FOLLOW US
Regular self-assessment is a powerful tool to determine your true weaknesses/strengths so that you can accurately design a training program that works. Of course, nothing is more important to elevating performance than on-the-rock experience, so in this first of an eight-part self-assessment you’ll gauge how your level of experience plays into your current ability level. In taking this month’s assessment you’ll come to better understand what things you can do to better expand your experiential skills.
Check back each month for a new self-assessment–you can compare your scores to previous month’s assessment, thus enabling you to identify the two or three areas most holding you back (these would be the lower scoring assessments). Similarly, survey your answers question-by-question to identify specific weaknesses that should become the bull’s eye of your training program.
Evaluate Your Climbing Experience
Select the answer that most accurately describes your current abilities and modus operandi.
1. How long have you been climbing?
1—less than six months, 2—six to twelve months, 3—one to four years, 4—five to ten years, 5—more than ten years
2. On average, how many days per month to do you climb (both indoors and outdoors)?
1—one day or less, 2—two or three days, 3—four to eight days, 4—nine to twelve days, 5—more than twelve days
3. How many different climbing areas and gyms have you visited in the last year?
1—just one, 2—two to four, 3—five to nine, 4—ten to fifteen, 5—more than fifteen
4. How many of the following styles of climbing have you been active in over the last year? (Bouldering, gym climbing, sport climbing, follow trad climbs, leading trad climbs, big walls)
1—one or two, 2—three, 3—four, 4—five, 5—six
5. How many of the following types of climbing have you engaged in over the last three months? (slab climbing, face climbing, crack climbing, overhanging face climbing, pocket climbing, roofs)
1—one or two, 2—three, 3—four, 4—five, 5—six
Analysis
Add up your scores for each question, then use the scale below to assess your level of climbing experience.
23 – 25: You are well on your way to mastery!
20 – 22: Your experience is above average.
15 – 19: Your experience is typical for the “average” climber.
10 – 14: Your experience is limited or narrow in scope, but huge gains await you given a commitment to climb more often and explore new types of climbing.
5 – 9: As a novice climber you possess tremendous potential to improve. A regular schedule of climbing and a willingness to stretch your boundaries will yield rapid gains in ability.
Set Goals
Review questions that scored three or less, and then set a specific goal for improvement in each area. Write down what actions you plan to take and a time frame for attaining this goal. For example, if you scored three or fewer points on question 3, you could set a goal to visit ten new climbing areas in the next year.
Copyright 2009 Eric J. Hörst. All rights reserved.