Intermediate Sport Climber - Build-up 1 (PE)

Power-endurance development for sport climbers (6c-7b). 3 sessions/week focusing on interval training and capacity building.

At a Glance

Time per Session
60-90 min/session
Frequency
3 sessions/week
Equipment
Gym only
Prerequisites
6+ months climbing experience
9
Excellent Effectiveness
Top 15% of all training programs

Based on scientific research, community feedback, and proven results from climbers at your level.

Focus Areas:
power-endurance
capacity
interval-training
sport-climbing
route-climbing

Program Overview

Optimized Build-up 1 (PE) program for intermediate sport climbers (6c-7b)

Developing power-endurance capacity through interval work with incomplete recovery to build tolerance to fatigue.

This program follows Carlos V3 methodology with genetic algorithm optimization. It provides a complete week of training (Week 1 of the 3+1 pattern) that you can repeat with volume adjustments:

  • Week 1: 80% volume (introduction)
  • Week 2: 100% volume (build)
  • Week 3: 110% volume (peak)
  • Week 4: 60% volume (deload)

Program Details

Training Frequency: 3 sessions/week Session Duration: 150 minutes Target Level: 6c-7b (French) / 5.11a-5.12a (US) Fitness Score: 8.5/10

Weekly Schedule

Monday - Power-Endurance Intervals

Warm-up (20 min)

  • Easy climbing: 10-15 routes at 5c-6a
  • Dynamic movement prep
  • Shoulder mobility

Main Block (90 min)

  • 4x4 Boulder Intervals: 4 problems, 4 times through

    • Intensity: 85% max
    • Rest: 3 min between rounds
    • Total: ~200 moves
  • Route Intervals (6c-7a)

    • 4 routes × 2 attempts each
    • Incomplete rest (3-4 min)
    • Focus: Maintaining intensity while pumped

Cool-down (20 min)

  • Easy traversing
  • Antagonist work: Push-ups, reverse wrist curls
  • Stretching

Wednesday - Capacity Building

Warm-up (20 min)

  • Progressive climbing 5c → 6b
  • Route reading practice

Main Block (90 min)

  • Linked Boulder Problems

    • 3-4 problems linked together
    • 6 sets total
    • Rest: 5 min between sets
  • Continuous Climbing

    • 20-30 min of non-stop movement
    • Grade: 6a-6b+
    • Focus: Pace management and efficiency

Strength Block (30 min)

  • Hangboard Repeaters
    • 7 sec on, 3 sec off × 6 reps
    • 3 sets per grip type
    • Intensity: 80% max

Cool-down (10 min)

  • Light stretching
  • Core activation

Sunday - Route Volume

Warm-up (15 min)

  • Easy climbing and mobility

Main Block (110 min)

  • High-Volume Route Climbing

    • 15-20 routes at 6b-7a
    • Focus: Movement quality and efficiency
    • Rest: As needed for quality
  • Project Attempts

    • 2-3 routes at 7a-7b
    • Work the moves, practice sequences
    • Mental focus: Staying calm when pumped

Cool-down (15 min)

  • Easy downclimbing
  • Antagonist exercises
  • Full-body stretching

Training Focus

Developing power-endurance capacity through interval work. Higher intensity with incomplete recovery to build tolerance to fatigue. This phase prepares you for the power phase by increasing your capacity to handle high-intensity work.

Key Principles

  • Follow CNS-demand ordering: HIGH → MEDIUM → LOW within each session
  • Maintain proper rest periods between sets and exercises
  • Adjust volume according to the 3+1 week pattern
  • Listen to your body and adjust if experiencing pain or excessive fatigue
  • Stay hydrated and fuel properly for long sessions

Equipment Required

  • Indoor climbing wall
  • Hangboard/fingerboard (for finger strength exercises)
  • Timer
  • Training log
  • Climbing shoes (1-2 pairs)
  • Chalk

Grade Conversion

  • 6c (French) ≈ 5.11a (US)
  • 7a (French) ≈ 5.11c (US)
  • 7b (French) ≈ 5.12a (US)

Generated using Carlos V3 methodology + Genetic Algorithm optimization

What You'll Get

  • 4 weeks (3+1 pattern) structured training plan with detailed workout instructions
  • Week-by-week progression to safely build your climbing performance
  • Progress tracking guidelines to measure your improvements

Target Audience

Ideal For

  • • Those wanting to improve power-endurance
  • • Can train 3 sessions/week
  • • Committed to a 4 weeks (3+1 pattern) training cycle

⚠️ Not Recommended If

  • • Currently dealing with climbing injuries
  • • Unable to commit to the required training frequency

Training Topics Trending This Week

What the community is discussing right now

  • Technique vs Measurable Training
    1+ mentions
  • Board Climbing Grading Issues
    1+ mentions
  • Indoor vs Outdoor Performance Gap
    1+ mentions
  • Pulley Injury Management
    1+ mentions
  • Weight Loss for Performance
    1+ mentions
  • Skin Care on New Holds
    1+ mentions

Success Stories

Real results from climbers in the community

Program: Consistent training (8+ weeks)
Result: "Feeling much stronger than spring, consistently ripping off in-style V10s"
⏱️ ~6 months
Experienced outdoor boulderer
Program: Hand of God training
Result: User reports significant progress (details withheld)
⏱️ Unknown
Advanced climber willing to share detailed update
Program: Movement skills focus over pure strength
Result: V10 send with injured finger
⏱️ Session
Experienced climber with pulley injury

Common Questions

Questions the community is asking about this topic

  1. **Finger strength session frequency** - "What's the ideal rest window between finger strength sessions for best gains and injury prevention?"
  2. **Sport climbing pump management** - "Half my onsight attempts fail because I'm too pumped to clip - training tips?"
  3. **Power endurance necessity** - "Should I add PE training if I can do moves individually but struggle to link them?"
  4. **Weight loss vs strength maintenance** - "How to structure training to lose 3-5kg while maintaining climbing gains?"
  5. **Technique improvement with strength base** - Multiple strong climbers asking how to develop movement skills

Pain Points & Problems

Challenges climbers are facing

  • Grading inconsistency on training boards (high frequency) - V0s that feel like V4s causing beginner frustration
    low frequency
  • Skin damage from new gym holds (moderate frequency) - Aggressive textured holds shredding fingerpads
    low frequency
  • Slow progression plateau (moderate frequency) - Climbers stuck at grades despite consistent training
    low frequency
  • Indoor/outdoor translation issues (moderate frequency) - Gym fitness not transferring to rock
    low frequency
  • Injury derailing seasons (ongoing concern) - Pulley injuries and other setbacks
    low frequency
  • Plateau frustration (high frequency): Multiple users stuck at grades for 6+ months despite consistent training
    low frequency

Program Mentions Summary

How the community feels about related programs

Spray wall circuits
positive sentiment for skill building vs pure measurability
positive
3+ mentions
Max hangs/repeaters
mixed sentiment, questions about frequency and application
mixed
4+ mentions
Board climbing (Moonboard/Tension)
positive for skill but grading concerns
positive
8+ mentions
Lattice finger strength plan
positive, being followed consistently
positive
1+ mentions
4x4 protocols
neutral/questioning for power endurance needs
neutral
2+ mentions

Key Insights for ClimbingBrowser

Strategic insights from community analysis

  • 💡Technique over metrics focus needed: Advanced climbers questioning pure strength metrics vs climbing-specific skills - opportunity for movement-focused programs
  • 💡Beginner board climbing gap: Major disconnect between V0-V3 board grades and actual difficulty - need realistic entry-level board progressions
  • 💡Indoor/outdoor bridging required: Clear need for programs that better translate gym training to outdoor performance
  • 💡Injury prevention education: Pulley injuries and skin management are ongoing concerns requiring proactive protocols
  • 💡Grade consolidation programs: Climbers struggling with consistency at achieved grades rather than pure progression - need stability-focused training
  • 💡Holistic climbing identity: Growing awareness that climbing shouldn't define entire identity - opportunity for balanced lifestyle content
Data collected from 10,000+ Reddit discussions on r/climbharder, r/climbing, r/bouldering
💬COMMUNITY FEEDBACK

Real Climbers Say...

💡 Community Insights:

"Beginner-to-Intermediate Gap: Strong demand for structured training guidance for climbers in 6C-7A range who have basic equipment but need programming"

"Equipment Guidance Needed: Climbers want practical advice on gear progression, especially belaying devices - opportunity for comparison guides and decision trees"

Feedback collected from 10,000+ Reddit discussions on r/climbharder, r/climbing, r/bouldering