The climbing books that transformed my climbing

In this article I would like to share with you my go-to climbing books.

What I love about climbing is how closely it’s connected to understanding how the body works and learning how to take care of it. These two books became my go-to guides: one taught me how to train better for strength, and the other how to prevent and deal with injuries.

The science of climbing training: An evidence-based guide to improving your climbing performance

Author: Sergio Consuegra

This is my favorite book. First of all it really helped me understand how the body produces energy during climbing, for example when the aerobic energy system and when not. I also gained a clear understanding of which muscles are the most important for climbing, how to build strength, and the different methods of training. Most of the workouts I do to get stronger come from this book, and I feel much stronger as a result. It guided me in choosing specific exercises which helped me bring more focus to my training.

The Climbing Bible: Managing Injuries

Author: Stian Christophersen

This is another book I really like. It explains the most common climbing injuries and how to treat them in a clear and practical way. Reading it helped me understand my body much better. Of course, I still go to a physio when I feel pain to get my injuries checked, but now I have a broader perspective and understanding. I think every climber should be aware of the types of injuries that can happen and mainly how to prevent them.