Building a HIT System Wall

Use an overhanging bouldering wall of 3/4-inch plywood at an angle of 45 to 55 degrees past vertical. HIT workouts on a 55-degree (past vertical) wall are significantly harder than the common 45-degree wall. If you are building a wall for HIT workouts, I advise a compromised angle of 50 degrees (with a 24-inch “kicker board”), since I have optimized the HIT Strip design for use on walls of this angle. Wall angles overhanging less than 45 degrees are not suggested for HIT workouts. Wall angles overhanging less than 45 degrees are not suitable for HIT workouts, as they require excessive (and dan gerous) amounts of added weight to produce timely failure. Walls beyond 55 degrees should not be used for HIT workouts.

Sitting on the floor under the wall, mount the first HIT Strip at top-of-head height (on my wall the bottom of the first HIT Strip is 38 inches up the wall from the kicker board). Mount four more strips at 18-inch intervals (or slightly less if you have a shorter wall). Two pinch holds are positioned above the first HIT Strip at shoulder width. The remaining pinch holds are mounted above the remaining HIT Strips at similar intervals. Scatter a variety of small- to medium-sized foot holds between each strip and at least one foot either side of the HIT Strips.

Alternatively, you can rig a HIT-type setup using groups of identical modular holds. Of course, you’ll need 10 identical two finger pocket holds, 10 identical crimp holds, 10 identical open-hand buckets, and 10 identical pinch holds that are all “usable” on a 50-degree overhanging wall. If you don’t have these holds it will cost you as much or more than the complete HIT System to purchase them. Furtherm ore, use of the actual HIT Strips will help maintain your focus on the goal of using only the specific grip being trained, whereas using modular holds tends to encourage a “break” from the training sequence as you get pumped. That is, you’ll naturally start grabbing holds other than the grip being trained and, thus, dilute the targeted nature of the HIT workout. HIT Strips are truly vital to making the workout, well, work!

Yes, a HIT Strip System is a significant investment equal to a pair of climbing shoes and a rope. Unlike the shoes and rope, however, HIT will empower you to climb harder AND last for many years of training fun! Read the HIT Testimonials if you are on the fence as to whether or not HIT is for you.

Note that the HIT Strip System is available in a 4-Strip set and a 5-Strip “Classic” set . The 5-Strip “HIT Classic” is ideal for anyone with a wall (ceiling) height of 7-feet, 6-inches or greater. Shorter walls will allow installation of only 4 Strips and 6 pinches.