The ability to grip with the hands is important not just for climbing, but for many sports and occupations. Most grip devices (e.g., spring loaded squeeze devices) are not functional; that is, they do not directly apply to gripping that one does in real life. Moreover, they do not have a clear way to progress to stronger grips. Enter the functional and progressive Grip Cat, now under prototype III:

By using it I’ve noticed is that grip ability can be developed quickly. Gripping involves not just strength, but a type of hand coordination. To work that hand coordination, you need functional training, as you get with this device.

The full-page pdf is here: Grip Cat III poster

The description and instructions are here:  Grip Cat III routines and description  (Also posted under the “Training Guides” menu.)

The foot logo emphasizes the importance of the foot in climbing. But climbing is a whole body movement. More like this logo:

Fingers or feet? To the outsider, the sport of bouldering appears to rely largely on the upper body, particularly the fingers. But some top boulderers seem to win instead because of better footwork. Yes, they have very strong fingers, but their footwork pushes them over the top. So, for high-level bouldering, both the fingers and the feet are crucial.

And yet few climbers train their foot technique.

But… if you train mostly your footwork, can you still boulder competitively?

It’s possible. As one example, I recently entered my first-ever competition, the Boulderham 2016. And, after a year and a half of largely avoiding the gym, doing mainly foot training on our soon-to-be released CAT Station, I placed 1st in the master’s division.

(Above, on a warm-up route at Boulderham, 2016, at Vital Rock Gym in Bellingham, WA.)

Why do few people train their footwork? The answer is probably a combination of factors, but one of them must be the lack of good footwork-training devices. Resolving this factor is our main mission. We aim to have more and more people using footboards such as the CAT.

Other benefits Other than doing better at competitions, foot training has other benefits. In general, it adds to your workout, working the larger leg muscles as well as the smaller foot muscles. In general, practicing foot moves seems to increase coordination and flexibility as well. And by using your feet more, you may be less likely to injure your fingers and shoulders.

The original concept   MC started with the idea that climbers should have training gear for footwork. In 2014, I made my first “footboard” and started refining the concept through 2015, when it became part of a full-on training station, covering both general conditioning, footwork technique, and strength training. Look for the “CAT” (conditioning and technique) board and CAT Station to be advertised later in 2016. In the meantime, we have begun prototyping smaller gear that we plan to release this spring. One item is designed to increase grip strength, another that focuses more on finger and shoulder strength.

Above, a “heel lock-off” move on the CAT board.