Performance Profiles: -

Climbing by its nature imposes great demands on both physical and mental abilities. Like most sports, climbers grade ability on a numerical grading system where the higher the grade the more severe the demands. Each climb or boulder problem imposes different stresses so it is crucial that a climber develops the appropriate skills if they are to succeed on a route or problem. The most effective method to develop these skills is through practice i.e. training. The principle of training is relatively simple you systematically overload the system with sufficient intensity, duration and frequency to result in a measurable training adaptation. Unfortunately the stress required to produce performance improvements varies not only from one individual to another, but also with age.

Programs, which outline predetermined levels of intensity and duration, may result in slight improvements but from my experience, do not actual address that individual's specific weaknesses. Yes I said weaknesses even the strongest climbers have areas in their climbing that could be improved with an appropriate intervention. So the question on everyone's minds should be how do I identify these weak areas? Well that's fairly easy to answer, Performance Profiles.
(Click on the Performance Profile Web Diagram to download the PDF file).