First, I have no idea if the supplements help. Maybe they do, maybe they don’t. I don’t have enough knowledge to say either way.

Second, Horst is incentivized to say that they do work. He sells the product.

Again, maybe it helps, maybe it doesn’t. But biases should always be taken into account, so his claims should be discounted purely because the bias is present. If you’re curious, it would be best to read the original study (and find out what the study’s designers and sponsors do for a living) and/or ask an impartial nutritionist.

Just to be clear about the supplements, I have no idea. To repeat, I don’t have the knowledge or expertise to offer a judgment.

WRT the workout, I’ve never done it, but I like the idea of it. Most climbers are prone to too much too soon too often. A daily routine of low-load is something more climbers should consider.

Hi Alan,

I have been using a protocol very similar to Eric’s Daily FB protocol for myself and a number of my athletes I coach. Anecdotally I find daily interaction with a fingerboard an important part of adapting to specific fiber training, from fingerboard workouts to climbing. Just like going for an easy run or brisk walk on a day you are not doing intervals or Zone-2 runs, specifically and gently stressing the fingers helps them loosen and recover, so I think.

Several climbers with more experience than I have noted that they suffer more finger injuries when not fingerboarding than when they do on a consistent basis. I too have experienced this. Again, all anecdotal evidence.

With everything strength, start in small moderate doses and proceed with care and slowly. Try starting twice a week and building up from there.

Good luck!