Why do you train?
Why do you train? What is the purpose of your training? What are your goals?
Every time you exercise, you are wiring your body to do those movements. Every movement should have a purpose, and should be helping you on your path to your goal. This isn’t just important for your training and keeping it specific, but also for motivation and seeing progress. This doesn’t mean that you should be inside all the time. If your goal is to climb that 5.12 outside, then you need to go to that climb, as often as you can, figure out the movement, get used to the environmental conditions, and figure out the things you need to work on to improve your movement. You can work on movement modalities inside and outside of the gym, on boulder problems and strength training.
Maybe your goal is to just be healthy, and you climb and exercise for health. That is so great! But if you are moving with poor mechanics, then you will eventually have an injury. This is why it is so important to make sure you are moving correctly, efficiently and with purpose. Some of my favorite movements that increase flexibility, strength and lubricate the joints are handstands, full body weight squats, push-ups, pull ups, and back bends. You can do these anywhere, anytime and will help you achieve more efficient functional movement.
Now that summer is approaching, you should sit down and figure out the things you would like to focus on while the sun is shining. Then write down your goals, and then the steps on how to achieve them. This is the best way to make the most out of the season, especially if your activities are seasonal. Make small goals and big goals, this will keep you from feeling overwhelmed, as well as create a checklist for when you complete them.
Just for kicks, I have outlined my goals for this summer. If you see me in the gym, make sure to ask me if I am on track to my goals and if you see me slacking, tell me to go climb!
- Outside: Climb V8 and climb a hand full of V7’s
- Inside: Increase my hand/finger and shoulder strength
Since I am new to the Seattle area, I need to scope out the climbing and see what I can focus on outside. Right now I am going to Gold Bar and have found some amazing V7’s. I hope to get those in the next few weeks. I think that my V8 will be in Squamish, but I don’t know just yet what it will be.
Goal Achievement Strategy:
- I will train boulders 2-3 times a week, with a combination of drills and working complete boulder problems. Focus: Technique and sequencing.
- Climbing outside 1-2 times a week. Focus: Projecting.
- Strength and conditioning training twice a week to keep my overall fitness and strength up.
- Working on overhead squat to increase shoulder flexibility and leg strength. Muscle ups for shoulder strength.
- Continue shoulder exercises to maintain healthy shoulders.
- Finger and campus board twice a week for finger strength.
- Systems wall once a week for focused technique work.
So, I have exposed myself to you. If you need some accountability, advice, movement training, come see me, I’m always upstairs working with my clients and I would be happy to chat with you. You can also email me: Mercedes@verticalworld.com
– Mercedes Pollmeier