Frequently Asked Questions

Thinking about coaching but still have a few questions?

Here are some of the most common questions we receive from climbers who are considering working with Vertical Ascents.

Who is your coaching for?

Our coaching is designed for climbers who feel stuck.

Many of our clients are struggling with some combination of recurring injuries, slow progress, information overload, and uncertainty about what to focus on next.

They often feel like they're working hard but not improving. They don't know how much to climb, when to push, when to back off, how to structure sessions, or how to translate their strength into better climbing performance.

If you're overwhelmed by conflicting advice, stuck on a plateau, tired of being stuck in an injury cycle, or you just want a clear path forward, our coaching is designed for you.

One of the most common things we hear from our climbers is, "I love your training because I can actually hold it in my head." We simplify training, reduce the noise, and help you focus on what matters most.

How is your coaching different?

Most climbing coaching focuses on telling you what exercises to do. We do things differently.

We understand that the best way to train for climbing is by climbing. Rather than simply prescribing workouts, we help you create opportunities to develop climbing skill and strength on the wall.

Our coaching combines education, strategies, and systems to help you find peak form, build high-quality climbing sessions, and steadily progress over time. You'll learn how to choose the right climbs, manage training stress, design effective practice sessions, and build a system that works for you.

The goal isn't just to help you climb better today. It's to teach you how to coach yourself so you can continue progressing long after the coaching relationship ends.

Why should I hire a climbing coach?

Most climbers don't need more information. They need help deciding what to do next.

A climbing coach can help you cut through the noise, build a training system that fits your life, and make better decisions about what to climb, when to climb, and how much to climb.

At Vertical Ascents, we see coaching as a combination of education and strategy. Our role is to share knowledge, frameworks, and perspectives that help you improve your performance and enrich your climbing experience. We then help you apply those ideas in a way that makes sense for your goals, schedule, and circumstances.

The result is less guesswork, more clarity, and a better understanding of how to continue progressing as a climber.

How much time do I need to train?

We'll build your coaching around the time you actually have available and what's best for you. It's not possible to add a busy training schedule on top of a busy life, so we'll figure out how to pull the right levers and do the right amount of training to get you where you're trying to go.

Can you help with injuries?

We regularly work with climbers who are managing pain, injuries, and training setbacks. One of the most common pieces of feedback we receive from our clients is that they experience fewer injuries and setbacks after learning how to better manage their climbing and training.

While we do not diagnose, treat, or rehabilitate injuries, we can help you make informed decisions about your climbing and training, modify your approach when appropriate, and work alongside qualified healthcare professionals when needed. We also have a strong referral network of climbing-specific physical therapists around the world.

Many climbers come to us after completing rehabilitation or being discharged by their healthcare provider. We can help bridge the gap between rehab and performance by supporting a gradual return to higher-intensity climbing and training.

Is your coaching program remote?

Yes, our coaching program is 100% remote, which means you can join us from anywhere in the world.

You'll work directly with your coach through regular check-ins, messaging, and feedback, allowing us to support your climbing without requiring you to be in a specific location.

In many ways, remote coaching gives us a better picture of your climbing because we can help you integrate your training, climbing, recovery, work, and life commitments into a single system.

How long does coaching last?

Most climbers begin with our core four-month coaching program.

During this time, we'll build your training system, help you improve your climbing, and teach you the skills needed to make better decisions about your training and performance.

After the initial four months, many climbers transition to our Legacy Plan. By this stage, most climbers require less frequent support, but still value having a coach in their pocket. It's a simple way to stay connected to the Vertical Ascents community while having access to expert guidance when questions, challenges, or new goals arise.

Some climbers stay for years. Others leave with the tools they need to continue progressing on their own.

What Are Your Qualifications and Experience?

Our team has qualifications and education in sports coaching, climbing instruction, mountain guiding, and performance coaching.

Collectively, we have decades of experience working with novice, recreational, and professional climbers across a wide range of disciplines, including bouldering, sport climbing, trad climbing, big wall climbing, ice climbing, alpine climbing, and competition climbing.

We've coached hundreds of climbers, climbing coaches, and mountain guides, helping them improve performance, navigate injuries and setbacks, prepare for ambitious objectives, and build sustainable long-term progression.

Ready to get started?

If you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure what to focus on next, we'd love to help.

Complete the pre-enrollment questionnaire and we'll review your application personally.