Strength & Power
Foundational concepts behind maximal strength, power production, and explosive force in climbing. Principles, exercises, and training models that improve raw performance.
Fundamentals
The Three Strength Systems: Max, Capacity & Stability
Climbing strength is built from three systems: max strength (your force ceiling), capacity (your ability to repeat force), and stability (your control under imperfect conditions). Each adapts differently, responds to different training, and creates specific limitations when underdeveloped. Understanding these system...
Finger Recruitment: How Fingers Generate Force
Finger strength is far more neural than muscular. Recruitment determines how many motor units you can activate, how fast they fire, and how well they synchronise. Maximal efforts are required to unlock high-threshold units — endurance work cannot train this system. A proper warm-up alone can increase your usable fin...
What “Strength” Actually Means in Climbing
Strength in climbing is the ability to produce high force with stable mechanics in a specific grip and angle. It depends on recruitment, tendon tension, joint stability, and an efficient force line—not just muscle effort or how “strong” a move feels.