Low-Stress Campus Training
Developed nearly 20 years ago by the late Wolfgang Güllich, Campus Training (CT) has become a fundamental training technique for intermediate to advanced climbers specializing in bouldering and sport climbing. Regardless of your current level of strength, I believe that you can quickly add 10 percent (or more) to your contact strength and power with just a few weeks of CT. Of course, such a gain is significant and could translate to a one or two letter- or V-grade increase in climbing ability.
The effectiveness of CT comes from neurological adaptations (not actual muscle growth) shown to result from plyometric-type training exercises. While CT is a dilute form of the plyometric training used by elite athletes in other sports, it remains one of the most effective training methods for climbers. Unfortunately, CT is dismissed by many climbers as “too dangerous.”
The fact is, most injuries related to CT result from overtraining and/or misuse of the most advance Double-Dyno CT exercise. Please note that there are less-risky, lower-stress CT exercises that many climbers safely use as part of their training program.
In this first article on Campus Training, I’ll present two staple exercises that you can put to work today to increase your lock-off strength, power, and contact strength (ability to stick small edges). Future articles will detail several more advanced exercises.
Laddering
This is one of the best exercises for developing upper body power. Just as the name says, this exercise involves laddering hand-over-hand and with no-feet up the board. Descend the board in the same fashion, and repeat until failure. To help quantify your training, it helps to number the rungs from bottom to top. Therefore, initially you might ladder up rungs 1-2-3-4-5, but progress to a more powerful 1-3-5 sequence as your strength and power increase. First-time CT users should perform just three total sets, whereas well-trained individuals may do anywhere from three to six sets. Rest for three to five minutes between sets.
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Touches (aka “Lock-offs”)
This exercise trains lock-off strength as well as contact grip strength. Begin by hanging from the bottom rung of the board. Pull-up with both hands, then in a continuous motion lunge up with one hand to grab the highest rung possible (usually the 3rd of 4th rung, depending on the spacing). Lock-off here for 3 second then drop back down to the starting hold and return to a hanging position. Immediately, pull back up and lunge with the opposite hand to grab a high rung. Again, hold the lock-off for 3 seconds before dropping back down to a two-handed hang. Continue in this alternating fashion for up to 12 total touches (difficult). Ideal form would be a solid 3-second lock-off at the top positions, but only an instant of pause at the bottom position before launching back up with the next touch. Begin with just one set on each side, but build to a total of three sets per side over the course of a year. Rest for three to five minutes between sets.
Campus Training Guidelines
Engage in Campus Training only if you are an intermediate to advanced climber (able to toprope at least 5.11 or boulder V4) with at least two years of sport-specific training under your belt AND no recent history of finger or arm injury.
Warm-up thoroughly; this should include about 30 minutes of progressively more difficult bouldering. Consider reinforcing the base of your fingers with a few tight turns of athletic tape. Emphasize quality over quantity.
Four quality sets on the campus board is far better than eight sloppy, poorly executed sets. Remember, campus training is only a small portion of a good strength training workout–make it the central part of your training program and you may get injured.
Do not campus train while in a state of high fatigue–it’s vital to maintain good technique and high quality execution (i.e. not “catching” with completely straight arms, which stresses the shoulders).
End the training session immediately upon any sign of joint or tendon pain.
CT a maximum of twice per week, and cycle two weeks “on” and two weeks “off”.
About NICROS new EH Campus Training Rungs
Wolfgang’s original campus board used dowels as rungs. Since then a variety of wooden and plastic strips have hit the market, but none as unique as outs. We believe Nicros’ new EH Campus Training Rungs are the paramount platform available for several reasons:
1. Variable depth of gripping surface. Each rung ranges from about 3/4-inch depth near the ends up to a full inch near the middle. This way you can begin each set using the smaller outside portion, then gradually work your hands inward as your grip tires.
2. Curved profile. Each rung tapers slightly downward toward its ends making for a more ergonomic grip position. The goal is to have all four fingers on the rung, and our curved design helps facilitate near-equal training of all fingers.
3. No skin-tearing texture. Our proprietary Zero-Tex™ surface makes for the most comfortable campus training possible.
The EH Campus Training Rungs are available beginning January 3, 2005!
