Periodization
Planning For The Off-Season
Tags: limiters, Periodization, Planning, Steve Bechtel, weaknesses
By Steve Bechtel It seems weird to start looking at time off from outdoor climbing right in the middle of the outdoor season, but I think it is more and more essential to come into each season-even the off-season or training season-with a solid plan to help you get the most out of it. When…
Tactical Periodization
Tags: Periodization, Planning, Recovery, Tactical Periodization
by Steve Bechtel The first time I worked out, I was amazed at how hard repeating a specific move over and over again could feel. I had been in PE class and had played around with other kids my whole life, but when I joined the football team in fifth grade was the first time…
Fundamentals of Program Design
Tags: Periodization, Planning, Program Design, Programming
It has never been a better time to be a performance-oriented rock climber. In the past few years there has been an explosion of good information on training, and a huge number of great tools to help you train. From better handhold designs, to improved hangboards, to ingenious tools such as the Tension Block, we…
Bouldering Training – Advanced Undulating Program – 4 weeks
Tags: Bouldering, Periodization, Training Plans
The problem with getting good at bouldering is that getting even better gets even harder. An avid boulderer has a pretty steady improvement in strength and ability over the first year or two, and then often falls into a rhythm of getting in and out of shape for basically the same grades over and over….
In-Depth: Block Periodization
Tags: block periodization, Block Planning, in-depth video, Periodization, Planning
Block Periodization from Steve Bechtel on Vimeo. Block Periodization is an ideal way of combining all of the facets of fitness for climbing. More subtile than a traditional approach, this is best for highly experienced athletes.
Training Beta Podcast 036 | Steve Bechtel on Climbing as Training, Periodization Confusion, Change Psychology and more
Tags: change psychology, finger training, neely quinn, Periodization, podcast, training beta
My second interview with Training Beta went in depth on change psychology, confusion on periodization, practice techniques, and more. Please listen below. Podcast is on iTunes is HERE Direct Download: LINK Date: November 25th, 2015 About Steve Bechtel I was honored and excited to interview the great Steve Bechtel for a second time. Steve is a long-time climber…
More Block Periodization Explanation
Tags: block periodization, Periodization, Programming, Q+A
There was a thread comparing different periodization strategies over at Mountain Project (http://www.mountainproject.com/v/block-periodization-linear-periodization–non-linear-periodization/108438729 ). I wrote this explanation to contrast this model with the classical model. Not sure if it’s necessary here or not… I remember when I first read about periodization. It was revelatory in an almost religious sense. Finally there was a clear…
Brick Programming
Tags: Density Training, General Training, Periodization, Planning, Power Endurance, Program Design, Tactics
By Steve Bechtel Going bouldering is not training. If you’re one of the lucky few, you can hit the gym a couple of nights a week and continue to get strong, avoid injury, and enjoy the sport. Most of us, though, will reach a plateau where progress is no longer possible on the “whatever” plan,…
More On Periodization
Tags: Bompa, Charlie Francis, Periodization, Planning, Program Design
By Steve Bechtel I remember the first time I learned about classical periodization plans. The whole idea of planning out my training according to easily defined phases which would lead to spectacular results appealed to the eternally plateaued climber in me much the way x-ray specs appealed to me as a nine-year-old. I tried a…
Call it What You Want, Periodized Training Works
Tags: Bompa, conjugate periodization, Matveyev, nonlinear periodization, Periodization, Planning, Program Design
By Steve Bechtel I get a ton of questions about whether periodization is effective. The answer, unequivocally, is yes, periodized training works. The confusion comes in that many climbers don’t really know what periodization is. In fact, many climbing coaches read an article or two about classic periodization models (i.e. Bompa or Matveyev) and they…