress without breaking down.
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Strength — What It Is & How Climbers Should Train It
Clear definitions.
Real examples.
Actionable takeaways with videos attached.
If you’ve ever felt stuck, confused, or unsure whether your training is actually helping — this series is for you.
Thanks for being here.
Robin & Alex
ROAP Coaching