Customer Reviews

Climbing: Training for Peak Performance (Mountaineers Outdoor Expert)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I initially purchased this book without hesitation upon recognizing Clyde Soles' name and recalling his excellent work as the gear editor for "Rock and Ice." And while he has done an excellent job of amassing a wide variety of information and adjusting it to a climbers needs, none of the material presented is really that original or profound. The bottom line of this books is eat healthy, train both aerobically and anaerobically, and supplement your climbing with strength training. I would reccommend this book for someone new to climbing and looking to set the foundation for good health and climbing. More experienced climbers looking for an additional edge or those with a solid understanding of the principles of health and fitness, however, should look elsewhere.

After reading this book my first thought was I don't need to write the book on climbing training i had planned. As a sports physiologist, trainer and climber I had been disappointed by the lack of scientically sound and useful book on training for climbing, soles has filled this gap.

Whilst I don't agree with all of soles theories, these are minor differences due mainly to differnet interpretations of research.

As with all sports, climbing needs to much more extensive research into performance and training, but Soles has produced and excellent volume with current knowledge.

All in all an excellent book I would have no hesitation in recommending to anyone interested in improving there climbing performance, no matter what your level of climber. An emminently readable and usefull book.

When I saw that Clyde Soles had another book out I bought it right away. I wasn't disappointed. This book covers training and nutrition in an easy to read but comprehensive manner. There are alot of books on training out there but none are specific to climbing like this one. I hate books that just rehash everything you already know--Not this book, you can tell the author has done his homework.

Highly recommended for any level of climber...Beginner to Hardman (or woman!)

If you're looking for a book that explains not only what to do to increase your climbing performance but also how to do and why to do, don't look further, get Soles' book right away. I got into mountain climbing 3 years ago and all through these years I craved for a book about training for mountaineering explaining the principles and containing useful sample programs, but all that stuff out there were about training for rock climbing only, except Mark Twight's Extreme Alpinism with its valuable chapters on training. Twight's book is excellent, though the chapters about training are not detailed enough naturally, it's not a book about training after all. Well, I don't have to crave anymore, I found what I was looking for and more in Clyde's book. It doesn't matter if you're an alpinist or a sport climber or whatever, I'm sure this book will work for everyone.

Maybe most important of all, take Clyde's word, learn to have fun while training. This book surely will help you on this one...

Clyde has done an excellent job of taking on the strength and endurance issues relative to climbing. You won't find the technique focus of other successful climbing instructionals such as Performance Rock Climbing or Flash Training, but you will find much solid background for developing depth and background in your aerobic and anaerobic programs. Much good reference information is included also.

I had been climbing for a while, and wanting to get better. When I started to train with climbing in mind, I really didn't know where to start. So, I did the usual things and felt frustrated. Fortunately I came across this book. It really answers questions, is immensely practical, and is a pleasant read. If you want to climb stronger, get this book.

Great book. Nice to get through all the nutritional information that really makes sense.

If you're going to Climb, spend the time to Train. And the best way to making training work is to "Train Smarter, not Harder" and this book Climbing: Training for Peak Performance, does just thatClimbing: Training For Peak Performance by Clyde Soles

I decided it was time to lose some weight for real and get into shape. One year and 28 pounds later with a resting heartrate in the low forties (less than my current age) I stumbled across this training guide. It's a great book! Solid science backing up simple truths: good nutrition, work hard, stay consistent. I gained a deeper insight into the progress I had already realized and learned some interesting things about current weaknesses and how to overcome them. For beginner or intermediate middle-aged mountaineers, hikers, climbers, or whatever kind of out-door wanna-be you are, this book is a bargain. Couple it with some of the specialty volumes in the series and you'll soon find yourself prepared to tackle your first 5.10 route or 8000 meter peak.

This book is very readable, with enough information to satisfy most readers without getting bogged down in details.
Soles covers what you need to know about good nutrition, aerobic and resistance training, flexibility, and more. Most importantly, detailed training plans that take into account busy lifestyles and a variety of cross-training sport preferences are provided to take the guess-work out of getting fit. The specific needs of rock climbers vs. mountaineers are addressed. Anyone from couch potato to already-fit climber will learn a lot and improve themselves greatly with the advice in this book. My only gripe is that there is too much emphasis on various devices that can be used, though gadget-free alternatives are usually provided. If you have the desire to be a better climber, are willing to invest in a gym membership or some equipment, and have the will to follow a training plan, Climbing: Training for Peak Performance will get you to your goals.

What a great book. Awesome info. Very detailed. I took this book to work took it with me anywhere I went I couldn't put it down. There is more information in here than just about climbing. In it is nutirional information, wokout techniques and plans. Couldn't have asked for anything else to be included that wasn't already. Great for beginniners and expeienced climbers alike or anyone who wants to improve their workout or overall fitness level. Buy it. Absorb it. Enjoy it.