[Wheel Wander]

Hey fellow climbers! If you’re like me, you know that getting a good training session in at home can be just as important as those trips to the crag (not to mention a great way to distract yourself from work!). Today, I’m diving into the world of hangboards because, let’s be honest, those little wooden boards can be your best friends—or your worst enemies. I’ll be sharing my mini reviews of three awesome hangboards that have helped me boost my finger strength and yank my climbing up a notch. Plus, stick around for a handy buyers guide to help you choose the right one for you—because who doesn’t love a good shopping spree, even if it’s online?

So without further ado, here are my top picks for hangboards:

• Trango Rock Prodigy Training Center
• Metolius Contact Training Board
• Beastmaker 1000

[Wheel Wander]

Trango Rock Prodigy Training Center

Ever feel like you’re just hanging around and not making any progress? Enter the Trango Rock Prodigy Training Center—my new fav climbing companion. Picture me, a weekend warrior with dreams of conquering K2, finally looking like I’m doing something productive instead of just waving my hands around like a confused ballerina.

Here’s the lowdown:

• Customization Galore: This thing is super adjustable. It’s like it speaks to me, understanding my need to occasionally pretend I’m a rock god.
• Build Like an Ox: The construction is solid, probably outliving me in a post-apocalyptic climbing gym. Every piece feels high-quality, so I confidently drape my gangly limbs without fear of an impromptu floor embrace.
• Technique Builder: From crimps to pinches, it’s got all you could dream of and probably more. My fingers regret it, but my ego loves it!
• Climbing Gains: After a few weeks, I found myself channeling my inner gecko. Seriously, my grip strength is such that I’m considering a side gig as a professional jar opener.
• Physio’s Best Friend: You’ll find the odd muscle yelling for attention afterward, but hey, what’s a bit of lactic acid between friends?

Personal Anecdote: There’s this one exercise on it that feels like trying to squeeze the life out of a reluctant toothpaste tube, but somewhere in that mix, I remember how much I like climbing doors and feeling invincible.

If you’re looking for feedback from a half-committed, semi-procrastinating climber who just wants an excuse to not fold laundry, the Trango Rock Prodigy Training Center is worth the chalk-stained money.

[Wheel Wander]

Metolius Contact Training Board

I recently decided it was time to toughen up those noodle arms of mine and finally took the plunge, investing in the Metolius Contact Training Board. Needless to say, my fingertips will never forgive me. If you’re thinking about stepping up your climbing game without leaving the comfort and humiliation of your own home, this board might just be your new best friend—or worst enemy, depending on your motivation levels.

First things first, installation. If you’re anything like me—i.e., not exactly a DIY enthusiast—get ready for some laughs. Grab a friend, or better yet, someone who’s handy with a drill. I somehow managed to install it slightly crooked, giving my workouts an unexpected ‘diagonal difficulty mode.’ It turned out to be a fun (read: frustrating) upgrade, testing my grip and patience simultaneously.

• Texture: The surface of this board strikes the perfect balance: rough enough to give you a good grip but not so harsh that it transforms your skin into a sandpaper prototype. My calluses have matured beautifully, if I say so myself.
• Variety: This thing’s got more holds than I have excuses to avoid exercising! From slopers to crimps, it’s like a buffet of grip torture delights. Just when I think I’ve conquered all the holds, I encounter yet another one that makes me rethink my life choices.
• Durability: This board is as solid as my craving for post-workout pizza. Despite my best efforts to break it (or myself), it remains steadfastly mounted on my wall, mocking my every pathetic attempt.
• Progress: Honestly, training on this board has made a noticeable difference in my climbing sessions. I’m not quite Alex Honnold yet, but at least I no longer make those embarrassing yelps my climbing buddies love to tease me about.

Pro tip: Don’t start with the smallest holds while watching your favorite TV show unless yanking yourself off the board mid-episode is part of your fitness regime.

All in all, if you’re looking to improve your climbing skills and enjoy a laugh at your own expense, the Metolius Contact Training Board is a worthwhile investment. Just remember, in the battle of climber vs. board, the board usually wins… but that’s all part of the fun, right?

[Wheel Wander]

Beastmaker 1000

So, I finally caved and got the Beastmaker 1000 because, let’s face it, who doesn’t want to crank up their climbing game even when they’re stuck at home eating cereal in their pajamas? I’ve been hanging, pulling, gripping, and yes, occasionally swearing at this wooden masterpiece for a good few months now. Here’s the lowdown from someone who regularly pretends to be Spiderman on the weekends.

• Build Quality: This thing is solid—like, you could fend off a bear with it kind of solid (please don’t try this at home). The finger pockets and edges are beautifully smooth and splinter-free, which is great because I really wasn’t looking forward to becoming the world’s worst porcupine.
• Finger Variety: Variety truly is the spice of life, and this board is like a spicy jalapeño of finger holds. From slopers to crimps, I felt like a kid in a candy store of hand torture devices. My personal favorite is the slopey-slope because who doesn’t love a good challenge?
• Installation: By some DIY miracle, I managed to mount it above a doorway without causing major property damage. (Contrary to popular belief, I am not a handyman savant.)
• The Gains: Okay, here’s the truth—I’m not exactly Alex Honnold yet, but my grip strength has definitely gone from “clingy koala” to somewhere closer to “mildly confident monkey.” And my climbing pals aren’t the only ones who’ve noticed; I’m pretty sure my cat is slightly more intimidated by me now.
• A Little Word of Caution: As with all things involving gravity, approach with a smidgen of caution. My first few sessions had my fingers feeling like overcooked spaghetti dangling in the wind. But with some gradual progression and rest (plus maybe a cookie or two), things improved!

My overall verdict? If you’re a climber looking to upgrade from glorified bodyweight squats in the living room or you just want to quietly weep in desperation as you hang from the smallest edge possible, the Beastmaker 1000 might just be your new best friend. Plus, you get the added bonus of bragging rights for your next climbing trip. Now, who’s ready to hang? 🍌

[Wheel Wander]

Best Hangboards for Training Buyer’s Guide

Looking to transform your fingers from fragile to freaking fantastic? Well, dear fellow climbers and mountaineers, hang on tight because selecting the perfect hangboard can be trickier than a sketchy dyno move! Here’s a little buyer’s guide based on my own trials, errors, and a couple of falls—I mean experiences.

Versatility is Key: Whether you’re a bouldering beast or still figuring out the art of ‘hangdogging’, a versatile hangboard is your best friend. You want something that can cater to different grip positions. Let’s face it, you’ll want to train every muscle in those fiddly phalanges of yours!

• Beginner or Beast? If you’re just getting started, opt for something with jugs and larger holds so you don’t send yourself to snap city. For those a little more hardcore, smaller crimps and pockets will give you the grip strength of a gorilla.
• Material Matters: Wood is more skin-friendly, providing the comfort of a soft touch, no matter how grizzled your hands become. However, resin boards offer more intricate shapes for advanced training.
• Size Does Matter: If you’re a globetrotter with dreams of peak-bagging across continents, consider a more portable hangboard. For homebodies, bigger boards provide a greater variety of grips.

Personal Picks: After a season of trialing enough hangboards to rival my climbing shoe collection (only slightly embarrassing levels), these are the ones that have really swung into my favor:

• Metolius Simulator 3D: This is the ‘Swiss Army Knife’ of hangboards. It boasts a variety of holds to suit every skill level, plus it looks like it belongs in a spaceship—not a bad splash of futurism for your home gym.
• Beastmaker 2000: For those who want to evolve into grip monsters, this board is for intermediate to advanced climbers. Effective, but beware—it gives no quarter to the weak of skin!
• Trango Rock Prodigy Forge: This is like the hangboard version of having an old and wise sensei—extremely specialized. You won’t outgrow it anytime soon, plus it gives detailed training programs to help you focus your routine.

Quick Tip: Regardless of which board you choose, listen to your body. Overzealous training can lead to some gnarly tendon injuries. Trust me, I’ve learned this the hard way while being overly ambitious and not letting myself heal.

To sum it up, think about where you are in your training journey and what kind of blank space you want to convert into your climbing haven. Whether you’re sharpening up your crimp game or just trying to justify eating extra pizza, a hangboard is a valuable addiction to your training routine. Happy climbing, folks!

[Bushcraft Bob]

Oh, I feel like I’m in good company with fellow hangboard enthusiasts! 🤘 Aren’t those little boards just the best way to buff up those climbing digits from the comfort of your own living room? Plus, they double as a great conversation starter when non-climbers walk into your home and ask, “What on earth is that hanging from your wall?” 😂

Here’s a little nugget of wisdom I’ve picked up from my own hangboarding misadventures, which might be helpful:

• Don’t Forget to Warm Up: Seriously, at least jog in place for a minute or two or circle your arms like some enthusiastic windmill impersonator. Your fingers will thank you for it! 🖐️➡️✋
• Time It Right: Try fitting in a session after work to shake off that office stiffness or start your day with a hang and feel like you’re already conquering mountains—figuratively, if not quite literally! ⏰🌄
• Mix It Up: Rotate those grips; it’s like giving each digit its own little gym session. Keeps things fresh and helps balance out your hand strength! 🤹‍♂️💪
• Be the T-Rex: Start with bigger holds if you’re a hangboard newbie. Those tiny edges might whisper sweet nothings to you, but save them for when you’re feeling more dinosaur than darling. 🦖😉

But hey, whether you’re a hangboard maestro or a newbie, we’re all just aiming to make those fingers strong enough to pinch cliffs, right? Happy hanging! ✨🔗

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