The Climbing Primer

Training & Progression

How to keep improving without picking up an injury. These guides explain how grades work, both the V-scale for bouldering and the roped scales used for top-rope and lead, and what it means to project a climb that is at your limit. You build climbing-specific strength gradually, add some core and antagonist work to stay balanced, and above all you just climb more. One firm caution runs through all of it: beginners should avoid hangboarding and aggressive finger training, because climbing tendons take months to adapt and are easy to hurt early. Time on the wall is the safest, fastest training there is.

Training & Progression

4 guides

Training & Progression

Should Beginners Hangboard? (Why You Should Wait)

Thinking about finger training? Here's why most beginners should skip the hangboard for at least a year and what to do instead to build strength safely.

August 13, 2026

Training & Progression

What Is Projecting in Climbing?

Projecting means working a climb that's beyond your current ability over multiple sessions until you finally send it. Here's how beginners can do it right.

July 30, 2026

Training & Progression

How to Get Better at Climbing as a Beginner

Want to improve at climbing? The biggest gains come from technique and climbing often, not strength training. Here's how to progress as a beginner.

July 16, 2026

Training & Progression

How Climbing Grades Work (V-Scale and Roped Scales)

A plain-language guide to climbing grades explained: the V-scale for bouldering, YDS for roped climbing, and what the numbers actually mean for beginners.

July 2, 2026

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