Hello all! I’ve been able to get back at the climbing wall as my injury was short lived. This week I did work on some slab. Slab is interesting because it’s not so much about upper body strength but it involves more coordination balance, and you have to think about where you’re placing your hands and feet. Here’s some slab tips:

  • Avoid pulling down, use your hands to only keep your balance which will result in more stamina.
  • Keep as much pressure as you can on your feet.
  • Take your time: slab cannot be climbed fast, it’s about footwork not power
  • Heels down, this will help you keep friction with the wall and prevent your calfs from working too hard and cramping
  • Hips out, this will keep pressure on your feet and give you an extra bit of grip
  • Stay on your dominant foot when you can to stay on balance
  • Focus on finger and core strength when climbing slab, compared to overhang climbing which requires more back strength and power

Here is a good video I found on slab techniques: