Love the tip about good technique in the warm up process. Cant stress this enough. You also warm up your mindset and you want to go to your hard routes with a confident, focused and precise mindset.
I've recently been trying to force myself to work on climbs that aren't in my style. Sure enough, I've noticed I've started to get more confident in those styles now. In a way it's nice because I can see fairly quick and visible progress in that particular area whereas the rest of my climbing is more or less at a plateau.
Tip 1 is great - I've started practising my footwork on warm up climbs - as a new climber my footwork isnt great so just messing about with the holds and transferring weight, rather than simply climbing an easy warm up route, is really helping.
Tip #1 Really hit home for me, so use to just mindlessly warming up just so I can get to the harder stuff. I can really use that time to practice some techniques. And of the course, the other tips were just as helpful, thank you!
The last one is easier said than done. I keep falling on the last move to the top (lead climbing mostly) because I get too excited. I’m now trying to use rests not just to recover my arm/finger strength but also to actively breath and calm down. It helps a bit but I still fall from time to time on moves I should have been able to do.
Ah, video on mental training coming soon that'll help with this! Breath work is VERY important, and keeping the right mindset. Good job identifying that on your own, and starting to work on it. Also LOVE that you get so excited at the top of a climb - that at least means you're having fun, and getting a real thrill out of it!
No Patreon or donations for your channel? I would really love to support you. Seriously, the way you communicate is just astonishing! Cannot wait for my climbing session today!
Point one really helped me after the lockdowns. Coming back to the gym out of shape all that practice in the warm up climbs really helped the technique to come right back so I could get back into it much quicker.
Love the practising while warming up tip. I alternate between a few drills (below, only doing one at a time) when warming up on easy climbs, would love to know if there are some I could add Catalyst Climbing! 1) silent feet 2) sticky hands and feet 3) focusing on keeping straight arms and rolling shoulders etc as much as practicable, and pushing as much as possible from the legs 4) practising flags/drop knees etc 5) watching each foot to the foothold
Awesome vid- and great tips! Thanks! I did my first V8 Boulder this week (I’m psyched!) and I had to use my knee to hold my position on a bigger slopper before moving up. Also I find myself using my whole forearms on volumes, especially if I’m grabbing a higher edge on it and need to put weight on it.
Tip1, one of the best things that improved by climbing was finger injury (within the first year) because I couldn’t pull hard for months I really went back to basics and climbed a ton of easy climbs as efficiently as possible, I watched the Neil Gresham Masterclass DVD’s about a thousand times and worked drop knees, flagging etc and that technique stayed with me through the years to the point where even now, returning to climbing after 3 years off and 3 stone on I can still climb some hard problems that I can tech my way through (v5-7indoor) despite having no finger strength, power, endurance or flexibility. It’s quite funny watching some young athlete looking climber struggle on a problem and i rock up with a fat beely hanging over my trousers, sweat pissing out of me just from trying to get my shoes on and just teching my way up. Soon backfires though as soon as there’s the slightest bit of hard pulling and I can’t even pull on a v3 🤣
I love it, there's always something to work on when warming up. Lately I've been doing long cave routes and focusing on controlling my breathing through every move. Thanks for the tips!
Thanks for sharing. I really liked the advice on using the whole body. I am pretty much a beginner and sometimes used elbows or hips and always felt awkward (like a real beginner). Also like the idea to see all limbs the same way. Hope you will have more of these kind of advice videos in the future!
I'm a beginners beginner in bouldering and during my last session i noticed on one of them i did the technique where you turn your body to reach higher and it felt so good to do a good climbing move instead of just trying to brute force my way through. Especially cuz i don't have much power to brute force with.
Hi just got something to fourths point. There are many ways how to climb, even the hardest boulders. So yes, it's important to work on our weaknesses but also to know my own style. Am I flexible? Strong as hell? Do I love to use my legs during climbing? Etc. So, yea, working on weaknesses is good, but breaking the beta with my own style is maybe even better :-)
I use my knees and elbows a lot for flagging to do static moves. This may sound weird, but there is no risk for me since all the moves are done in a very controlled way.
I’ll remember these when I finally get back to climbing again. It’s been over one year now since I last climbed 😭 I will have to strengthen up my tendons again like a beginner!
everything you say is great Louis! I had a session with you when I was visiting the uk in 2018 with an unusable finger. I got so much out of it I still use plenty of it still. I wish youd do more of these! im in new Zealand so coming for more coaching isn't that practical. hopefully next year!
Tip 4: yeah I understand your point but also don't forget your strengths because with those skills you can reach your goals more "quickly" (to keep up motivation etc....)
Oh absolutely! It's not a case of only ever trying things we find tougher - we need the positive reinforcement to keep us psyched. It's just remembering that often we avoid things because they feel tough, when that's precisely why we should work on them (it can open up a lot of new styles of climbing!)
Last one is the one I needed to hear. Lately I often find myself surprised by doing the crux part of the problem and then I fall on the next move because I already see myself at the finish hold 🙈
Thank you, Louis. It's nice to hear some tips that pertain to aspiring climbers. Workout routines will make you a stronger climber but not always a better climber. I appreciate the mental game and technique. Keep them coming!
Thanks Louie, really good tips! Moving back indoors a bit more so will be good to focus on these rather than just worrying about how dodgy my last bit of gear was... :)
Been doing tip 4 quite a lot recently of working on my weaknesses, and I find this is giving me much more coverage in overall climbing skill. Vs being good at only certain styles. Tip 5 is hard to understand. During a project I might struggle on each move at a time. Making one move progression each session. A few sessions later, I am able to speed the first half of the moves, through power and aggression (with technique in muscle memory), so is that bad form then? I agree I do get very excited about finishing and knowing I am so close. In my opinion making a previously challenging move quite trivial is good practice?
I love using my knees. Sadly it doesn't look as cool, but honestly, I am able to get around problems where my hip flexibility fails me. At this point people in my local gym have even dubbed me a 'knee climber' hahah
Love the tip about good technique in the warm up process. Cant stress this enough. You also warm up your mindset and you want to go to your hard routes with a confident, focused and precise mindset.
"warm up your mindset" is a GREAT phrase. We should all use this more often!
thank you Don Pablo 🙌🏽🙌🏽
I've recently been trying to force myself to work on climbs that aren't in my style. Sure enough, I've noticed I've started to get more confident in those styles now. In a way it's nice because I can see fairly quick and visible progress in that particular area whereas the rest of my climbing is more or less at a plateau.
Progress in our weaker climbing styles is one of the best feelings!
This was legit
YOU'RE legit 😘
Elbows are very usefull many times! You can "easily" prevent barndoor effect by pushing elbow on the wall
So true! So often overlooked. Bum, elbows, knees, even the head. It all counts! 😂
Tip 1 is great - I've started practising my footwork on warm up climbs - as a new climber my footwork isnt great so just messing about with the holds and transferring weight, rather than simply climbing an easy warm up route, is really helping.
EXACTLY. There is no better time to learn to use your body than when it's not under the desperate stress of trying to do something at it's limit 😂
Tip #1 Really hit home for me, so use to just mindlessly warming up just so I can get to the harder stuff. I can really use that time to practice some techniques. And of the course, the other tips were just as helpful, thank you!
The last one is easier said than done. I keep falling on the last move to the top (lead climbing mostly) because I get too excited. I’m now trying to use rests not just to recover my arm/finger strength but also to actively breath and calm down. It helps a bit but I still fall from time to time on moves I should have been able to do.
Ah, video on mental training coming soon that'll help with this! Breath work is VERY important, and keeping the right mindset. Good job identifying that on your own, and starting to work on it. Also LOVE that you get so excited at the top of a climb - that at least means you're having fun, and getting a real thrill out of it!
No Patreon or donations for your channel? I would really love to support you. Seriously, the way you communicate is just astonishing!
Cannot wait for my climbing session today!
Point one really helped me after the lockdowns. Coming back to the gym out of shape all that practice in the warm up climbs really helped the technique to come right back so I could get back into it much quicker.
Love the practising while warming up tip. I alternate between a few drills (below, only doing one at a time) when warming up on easy climbs, would love to know if there are some I could add Catalyst Climbing!
1) silent feet
2) sticky hands and feet
3) focusing on keeping straight arms and rolling shoulders etc as much as practicable, and pushing as much as possible from the legs
4) practising flags/drop knees etc
5) watching each foot to the foothold
thank you, my youtube project now is to watch all the videos you made here and not only the ones that the algorithm shows me. great tips 😊
Awesome vid- and great tips! Thanks! I did my first V8 Boulder this week (I’m psyched!) and I had to use my knee to hold my position on a bigger slopper before moving up. Also I find myself using my whole forearms on volumes, especially if I’m grabbing a higher edge on it and need to put weight on it.
Tip1, one of the best things that improved by climbing was finger injury (within the first year) because I couldn’t pull hard for months I really went back to basics and climbed a ton of easy climbs as efficiently as possible, I watched the Neil Gresham Masterclass DVD’s about a thousand times and worked drop knees, flagging etc and that technique stayed with me through the years to the point where even now, returning to climbing after 3 years off and 3 stone on I can still climb some hard problems that I can tech my way through (v5-7indoor) despite having no finger strength, power, endurance or flexibility. It’s quite funny watching some young athlete looking climber struggle on a problem and i rock up with a fat beely hanging over my trousers, sweat pissing out of me just from trying to get my shoes on and just teching my way up. Soon backfires though as soon as there’s the slightest bit of hard pulling and I can’t even pull on a v3 🤣
Glad to hear the comeback!
Tips 3 : use your whole body.
I usually complete my topout with the classic "chin hook", work every time
I love it, there's always something to work on when warming up. Lately I've been doing long cave routes and focusing on controlling my breathing through every move. Thanks for the tips!
So true! Breathing, hand placement, technique. Warming up is the LEAST stressful time to work on really critical skills!
Thanks for sharing. I really liked the advice on using the whole body. I am pretty much a beginner and sometimes used elbows or hips and always felt awkward (like a real beginner). Also like the idea to see all limbs the same way. Hope you will have more of these kind of advice videos in the future!
I like that - focus on doing the moves right. I plan to work on this.
Thanks for these Louis! This channel is going to churn out the next generation of crushers.
Glad you like them, Miguel!
I'm a beginners beginner in bouldering and during my last session i noticed on one of them i did the technique where you turn your body to reach higher and it felt so good to do a good climbing move instead of just trying to brute force my way through. Especially cuz i don't have much power to brute force with.
Good stuff! I always prioritize performing moves rather than topping a wall. Because you get to the top if you do the moves.
Exaaaactly. If you do the moves well, the top of the wall is the natural result! That's *such* a healthy mindset to have.
2:15 I have used a head jam between wall and a hold on a hard slab. Complete beta break, and the setter was watching me.
This guys gonna get popular, so easy to watch
Hi just got something to fourths point. There are many ways how to climb, even the hardest boulders. So yes, it's important to work on our weaknesses but also to know my own style. Am I flexible? Strong as hell? Do I love to use my legs during climbing? Etc. So, yea, working on weaknesses is good, but breaking the beta with my own style is maybe even better :-)
I use my knees and elbows a lot for flagging to do static moves. This may sound weird, but there is no risk for me since all the moves are done in a very controlled way.
I’ll remember these when I finally get back to climbing again. It’s been over one year now since I last climbed 😭 I will have to strengthen up my tendons again like a beginner!
everything you say is great Louis! I had a session with you when I was visiting the uk in 2018 with an unusable finger. I got so much out of it I still use plenty of it still. I wish youd do more of these! im in new Zealand so coming for more coaching isn't that practical. hopefully next year!
More power to catalyst climbing! Solid content!
Tip 4: yeah I understand your point but also don't forget your strengths because with those skills you can reach your goals more "quickly" (to keep up motivation etc....)
Oh absolutely! It's not a case of only ever trying things we find tougher - we need the positive reinforcement to keep us psyched. It's just remembering that often we avoid things because they feel tough, when that's precisely why we should work on them (it can open up a lot of new styles of climbing!)
Last one is the one I needed to hear. Lately I often find myself surprised by doing the crux part of the problem and then I fall on the next move because I already see myself at the finish hold 🙈
Thank you, Louis. It's nice to hear some tips that pertain to aspiring climbers. Workout routines will make you a stronger climber but not always a better climber. I appreciate the mental game and technique. Keep them coming!
More incoming Jacob. Feel free to put video requests in the comments 😌
Huh, these were actually really good tips/hacks.
From the very depths of Louis 10 years of coaching, these were the ones he thought were most important. They're really transformative, right?
@@CatalystClimbing Totally! I feel stupid after that tape hack. I've been struggling with my tapes peeling off all the time but no more!
Great advice!
Glad you found it useful!
thanks for the amazing tips louis! spot on
Great tips. Thank you
Great tips, thanks!
Great advice and I totally agree with idea about knees, Louis!
🦵😍
Thanks Louie, really good tips! Moving back indoors a bit more so will be good to focus on these rather than just worrying about how dodgy my last bit of gear was... :)
Thanks man these tips have really help me a a lot !!!
Ye man totally
As a new climber, just having someone mention these tips, I know this is going to help out. Great video!
So glad it helped Sirrel. Keep with it, and make sure that above anything else, you keep having fun!
Great tips Louis! Thanks for these. Looking forward to following the videos on the channel.
Thanks for being here, Sean. Always happy to take video suggestions, if you want to post any in the comments 😀
Really like your channel. Anyone ever tell you that you sound sort of like James Veitch?
These are suuuuper helpful and good tips, for real. I will stole them from you guys 😅🙏🏻
Glad you like them! Take them and use them to crush your next climb!
Love the tips and love the energy.
I confirm. All of those are overlooked so easily.
Right?! 😀
These are great hacks. Loved #3. My infamous chinhook has gotten me out or some tight spots.
thank you!
Great tips, Captain!!
Great video thanks for the tips
thank you , really , great video
Been doing tip 4 quite a lot recently of working on my weaknesses, and I find this is giving me much more coverage in overall climbing skill. Vs being good at only certain styles.
Tip 5 is hard to understand. During a project I might struggle on each move at a time. Making one move progression each session. A few sessions later, I am able to speed the first half of the moves, through power and aggression (with technique in muscle memory), so is that bad form then? I agree I do get very excited about finishing and knowing I am so close.
In my opinion making a previously challenging move quite trivial is good practice?
Awesome tips Louis
Thank you
Louis I didn't expect you to classify legs as limbs! Arms are the only legs you need
Disclaimer: despite this advice, louis will still continue to completely ignore his legs. All hail arms, the one true limb!
Good tips keep em coming
Will do. New videos every week, so keep your eyes peeled 👀
Quality advice, thank you subbed
🥰
I love using my knees. Sadly it doesn't look as cool, but honestly, I am able to get around problems where my hip flexibility fails me. At this point people in my local gym have even dubbed me a 'knee climber' hahah
Just happy to see more content from my favorite youtube climber! (Sorry Magnus and Bobats! =p)
Bum jams are the way forward
When in doubt, use the butt! 😂
oh my. everything is my weakness atm 😩😩
That just means you know what to work on! Keep it up and keep going!
... losing ~35kg would massively improve my climbing ;-)
Were chalk
best thing to do is climb with terrible technique on hard climbs just to piss off people watching
im strong but i still suck at climbing
I used a cockbar once.
Hey! Why did the algorithm keep this channel from me for so long? Not cool TH-cam.
We only launched two weeks ago 😶. I think it's more a case of "why didn't we launch the channel sooner" 🙄
kneeeeeeeees!!!!! nope
Be Bri'ish
I'm not impressed