It’s inevitable: when you think about it, after several years of climbing experience, there are certainly a thing or two that you would have liked to know back when you first started. Whether it’s to avoid an injury, to get better faster or to break a physical or mental barrier that you thought to be so indestructible, here are the best tips from some members of the Bloc Shop team.
The general approach
Don’t think too much about the grades! This is the advice most often repeated by the team. Climbing grades are subjective and always keep in mind that a bunch of factors (sometimes beyond our control) can affect whether or not you climb a particular grade. Team Pro athlete Ariane Sisavath says, “It’s just an indicator. Whether you climb the grade or not doesn’t define you as a person. »
Brush the holds. For yourself and for others! That’s what Véronique Gosselin, also a Team Pro athlete, recommends. Plus, it’s the best way to avoid slipping unexpectedly on volumes or holds.
Have fun! It’s something you can forget when you focus too much on performance, but after all, that’s the reason why we practice this sport. This is what staff member Zoey Bouchard advises you most.
Don’t be embarrassed to climb in front of others. That’s what Mich, one of the partners, would advise you to do. “I feel like what stops people is a bit of fear, or embarrassment. And what I’d like to tell them [is that] people are not looking at you. And most importantly, they are not judging you.”
The technical aspect
Try the harder boulders. We often see it: a V5 climber, for example, who doesn’t dare try a V7, because it’s way passed their climbing grade. According to Seb Lazure, it’s by trying harder boulders that you can learn new moves and it helps your progress.
Work on your weaknesses. It’s tempting to hold on to your favourite style and only do what you’re best at. Maude-Émilie suggests that you take the time to practice your weaknesses, even if it means doing fewer boulders in a session. This is also the advice of our coach Mélissa Lacasse, who says that in the long run, it makes the best climbers.
Don’t hesitate to ask questions. The Bloc Shop team is made up of 100% climbing enthusiasts. Don’t hesitate to ask them questions, to better understand a boulder or to get some explanations. You can also turn to other climbers or observe their climbing, to better grasp the movements. A curious climber will always learn faster!
Climb a lot! This is what Nathan Smith, a member of the Pro Team, would advise you to do. When you start climbing, it’s important to build a good base. Think of it as a pyramid. The more boulders you complete before moving on to the next level, the more you will reach the next level with a good base of knowledge and experience. In fact, don’t hesitate to redo boulders you have already completed before. You will always be able to climb it better and more efficiently. In the long run, you will come out a winner.
The mental aspect
Don’t set limits for yourself. I remember not so long ago, I used to think that certain boulders were impossible for me. Today, I can do them on the first try and it’s harder boulders that seem impossible. What I’ve learned after a few years of training is that with perseverance and disciplined work, everyone can progress. If you are confident in your path and you value the learning process, you will progress faster and have more fun!
Don’t compare yourself to others. Every journey is different and not everyone progresses in the same way. A common example is body types. A taller person could do a boulder that a smaller, more experienced person can’t, and vice versa. Avoid comparing yourself to others, this is what Anne-Fred advises you to do.
Injury prevention
Learn how to manage your ego. “I’ve injured myself many times, in my inexperience, by getting angry and repeating the same move or exercise too many times,” says Antoine. That’s also what Maude-Émilie advises: “Don’t get angry when it doesn’t work.” Too many times we let our pride or emotion take over. Sometimes we are able to do a move and the next day we can’t. Your body may be tired and it’s not worth getting hurt.
Warm up! This is also a tip that often comes up within the crew. One recipe that works well is to activate your muscles on the floor for 15 minutes and warm up by doing a few general exercises (pull ups, push ups, squats and bicep curls). Then, gradually climb boulders, while staying attentive to all parts of the body. Before trying boulders with very small holds, take the time to activate and warm up your fingers.
Rare are the climbers who have never had pain or minor injuries. With the regular practice of a sport, it is normal to be a little sore or to have slight irritations during a repetitive movement. A common mistake is to ignore the obvious signs of injury. Instead of waiting and hoping it will go away, go see a specialist, find the source of the problem and take the time to fix it. “Don’t break your body, it’s not worth it,” Victor would tell you. Our therapists Julien Descheneaux and Alex Trudeau would agree! But if that happens, don’t hesitate to contact them to get better!
