Route Climbing Level 2

Intermediate

12 weeks

Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) based

Twelve weeks to 5.12.

This Level 2 Route climbing plan is designed to develop route climbing skills for intermediate climbers. It introduces strategic physical training to systematically improving your technique and strength.

If you’ve been climbing for multiple years, or are consistently sending routes in the 5.11a/b range, this plan is right for you. If you’re new to climbing and training, i.e. you’ve been climbing less than a year, and mostly 5.10a-5.10d routes, you should start with the Level 1 route climbing plan.

Over the course of the twelve weeks you will climb a lot, and our goal is to help you do that mindfully and with purpose, while making you stronger. We will also introduce you to the fingerboard, the most powerful tool for building finger strength and tracking progress within your training.

Many workouts will be accompanied by a focus or drill. Although these can be mentally draining and detract from your overall climbing performance, be sure to give them your full attention. They are an excellent way to improve climbing specific skills and discover weaknesses.

Later in the training plans, fewer workouts will have an accompanying workout or drill. See this as an opportunity to revisit a drill, or focus that you struggled with, or simply commit more energy to the workout itself.

This plan is based on your RPE, or “Rate of Perceived Exertion,” where workout intensities are guided by how hard you are working based on your perception of effort (how hard the workout feels to you) rather than by heart rate.

Whether you use an RPE-based or heart rate-based training plan, we recommend that you use a chest-strap heart rate monitor and GPS watch to log all your training.

Climb harder with purposeful training and measurable progress.

This plan emphasizes progressive physical training and skill enhancement and encourages purposeful climbing sessions to improve performance.

Training written and tested by Josh Wharton and Steve House.
Fingerboard introduction.
Workout focuses and Drills.
Workouts uploaded to your smartwatch or GPS device.*
Email and chat support.
Buy it once. Own it forever. Unlimited updates.

*Apple Watch syncing is currently not supported for RPE plans.

If you want workout intensity guided by perception of effort, you can purchase the RPE version here.

Strategically enhance your strength and technique for routes in the 5.11b-5.12d range.

Questions?

How can I get the most out of this training plan?

A common skill amongst advanced and expert climbers is the ability to try really f****ing hard! This is a trained skill and can not be underestimated. In order for you to get the most out of this training cycle it’s important that you give your best, sometimes in the form of mental focus, other times as maximum physical effort, and often as both. Trust that over time trying hard will become a habit, and translate into long-term performance gains.

To get the most out of the training plan it’s best to follow it as closely as possible, but obviously life sometimes gets in the way. For that reason we’ve added an asterisk (*) to the most critical workouts in the training schedule. Do your absolute best to do these workouts each week. Skip optional workouts first, followed by required workouts, whenever time constraints are an issue. If you miss more than one critical workout in a week, repeat that week.

Access to a climbing gym is mandatory. You’ll also need climbing shoes, a chalk bag/brush, a logbook, and basic weights along with a yoga mat for strength and mobility sessions.

What should I do prior to starting this plan?

Complete the Level 1 Route Climbing plan in preparation for this plan.

What should I do after I complete this plan?

We suggest moving to the Level 3 Route Climbing plan or the Advanced Rock Climbing plan.

Don't believe us?

I LOVE the plan I purchased, coaching call and support I have received from you and company at Uphill Athlete. Its like a living, breathing Training for the New Alpinism book.

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