Rock Climbing Technique: The Practical Guide to Movement Mastery

It’s very rare I review products, however this book deserves my efforts. Whether you are starting out or are already a climber it’s a great book. Not only is every technique explained well, they are accompanied by QR codes (see photo) enabling you to actually see how the movement should be done.

Having used John as a coach at the Kendal wall, this book is a great reminder of the things that I need to continue to practice. When I first met John I said I wanted to lead 5c (UK) outside but I didn't have the strength. He said improving strength would increase my chances of injury and given my quality of foot work that I should focus my effort on that. A year later I am able to climb 5c with the same amount of time spent training. There is a lot of good drills in the book which are simple to practice. I have read a lot of books on climbing but this focusses on the going for yourself which is a better way of learning for me.

Virtually all climbers get injured at some point, regardless of whether they climb outdoors or indoors, and many climb with chronic injuries.It's unlikely that technique could prevent a freak accident but it can definitely reduce risks that are within one's control and enable one to climb smarter and safer.This book provides a rather useful summary of basic but important climbing techniques, and emphasises the importance of good technique. It would have been improved with more (and relevant) climbing graphics/photographs, since sports/movement are tangible concepts represented more clearly by visuals. It also gives a good sense of the author's solid competence as a sensible coach and is a helpful reminder for injured climbers to climb smarter and safer."Skill development is a great way to maintain motivation and keep improving, while paving the way for excellent performance when you return to form." - John Kettle

I like the actual exercises and how Kettle suggests variants and combinations. I like the division of exercises into groups (feet, fingers, core, etc). I like that the book and the exercise descriptions are kept succinct - and rather illustrated on YouTube videos. And I like the Geek's corner at the end of each session. The book has already proven itself as a good tool for me as a coach of young climbers.

Most training books will mention the importance of technique and even explain a few basics before swiftly moving on to the main business of how many pull up variations there are, how to hangboard, campus etc. And that's great but if you ever wanted something more detailed this is the book. An in depth look at movement, with well thought out exercises, written by someone who is clearly passionate and interested in this element of climbing. Depending on your experience not everything here is going to be new to you but I'd think everyone would get something out of it. Buy it.

I've been super impressed with this book. Of all the resources this has by far improved my actual climbing level. The accompanying YouTube videos are really helpful to visualise the description of each exercise. I will practice some of the exercises and find myself climbing harder grades almost immediately.

This book is great. Goes to the point and gives a lot of ideas and advice. The drills described are helping me addressing significant technical weaknesses.

I’m still working my way through this book, putting each technique into practice. The method of breaking down climbing into individual techniques certainly works well for me, and gives me more weapons in my arsenal to send problems, and I’ve improved my climbing grade since applying the techniques learnt in this book.My climbing companions have also commented on how much better I’m climbing, and how effortless (it isn’t!) I make my climbing seem.

Just started climbing and this book is absolutely invaluable! Great buy

This book really works!! Both me and my husband are climbing 1-2 grades higher after starting the drills in the book.At the time I bought the book my climbing had been plateaued at 5.10b routes at our gym for at least a year (the long blocks of covid lockdowns during which I'd lose conditioning didn't help). Around the time I bought this book in March, I was climbing mostly 5.10a and 5.10bs while doing a few 5.10c routes with difficulty. I am now regularly climbing 5.10c's and 10d's, and tonight I just climbed my first TWO 5.11a routes! Not only that but I did them cleanly, without stopping or having too much trouble. One of them was at the end of my 2 hour climbing session when normally my arms would be too exhausted for a challenge.I'm thrilled at my progress, and I feel like this book played a huge part in that. The book is slim, but its drills really give you a lot of bang for your buck, breaking your body's muscle memory out of bad habits while training your instincts into much more efficient ways of movement. I'm climbing harder things with less effort than when I used to climb easier things, and engaging my entire body in a more coordinated and cohesive way. I really feel like I've leveled up in a huge way.

Wer sein Klettern verbessern möchte, muss irgendwann die Technik erlernen. Viel geht zwar mit Muskeln, aber die schwere Muskelmasse mit sich tragen macht das auch nicht einfacher. Hier hilft es, eine saubere Technik zu bekommen und dabei hilft das Buch ungemein. Besonders die vielen schönen Übungen für die Verbesserung der Beinarbeit sollten einem helfen, effizienter zu klettern.

Es una joya para cualquier persona que quiere aprender a escalar de la mejor manera 10/10

les exercices décrits sont faibles en compétences, ils ne vous développeront pas ce qui est utile, d'autant que parfois ils sont donnés d'abord du plus coplexe au plus simple, peu d'intérêt