How to Improve Crimp Strength Without Getting Injured

Over the past 15 years, the 20 mm edge—3/4-inch, just less than one fingerpad wide for most people—has become the gold standard for finger training and finger-assessment testing. Mastering or working toward mastery of the 20mm—being able to deadhang or do a one-armed pullup on it—transfers to being able to hold and control smaller crimps and other varieties and sizes of holds as well, making it a universally useful training and sending benchmark. This has been supported by anecdotal evidence as well as research conducted by me and my team at KörperForce Human Performance and Beast Fingers Climbing.

UNDERSTANDING 100 PERCENT

As a climber, you already know how easy it is for a good crimp to suddenly become nearly impossible to control. Take the 20 mm edge on a 45-degree wall—while you’re holding the edge, moving your feet up can make a crimp that once had to support only 30 percent bodyweight now need to support 85 percent. Now picture a deadpoint jump to and one-handed catch of the same crimp: This would be 100 percent bodyweight, and it’s no small feat! Whether you’re bench-pressing, deadlifting, or hanging a 20 mm edge, having the strength to work with 100 percent of your bodyweight doesn’t just happen. Elite climbers we’ve tested averaged 120 to 130 percent on the 20 mm, climbing V15+! With patience and a regimented program, anyone can reach 100 percent or higher.

CASE STUDY: Jonathan Xumo’s Three-Year Journey

Everyone has a unique starting point. Jonathan Xumo came to me in November 2018 with the goal of climbing V10. At the time, he had climbed for over 10 years and had sent V7 outdoors. He started training at 50 percent bodyweight on the 20 mm edge in late 2017, and then achieved 90 percent nearly 1.5 years into consistent conditioning. Finger strength is conserved over time, given there is continued stimulus: Throughout Xumo’s progression, he maintained a steady rate of increase in finger strength of ~1.989 pounds/month. During the last three months of his nearly three-year journey, he was consistently reaching 100 percent on the 20 mm edge and had sent The Occultist (V10) in Connecticut, plus two V9s. His latest project is Krajo (V11) at the Gunks; as of press time, he was making all the moves and doing the problem in two parts.

WHY SO LONG? TENDONS AND ADAPTATION

Research from the University of London has shown that training at 70 to 80 percent of 1RM (1-rep max) elicits a significant increase in tendon force, torque transfer, and absolute strength.¹ Tendons respond quickly to new weight stimulus, but they also take time to rebuild and adapt; in fact, they need to go through multiple rebuilding stages to accomodate new force loads.² Collagen fibers provide tendons their mechanical durability and strength, and it takes no less than 30 days for collagen fibers to rebuild successfully. Heavy loads can interfere with this rebuilding time—increasing your injury risk and delaying your process.³ Hence, while the three years it took Xumo to reach 100 percent might seem like a long time, they actually represent a slow, safe, graduated approach. (Note: In more than one occurrence—including Xumo’s—we’ve seen a consistent, two to three pounds per month progression on the 20 mm edge. There appear to be three modalities: 1. skin adaptions for higher pain tolerance, 2. increased muscle recruitment of the forearms, and 3. tendon-strength development.)

Tools needed: A 20 mm edge you can attach to weights (plate, dumbbells, kettlebells, etc.) to do one-armed lifts.

WATCH VIDEO TO LEARN HOW TO DO A ONE-ARM PULLUP

Training The One-Armed Lift On The 20 mm edge

Step  1: Always Use Good Form

The one-armed 20 mm lift uses deadlift form: Stand with your feet shoulder-width or wider (left photo). Using a straight back, engage your shoulders and lift with control through your legs and engaged arm, keeping your other arm behind you (middle photo); lower back to your starting position. While grip position may vary based on your goals, to protect against injury, train the half-crimp/semi-crimp position—without your thumb (right photo).

Step 2: Find Your Max

Now we’ll find your starting point using the Rate of Perceived Effort (RPE) Scale, with 1-RPE being the easiest and 10-RPE being the hardest. First, warm up for 20 minutes with easy climbing at 3-RPE, and then take a 10- to 15-minute break. For the following tests, rest three to four minutes between sets; take as much rest as needed when attempting your 1RM.

•  10 reps light weight (typically 40–60 pounds) at 2-RPE

•  9 reps moderate weight at 4-RPE

•  8 reps moderately heavy weight at 6-RPE

•  6 reps with a heavy weight at 7-RPE

•  2 reps with a heavier weight at 9-RPE

•  1 rep with an increased heavier weight at 10-RPE (assuming form is OK)

Step 3: Calculate Your Training Weight

Your ideal training weight is 70 to 80 percent of your 1RM. For example, with a 1RM of 100 pounds on the 20 mm edge, your ideal range is 70–80 pounds.

Step 4: Workout Programming

Here’s a simple weekly model:

Intensity: 70 to 80 percent

Workout: 3 sets of 7 lifts each

Frequency: 2–3 days a week

Re-test 1RM: Once a month or when recovered—gauge recovery via RPE. For example, if your workout weight was 70 pounds last week at 6-RPE, but is 55 pounds this week at 6-RPE, then dedicate more time to recovery.

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