As a climber of over 15 years, I always focused on base level endurance as the primary building block for climbing. Over time I’ve experimented with various types of climbing-specific strength training for myself (both on and off the climbing wall), and then adapted it to the needs and abilities of my clients. I use body weight exercises, gymnastic rings, fingerboard, campus wall as appropriate for an individual’s strengths, weaknesses and goals.
My biggest agenda with technique: target your weaknesses. This doesn’t mean you need to spend every climbing session pulling on slopers, but the best climber is a well-rounded one, it does pay to work those weaknesses. A good and ongoing analysis of a climber’s technique allows me to create specific exercises to improve his/her overall movement and efficiency skills.
Testimonials
John P. Farrell
If I had to describe my training with Joe in one word, it would be “Results.” When I started working with Joe, I was a 5.7 maybe 5.8 leader and very skittish. Within just a few sessions Joe had bumped my rating up by a full level, almost two levels just by working on technique. He then focused very hard on my endurance. When ever he would pull out his stop watch, I would always grimace because I knew what was coming next. But what I noticed in my climbing because of this climbing was amazing:
1)Â I was climbing routes faster, even on-sights.
2)Â I could pause and figure out a crux move without pumping out and weighting the rope.
3)Â When outdoor climbing, I usually did 4 – 6 routes and I was done for the day. All of sudden I was doing 10 – 14 climbs before I started feeling any fatigue. This allowed me to enjoy my climbing trips a lot more because I wasn’t reduced to being a belay slave.
4)Â Through the endurance training, my power to pull hard moves dramatically increased.
5) I was on-sighting 80′ – 110′ routes without needing to rest.
Joe is very good at analyzing weaknesses and then trains them effectively in a fun and challenging way. He fine tunes workouts for the individual climber and comes up with efficient training drills and routines to maximize the session. He is very patient and takes the time to explain the “how’s and why’s.” Since I have meet and worked with Joe for a year now, my climbing has risen to a level that I never thought possible in a very short time. I am now very poised on lead where I will on-sight a route at my climbing limit. Simply put, If you want results, train with Joe.
John P. Farrell
Jeanette Rosario, BA, RMT
I have been a climber on and off for approximately 13 years, in both Canada and Arizona, and have enjoyed the sport tremendously. However, it wasn’t until I started climbing at AZ on the Rocks that I started noticing a stronger passion and respect for all that is involved in the training and health required on the part of the climber. I attribute this to the intelligent and challenging route setting and healthy environment at this particular gym. After finding out that one of the route setters, Joe Czerwinski is also the coach for the kids climbing team I immediately signed up for a 6 week techniques class, and subsequently, the Women’s Climbing Team that he coaches. I feel strongly that it is due to Joe’s well rounded approach of combining rope climbing, bouldering, strength training, and injury management that I have been able to climb at the 5.12- and V3/V4 level. I feel that one of the unique aspects of Joe’s training is that he does not just train his athletes with climbing alone. A strong emphasis is placed on ring exercises, hang boards, resistance bands and theraballs, all of which tremendously increase a climbers weight to strength ratio.
All this aside, Joe is also a positive role model for his climbers. In the process of recovering from a shoulder injury and becoming a father for the third time, he still dedicated his time to coach and was very open to sharing his rehabilitation exercises positively as a tool to help us train more intelligently at an injury free level. His passion for coaching is extremely evident in his constant support for the AZR Ascenders Junior Climbing Team he coaches and all of their recent incredible achievements. I would highly recommend Joe as a climbing coach/trainer if you ever entertain the idea of climbing or want to improve on your existing technique.
Jeanette Rosario, BA, RMT
Suzanne Cook
Susan Pitts
We were members of Coach Joe’s adult climbing class from January to July of 2009. Training with him improved our overall climbing ability, and most of all, our confidence. To keep it fun, Joe mixed numerous unique drills and strength training exercises; improving our endurance and technique. He also included lead climbing and bouldering to add variety. Additionally, we had the opportunity to climb with partners of varying skill levels and backgrounds. While Joe is very serious and intense with his youth teams, he was able to easily transition to training adults with a wide range of ages and skill levels.
We highly recommend Coach Joe if you are looking to make improvements in your climbing.
Sport Specific Personal Training
As a climber of over 15 years, I always focused on base level endurance as the primary building block for climbing. Over time I’ve experimented with various types of climbing-specific strength training for myself (both on and off the climbing wall), and then adapted it to the needs and abilities of my clients. I use body weight exercises, gymnastic rings, fingerboard, campus wall as appropriate for an individual’s strengths, weaknesses and goals.
My biggest agenda with technique: target your weaknesses. This doesn’t mean you need to spend every climbing session pulling on slopers, but the best climber is a well-rounded one, it does pay to work those weaknesses. A good and ongoing analysis of a climber’s technique allows me to create specific exercises to improve his/her overall movement and efficiency skills.
Testimonials
John P. Farrell
Jeanette Rosario, BA, RMT
Suzanne Cook
Susan Pitts