How to Start Climbing and Keep Improving
A structured, evidence-informed system for adults who want to climb harder, train smarter, and break through plateaus without burning out.
by Alumigogo Books
non-fiction
Stop guessing. Start progressing. A structured, evidence-informed system for adults who want to climb harder and keep improving.
About this book
You're past the beginner phase, but the progress has stalled. The youtube videos are contradictory, the training advice from the guy at the gym is anecdotal at best, and 'just climb more' isn't working anymore. You're looking for a structured, evidence-informed approach to climbing that treats it like the complex physical and mental skill it is—not a hobby to be approached with random effort.
This book is that system. It walks you through why the common wisdom fails, then provides a clear, multi-layered framework for improvement. You'll build a solid foundation in your first seven days, learn the specific daily practices that drive progress, and understand the cognitive strategies needed to stay consistent when motivation wanes. We cut through the noise with practical checklists, honest evaluations of tools and resources, and clear guidance on advanced strategies for long-term results.
This is not about inspirational platitudes. It's a practical manual built on how training, motor learning, and psychology actually work, applied specifically to climbing. You will learn to see your climbing not as a series of random sessions, but as a deliberate practice you can design, measure, and improve for years to come.
Reader Reviews
Lisa White
★★★★★I’ve been climbing for two years and felt stuck at the same grade for six months. My feed was full of pros doing wild campus board drills and the crash-pad forum guys telling me to just climb more. This book finally put a framework around what I was doing wrong. The 'Why Most Approaches Fail' chapter was almost embarrassing to read, it was so on the nose. The 7-day plan got me moving immediately, and the diagnostic checklist in the mistakes chapter is worth the price alone. It’s not magic, it’s just finally a clear system.
Jason Lewis
★★★★★The biggest win for me was the mental game chapter. I didn’t realize my 'just try harder' attitude was literally building in failure. The chapter on why most approaches fail nailed my exact pattern: doing the same bouldering circuits in my comfort zone and wondering why I wasn't progressing. The section on implementation intentions in the mental game chapter was a real game-changer for my consistency. It’s a practical book, not a theoretical one.
Andrew Robinson
★★★★★This is the book I wish I had when I started. It's direct, no fluff, and doesn't treat you like an idiot, but it also doesn't assume you're a pro. The author clearly did the research. I loved how the first chapter broke down why the 'just climb' advice is so inadequate and then laid out a real, evidence-informed framework. I've already recommended it to two friends who are in the same plateau I was. The tools comparison table saved me a ton of money on useless apps, too. It's the most coherent training philosophy I've found.