Gimme Kraft - Effective Climbing Training
Gimme Kraft is the latest climbing training book to come out of Germany, and like many Euro training tomes, it offers a scientific and systematic approach for improving climbing performance on rock or plastic. But unlike some other books that make similar claims, Gimme Kraft focuses primarily on improving a climber’s strength and power - after all, the book’s title loosely translates to “give me power.” And in this respect, Gimme Kraft delivers the goods.
The book consists of different chapters that focus on a variety of exercises, each with a particular training apparatus. The exercises are further categorized by their difficulty, explosiveness (power), whether they create a balanced physique and if they are suitable for younger climbers. What the book does not provide is a one-size-fits-all training approach - climbers will need to read the book and determine what routines and exercises are best for them. In fact, the book requires a level of commitment from the reader that’s not unlike what’s required when starting a training program.
While some of the routines will be familiar, many of the exercises reflect the most current training techniques and may surprise North American climbers who think training consists of going to the gym and hucking laps on a boulder problem. All the information is clearly presented with refreshingly jargon-free language, but some may initially find the bilingual (German/English) format a bit distracting. Finally, the book also comes with a DVD that provides insight into the legendary Wolfgang Güllich’s training approach.
Any climber looking to improve their strength and power should get this book. Highly recommended.
To purchase Gimme Kraft go to www.gimmekraft.com.
Follow the discussion of this and other climbing issues at ontarioclimbing.com/forum.
While some of the routines will be familiar, many of the exercises reflect the most current training techniques and may surprise North American climbers who think training consists of going to the gym and hucking laps on a boulder problem. All the information is clearly presented with refreshingly jargon-free language, but some may initially find the bilingual (German/English) format a bit distracting. Finally, the book also comes with a DVD that provides insight into the legendary Wolfgang Güllich’s training approach.
Any climber looking to improve their strength and power should get this book. Highly recommended.
Gimme Kraft!® Trailer from cafekraft on Vimeo.
To purchase Gimme Kraft go to www.gimmekraft.com.
Follow the discussion of this and other climbing issues at ontarioclimbing.com/forum.
