Maximum Climbing

by Eric J. Hörst

The definitive resource to brain-training for climbing— by an internationally recognized expert   As physical as climbing is, it is even more mental. Ultimately, people climb with their minds—hands and feet are merely extensions of their thoughts and will. Becoming a master climber requires that you first master your mind.   In Maximum Climbing , America’s best-selling author on climbing performance presents a climber’s guide to the software of the brain—one that will prove invaluable whether one's preference is bouldering, sport climbing, traditional climbing, alpine climbing, or mountaineering. Eric Hörst brings unprecedented clarity to the many cognitive and neurophysical aspects of climbing and dovetails this information into a complete program, setting forth three stages of mental training that correspond to beginner, intermediate, and elite levels of experience and commitment—the ideal template to build upon to personalize one's goals through years of climbing to come. 

Genres: Climbing, Outdoors, Nonfiction, Fitness

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Aida Tincu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best mental training book for climbers. It is better than Rock Warrior's Way and Mastermind, in my opinion, because it puts on the table all your unrational fears, that hold you back, and analyzes each one of them, one at a time.

[Ray Lo · Rating 5 out of 5]

To me it's the best book written by Eric J. Hörst, it pushed me in the 5.12 (7b) grade more then How To Climb 5.12 . It addresses almost everything known to mankind what's holding you back mentally to a point when you'll feel stripped and naked to the bone; no issue is left unadressed. If climbing is 1/3 physique, 1/3 technique, and 1/3 in between your ears then you would be surprised how far you can go when your head is attuned... I once read that at some point everything comes down to the mind and the mental, well, I start to understand what that was about. I read quite a lot of books on climbing, but this stands on top of it.

[Torzonborz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A true breakthrough in my experience with climbing. After reading this one, I started to think and feel differently while climbing. Also I have progressed in my "achievements" , and I am not talking about grades only but the overall feeling and ability to enjoy the process. The lessons what could be learned through this book, most of them you'll be able to utilize in your life outside of the world of vertical. Meditation, focus, goal setting, ego, mental toughness and else.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great primer on mental training, not just for climbing but for other aspects of your life as well. It focuses a lot on removing negative people and distractions from your life so you can make room for your motivations and goals feeling energized and positive.

[Anthony Friscia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Basically mindfulness and self-help for climbers. A little too touchy-feely for my tastes. Often repetitive, and with a thin patina of pseudo-science at times to make it annoying. A few useful tidbits can be gleaned...

[Owen McLeod · Rating 3 out of 5]

Less climbing training and more so a self-help book. Some good exercises, some silly. I appreciated this didn't have the "eastern knowledge" spin of rock warriors way. Eric really encourages a "dreaming big" mindset for your goals.

[Tomek · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars: This is probably my favorite mental training book for climbing that I've read. I am now only missing Vertical Mind. Horst provides a concrete training plan that will help you work on your mental game, along with many exercises that can be incorporated into said plan. He also focuses a lot on sports psychology and neurology rather than waxing philosophical. I would turn to Espresso Lessons and 9/10 Climbers for falling training as both give excellent details on how to gain comfort with that aspect of climbing.

Maximum Climbing>Espresso Lessons=9/10 Climbers>Rock Warrior's Way.

[Anh Pham · Rating 4 out of 5]

clearly, simply, beautifully written story to inspire climbers to consider thought and will as well as physical training as part of the arsenal needed to achieving their greatest goals