A few years ago my climbing was kind of aimless, enjoyable but aimless. I had seen a bit of progress climbing at my local climbing gym and I was enjoying the regular activity and getting to know other people in the community.
“These 4 questions changed my rock climbing forever”
Over time I began to care more and more about my rock climbing. But rock climbing covers such a wide range of 'climbing' activities I found it easy to get lost in a world of goals in many areas of rock climbing but little focus on how to achieve any of them.
To be honest without asking these questions my climbing would not have developed with any focus to where it has been and where it is today. I am going to share these questions with you here. I hope they with help to focus you and your rock climbing.
“where would you go and what would you climb? A big wall in Patagonia? a small boulder in Switzerland? a new trad climb in Australia? a hard sport climb in Yorkshire? an Olympic podium?”
Over my years of climbing coaching I have seen how the more focused a climber is on one aspect of rock climbing the easier it is to make improvements in a desired direction.
This focus is often found by first understanding what motivates the individual to spend precious time and energy planning and training for a specific goal, what really gets them going.
By answering these questions you will discover your unique take on rock climbing, what motivates you and where you would like to take it. From this you can then move on to giving your rock climbing and training better structure and direction. Get your pen and paper out, be honest and enjoy...
1. What Do I Enjoy About Climbing?
List things that you enjoy about rock climbing...all of them. Think about how it makes you feel, the places it takes you to, the structure it gives to your life. These things can be anything you like, remember some of these things may be unique to you and be honest (give permission to let your ego out and about).
You may enjoy the people you meet, the challenge it gives you, the feeling of movement, the escape after a long day at work, the feeling of progression, the fitness it give you, the mental work out, (or the way it makes your body look). Make an honest list...
2. What Are My Greatest Accomplishments In Climbing So Far?
Remember the journey you have already been on. List all of those moments that really stand out in your mind. What moments really stand out for you? Which feelings do you remember most? What has defined your climbing time so far?
This may be something big like a project you managed to climb or a place you visited to climb. It could be small like the time you did a move that had challenged you, took a fall that had scared you before or meeting your climbing hero at your local climbing wall.
What motivates you? Andi Smith bouldering an inspiring feature in South Africa
3. Which Climbers Do I Admire Most?
Let's take a minute to think about those that inspire and motivate you. Often there is a reason that this person in particular motivates you. At the very least, this admiration you have should shed some light on the type of climbing you enjoy.
Maybe you admire their attitude, their training energy, the way they dress, the type of rock routes or boulders they climb, the adventures they go on, the trophies they win, the change they make in the community. The individuals you think of may be well known or it could be someone down at your local climbing gym...who inspires you?
4. If I Could Climb Anything What Would I Climb?
Owen Davies hanging out high above the trees, while lowering off a steep route in the Darran's area of New Zealand
Ok...off into dream land. You have the funds, you have the time, you have put the effort into your training. Where would you go and what would you climb? A big wall in Patagonia? a small boulder in Switzerland? a new trad climb in China? a hard sport climb in Yorkshire? Think outside the box, be honest and dream.
You will see from this is what style of climbing really inspires you. Your answer may fall into one of the following categories traditional climbing, bouldering, sport climbing, mountaineering, indoor or outdoor climbing. Your answer may be specific, such as a single climb, or broad such as a specific grade at your local climbing wall, visiting a climbing area or improvements in your general fitness or specific finger strength.
“By answering these questions you should have a better idea of which aspects of rock climbing really motivate you. Armed with this, you can move on to giving your rock climbing and training better structure and direction”
The outcome of this excercise is that you will discover a focus in your climbing. By answering these questions you should have a better idea of which aspects of rock climbing really motivate you. Armed with the answers to these questions you can move on to giving your rock climbing and training better structure and direction. This is not to say that you should become a super focused rock athlete, you may be more than happy doing a variety of climbing styles and all at a level you are happy with, and that is something enlightening to realise and nurture too.
I hope asking these questions will focus you mind on your rock climbing and help you to climb better. Send over any questions you have and enjoy your climbing.
Stay tuned to the Climbing Clinic blog...for Goal Setting to Sending