Lattice. If you ain’t training, you ain’t gaining. Right? A few thoughts on the online rock climbing training platform

‍

Balanced on the wall, and the kettlebells slung together, dangling below a harness. A curious climber noticed an open Crimpd app on a phone. They couldn’t help but ask...

Are you using Lattice training? What's it like? Is it worth it? This is a common conversation at the hangboard of a busy gym. 

These are good questions. What is the answer?

‍

LATTICE TRAINING IS THE WORLD’S FIRST SYSTEMATIC ASSESSMENT AND TRAINING TOOL FOR CLIMBING.
LATTICE OFFERS CLIMBING ASSESSMENTS TO MEASURE A CLIMBER’S STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES THROUGH DATA-LED PROFILING TOOLS; CLIMBING TRAINING PLANS TO ADDRESS THOSE WEAKNESSES; AND A RANGE OF TRAINING TOOLS TO HELP GET STRONG!

‍

Will lattice make me stronger? Will it bring me a step closer to becoming a climber like Ondra or Margo? Is a lattice training plan the answer to getting to that next grade? Lattice can help take you part way with the right mindset and commitment. The problem is that training for climbing is complicated. It takes a lot of trial and error. It takes self awareness which unfortunately doesn’t come in an app. However Lattice has managed to take some of the guesswork out of training. So is it worth it? The answer is, a definitive…….Maybe. 

‍

The lattice assessments and profiling give a good insight into your current ability, and where you need to be to reach those lofty goals. However, If you are using those numbers and test results as a direct guide to your performance, it can get a little blurry. 

Results of the Lattice climbing assessment can land anywhere on the V-grade spectrum, in ways that would surprise you. If you are very literal this can be confusing. It may not accurately reflect your current level of ability. That's where it pays to take the results with a grain of salt. If I'm X strong I should be able to climb Y hard right? No, not exactly. Pay attention to the numbers, but don’t get too attached.

‍

Like all performance, the most important factor is what you're doing with the strengths and weaknesses you have. Efficiency of movement, time outdoors on real rock. Understanding the nuances of climbing. Every spare moment at the fingerboard doesn't always transfer directly from gym to crag. It's important to gauge your progression, and see where to fill in the gaps. Lattice does a great job of that. It's our job to do the rest though.

‍

There is a lot to be said when it comes to training, but don’t forget why you started in the first place, to climb. The training loads can be high and if you're the sort of person that has to tick off everything on the checklist it might be too much. It will easily eat into time that could actually be better spent climbing. To get the most out of it, plan exactly how much time you can spend training. Enough that still allows you to put in good miles on real rock or the comp wall if that's your caper. 

‍

The importance of climbing to climb can't be understated. Climbing autonomously, naturally, allows us to play. In that, we gain the awareness of how to move. What works, what doesn't, what needs attention and also what we enjoy the most. Ensuring you spend time playing with free movement will compliment the training.

‍

The pressure of comparison against others and the allure of mutant strength, is a sure fire way to waste your money on a plan, overload yourself, get injured and mentally implode . It's a long game at times. Remember you are on your own journey. Maintain a healthy relationship with your training. Learn how to focus, when to grind and when to take the foot of the gas. The rise, fall and plateau they're all there waiting on the road to success. Wave hello when you see them, you will. 

‍

Be consistent. Slow and steady can win the race. Considering all the things mentioned above, consistency is a major factor in how quickly or how well you improve. Which is why balance and patience are virtues not to be overlooked. Scenario: you train super hard, your body isn't ready, you explode, then you eat cake for 8 weeks till you repeat the same cycle again. It takes a toll, a big one. Mentally. Train consistently and mindfully, then the session when you drop the clutch will make a difference and the projects don't seem like distant horizons from the side-line. 

‍

Back to Lattice. My experience when it comes to communication is that Lattice is brilliant. Listening to feedback from the climbing community they have evolved and adjusted fast. Quick responses, concise information and individual plan corrections. If you have a plan, ask the questions, voice your concerns or confusion, it'll be answered. In fact, that is a great credo to have for progression in general. Even if you don’t do Lattice feedback is important, ask for it. To your climbing partners, ask if they notice anything you don’t? How do you do this? etc. Being self made is a myth, don't fall into that trap.

‍

Overall, having the help to assess and target weaknesses, frees the burden of making sense of all the training information out there. The Crimpd app is brilliant, the training modules have clear video demonstrations and the ability to track your progress. Having a better understanding of where you're at and how to get where you want to be, is powerful. It's simple and convenient. Especially when it's used as a tool and not the magic bullet. 

‍

‍

The Take Home. 

Training, obviously, is critical to our progression. But to make it “worth it” perhaps as or more important, is our relationship to it. 

‍

Finger strength, power endurance etc the numbers are very important when it comes to tracking and improving, but don't fall into the trap of thinking it's the lynch pin of your success. You might be able to tighten up the bolts on the harbour bridge by hand. But If you can't climb the slab top out of your project you’re gonna feel like a goose. Learn how to breathe, know how to move, it’s all important. 

‍

Above all, work on your mindset. Learning and adaptation is most effective with a positive curious mindset. Experiment, try other training programs, make them up for yourself. Climb with people, climb lots, pay attention and have fun. Maintain a healthy balance of trying hard, listening hard and resting hard. 

Train to be better, not just stronger.

Written by: Patrick Reynolds