Sara 
The tripod position is a foundational climbing technique that helps climbers stay balanced and controlled while moving. By maintaining three points of contact with the wall, climbers can stabilize their body and move more efficiently between holds. This technique appears on nearly every climb and is especially important when preparing to move or reaching for … Read more
Smearing is a climbing technique that uses the rubber of a climbing shoe against the wall for friction instead of relying on a defined foothold. By pressing the shoe directly against the rock or wall, climbers can maintain balance and continue moving even when footholds are small or nonexistent. This technique appears frequently on slab … Read more
Beta reading is the process of studying a climb and planning the sequence of movements before you start climbing. Instead of figuring everything out mid-climb, climbers use beta reading to identify holds, anticipate body positions, and visualize how they will move through the route. This technique happens before leaving the ground and helps climbers climb … Read more
Hip turns are a fundamental climbing technique used to improve reach, balance, and efficiency. By rotating the hips toward the wall, climbers can position their bodies closer to the next hold while using less upper-body strength. This technique appears on nearly every climb and is especially helpful when holds are offset or when additional reach … Read more
Climbing with straight arms is one of the most important techniques for conserving energy and climbing efficiently. Instead of pulling with bent elbows, this technique allows climbers to rely more on body positioning and leg movement. Straight arms appear on nearly every climb and are especially important on longer routes or steep terrain where arm … Read more
Using your toes is one of the most fundamental climbing techniques and one of the first skills every climber should learn. It affects balance, reach, efficiency, and control, and shows up on nearly every climb, regardless of grade or style. This technique is less about strength and more about precision and intention. Learning to use … Read more
Ever feel like you’re climbing all the time but not actually getting better? You show up to the gym, try hard, maybe even work on some projects—but weeks (or months) later, it feels like you’re stuck at the same level. Sound familiar? Here’s the thing: climbing progress isn’t always obvious. Some improvements—like better footwork, more … Read more
What if you could improve your climbing in just 10 minutes per session? Most climbers think the only way to get better is by climbing more or grinding through long training sessions. But here’s the truth—quality matters more than quantity. You don’t need to spend hours training; you just need focused, intentional practice to refine … Read more
Ever feel like no matter how much you climb, you’re not actually getting better? You show up to the gym, put in the effort, maybe even try some harder routes—but weeks (or months) later, you’re still stuck at the same grade. Sound familiar? Many climbers assume that just climbing more will naturally lead to progress. … Read more
Ever feel like no matter how much you climb, you’re not improving as fast as you’d like? As a climbing coach, I see this all the time—climbers working hard but still feeling stuck. The problem isn’t a lack of effort; it’s small, common mistakes that make climbing harder than it needs to be. The good … Read more