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5.9 Climber to 5.13!

April 2nd, 2018 by

Join us as we follow Alex, the Creative Director at CRG, training to go from a 5.9 climber to 5.13!

This VLOG will be an on going series detailing Alex’s experience as he tries to raise his game. Learn the dos and don’ts of  climbing, training routines, injury prevention and management, and so much more!

Follow Alex as he starts the process of  going from climbing 5.9 to his eventual goal of 5.13. He’ll travel around to all the gyms in the Central Rock Gym family getting advice on technique and training from some of the best setters, climbers, and trainers in the industry. The VLOG will teach novice climbers about climbing terminology and basic fitness training. For the more experienced climber Alex will get insights from seasoned climbers into how to improve training and push through the dreaded plateaus. Along the way you’ll get a peek into the amazing rock climbing communities that we’ve all come to love and cherish.

Head over to our YouTube channel to check out every episode!

Subscribe today and make sure you watch the entire episode; you never know when we might have a free giveaway for those following the VLOG!!!

Climber Grip Strength Over 30 Days

August 8th, 2021 by Erica DeFrancesco

Watch the change in his grip strength after Alex sets out on a journey to climb for 30 days. Head over to our YouTube channel to check out every episode!

Everything You Need to Know About Climbing in the Olympics

July 30th, 2021 by Erica DeFrancesco

Alex walks us through everything you need to know about sport climbing in the 2020 Olympics! Head over to our YouTube channel to check out every episode!

Breaking Through that Plateau

November 4th, 2019 by Erica DeFrancesco

Alex travels to Central Rock Gym Cambridge and meets up with Troy on how to break through your climbing plateau! Head over to our YouTube channel to check out every episode! Subscribe today and make sure you watch the entire …

CRG Update

October 21st, 2019 by Erica DeFrancesco

Alex travels to CRG Framingham for an update vlog! Find out what’s been going on and what events are coming to Central Rock Gym! Head over to our YouTube channel to check out every episode! Subscribe today and make sure …

The Art of Lead Falls

October 16th, 2019 by Erica DeFrancesco

Alex heads to Central Rock Gym Rochester and meets with Head Setter Jordan and community member Seann to go over the art of taking a lead fall and getting over lead-head. Head over to our YouTube channel to check out …

Climbing with Heel Hooks and Toe Hooks

October 7th, 2019 by Erica DeFrancesco

Alex visits Central Rock Gym Buffalo to meet with Sam and Matt again! They go over the importance of heel and toe hooks in climbing! Head over to our YouTube channel to check out every episode! Subscribe today and make …

Power VS Flexibility When Climbing

September 30th, 2019 by Erica DeFrancesco

Alex travels to Central Rock Gym Syracuse and goes over the difference between climbing with power and flexibility! Head over to our YouTube channel to check out every episode! Subscribe today and make sure you watch the entire episode; you …

How to Overcome a Fear of Heights

September 16th, 2019 by Erica DeFrancesco

Alex visits Central Rock Gym, Buffalo and goes over how to overcome a fear of heights with Matt and Sam! Head over to our YouTube channel to check out every episode! Subscribe today and make sure you watch the entire …

Strong Climbing Shoulders

September 9th, 2019 by Erica DeFrancesco

Alex visits Central Rock Gym Rochester to check out their facility and get tips on how to build and keep shoulders strong for climbing! Head over to our YouTube channel to check out every episode! Subscribe today and make sure …

Tall vs. Short Climber 2!

June 10th, 2019 by Erica DeFrancesco

Jim and Adeline show us once again that height doesn’t make a difference when it comes to climbing ability. Climbers of a shorter stature can climb just as well as those that are taller. However, brushing finishing holds off is …

Waltham Dyno Comp

April 21st, 2019 by Erica DeFrancesco

Alec takes a look into one of Central Rock Gym Waltham’s monthly dyno comps! Get a peek into what it takes to win one of these competitions! Head over to our YouTube channel to check out every episode! Subscribe today …

Route Setting Secrets

April 1st, 2019 by Erica DeFrancesco

A new host takes over the vlog and shares some of Central Rock Gym’s route setting secrets! Head over to our YouTube channel to check out every episode! Subscribe today and make sure you watch the entire episode; you never …

CRG Updates

March 4th, 2019 by Erica DeFrancesco

Alex updates us on new walls in Cambridge, the opening of CRG Stoneham and Waltham, and the new membership deal running through March! We are working hard to open Central Rock Gym Boston, Rochester, and Buffalo soon!!! To stay up …

Climbing Lingo

February 11th, 2019 by Erica DeFrancesco

Have you heard some crazy climbing terms and wondered what they mean? Alex travels around to Central Rock Gym Waltham, Watertown, and Cambridge learning new climbing lingo/climber speak! Follow Alex as he starts the process of going from climbing 5.9 …

How to Fall Bouldering

February 4th, 2019 by Erica DeFrancesco

Alex heads to Central Rock Gym Cambridge and Watertown to talk to the setters and coaches on how to fall when bouldering. You get the bouldering falls insights from the people who do it every day! We also have a …

Hangboarding Tips

January 20th, 2019 by Erica DeFrancesco

This weeks episode is VERY content heavy! Alex visits Central Rock Gym Cambridge to meet with Troy again. They go over the top ten tips for starting to hangboard (and tips for more experienced hangboarders)! Hangboarding can be dangerous and …

Dynamic Climbing

December 30th, 2018 by Erica DeFrancesco

Alex heads to Central Rock Gym Cambridge to meet up with Troy again. They go over tips on how to start climbing dynamically, as well as how to improve your dynamic climbing! Follow Alex as he starts the process of …

Bouldering Secrets

December 23rd, 2018 by Erica DeFrancesco

Alex heads to Central Rock Gym Cambridge, CRG’s first bouldering only gym, to talk with Troy about the 5 secrets to bouldering! Do you know all of them?! Follow Alex as he starts the process of going from climbing 5.9 …

100-Second Hang

December 17th, 2018 by Erica DeFrancesco

Alex heads to Central Rock Gym Watertown and challenges rock climbers to beat the 100-second hang challenge. Rock climbers are said to have some of the strongest grip strength in the world. So, we put it to the test! Alex …

Mental Approach

December 3rd, 2018 by Erica DeFrancesco

Alex changes up the vlog and sits down with Shane Messer to talk about the mental approach to climbing. What do Navy Seals and Adam Ondra have in common? Watch to find out! Follow Alex as he starts the process …

Thanksgiving

November 23rd, 2018 by Erica DeFrancesco

Happy Thanksgiving from Central Rock Gym! We’re thankful for you and all of the Central Rock Gym community! Follow Alex as he starts the process of going from climbing 5.9 to his eventual goal of 5.13. He’ll travel around to …

Elite Team Dynos

November 19th, 2018 by Erica DeFrancesco

Alex hangs out with the Elite Team at Central Rock Gym in Watertown. They show a variety of dynos, and Coach Ryan talks us through what’s really going on with each dyno. Follow Alex as he starts the process of …

Campus Board Training

November 14th, 2018 by Erica DeFrancesco

Alex meets up with Kai Lightner and Shane Messer as they do a training session on the campus board at Central Rock Gym Cambridge. Get a glimpse into what it takes to be one of the best climbers in the …

Pro Core Exercises

November 5th, 2018 by Erica DeFrancesco

Tex is back to show us some secret core exercises the pro climbers don’t want you to know! Follow Alex as he starts the process of going from climbing 5.9 to his eventual goal of 5.13. He’ll travel around to …

Suspension Training

October 29th, 2018 by Erica DeFrancesco

Tex is back! He shows us why if you can get only one piece of equipment at home, get suspension training over a hangboard! We go over the best suspension training workouts for climbing in this next episode of the …

Dyno Comp

October 14th, 2018 by Erica DeFrancesco

The Director of Route Setting at Central Rock Gym, Shane Messer, set up a dyno competition that included a lead dyno comp! Kai Lightner stopped by to give it a try after the competition. It. Was. Incredible. We also had …

Setting

October 8th, 2018 by Erica DeFrancesco

Alex visits Central Rock Gym Framingham to meet up with setters Shane Messer and Justin Wright to learn how they set competition style boulder problems. We take you through the whole process from start to finish. We hope this video …

Choosing a Harness

October 1st, 2018 by Erica DeFrancesco

Alex goes to Central Rock Gym Watertown to meet with Black Diamond to breakdown differences in harnesses. BD covers sizing, comfort, and use. If you’ve ever considered upgrading your harness but don’t really know what that means, this video is …

Sequencing

September 10th, 2018 by Erica DeFrancesco

Alex heads to Central Rock Gym Randolph to work on sequencing with the head setter, Justin Wright, and Zoe! Justin reveals his secrets to sequencing when climbing, and we get to see Zoe improve as she implements these new tips …

Tension Board

September 3rd, 2018 by Erica DeFrancesco

Alex visits Central Rock Gym Cambridge for a Tension Board session with Jon Haggerty. Jon shares the benefits of training with a Tension Board, and he takes us through the progression of working your way up on it! Follow Alex …

Tall vs. Short Climbers

August 20th, 2018 by Erica DeFrancesco

Alex does a surprise visit to CRG Manhattan! He visits with tall climber, Jim, and short climber, Adeline to see the differences in tall vs. short climber beta. Any predictions?! A couple of moments really surprised us! Follow Alex as …

VLOG Trailer

August 6th, 2018 by Erica DeFrancesco

Join Alex on his journey of improving as a climber. He’ll take you through his training regimen, and you’ll get tips from the pros. Appearances from Kai Lightner, Shane Messer, Stephen Bryant, and Sasha DiGiulian. Follow Alex as he starts …

Rice Bucket

July 30th, 2018 by Erica DeFrancesco

Alex heads to Central Rock Gym Watertown and meets with coaches Ryan and Jess. They go over the 6 best rice bucket exercises for every climber and why the rice bucket is crucial to every climber’s health. Follow Alex as …

Evolv

July 23rd, 2018 by Erica DeFrancesco

Evolv joins Alex to talk about how to fit and choose climbing shoes. They discuss how a different shoes should feel, what to look for when testing out shoes, and what kind of shoe you should get for what you’re …

Nationals Prep

July 16th, 2018 by Erica DeFrancesco

Alex visits the Central Rock Gym Watertown teams as they prepare for Nationals! Guest appearance by the Mom Squad!! Follow Alex as he starts the process of going from climbing 5.9 to his eventual goal of 5.13. He’ll travel around …

Footwork

July 9th, 2018 by Erica DeFrancesco

Tex, Stephen Bryant, goes over great footwork drills to improve your climbing technique and make big gains in your climbing! He goes over basic footwork drills to advanced footwork drills. If you’re interested in reaching out to him for a …

Running

July 2nd, 2018 by Erica DeFrancesco

Alex goes through running training with Olympian Morgan Uceny! He learns about the importance of cardio as a climber. Morgan goes through targeting weaknesses and improving technique, as well as how to improve your cardiovascular health if you’re new to …

Update

June 25th, 2018 by Erica DeFrancesco

This week’s VLOG is an update on how Alex is progressing on climbing. He reflects on his training thus far and shares how inspired he his by all of you! Follow Alex as he starts the process of going from …

Climber Hunchback

June 18th, 2018 by Erica DeFrancesco

Alex visits Central Rock Randolph and meets with massage therapist Dylon Sidor. Dylon explains the truth behind climber hunch. Alex also learns the benefits of massage for healing and being able to climb harder. Follow Alex as he starts the …

Basic Climbing

June 11th, 2018 by Erica DeFrancesco

As Alex continues his journey to 5.13, he stops at CRG Worcester for some coaching from setters Keith and Rachel. They go over basic climbing tips that experienced climbers know but aren’t necessarily intuitive for new climbers. Follow Alex as …

Yoga For Climbing

June 4th, 2018 by Erica DeFrancesco

Alex tries yoga out and discovers its benefits. He then applies what he learns to the rock wall.   Follow Alex as he starts the process of going from climbing 5.9 to his eventual goal of 5.13. He’ll travel around …

Core Workout

May 28th, 2018 by Erica DeFrancesco

Alex starts climbing again, and he meets with Vito for an ultimate core workout. If you have suggestions please comment below! Thanks for watching!   Follow Alex as he starts the process of going from climbing 5.9 to his eventual …

Supporting Joints

May 21st, 2018 by Erica DeFrancesco

We follow Alex as he trains with Lisa on how to strengthen and support his joints for climbing. Because Alex is still recovering from his finger injury, he’s focusing on strengthening himself so that when he does return to climbing …

Projecting

May 7th, 2018 by Erica DeFrancesco

Alex heads to NYC as the CRG crew foreruns and projects climbs together preparing for the newest Central Rock Gym to open. Don’t miss the Easter Egg giveaway! Follow Alex as he starts the process of  going from climbing 5.9 …

Climbing Finger Injury / What to do! VLOG!

April 23rd, 2018 by

Follow Alex as he experiences a finger injury and figures out what went wrong; and how to fix it! He learns about the series of mistakes he made that all led to the finger injury. Instead of doing nothing, he …

Training for Climbing / Over Gripping! VLOG!

April 9th, 2018 by

In episode 2 of the VLOG, Alex meets with personal trainer Lisa about how to train to strengthen his weaknesses. Alex also meets with the setters in Cambridge to discuss how over gripping is holding him back and how to …

5.9 Climber to 5.13!

April 2nd, 2018 by

Join us as we follow Alex, the Creative Director at CRG, training to go from a 5.9 climber to 5.13! This VLOG will be an on going series detailing Alex’s experience as he tries to raise his game. Learn the …

Members are the true story of CRG

February 11th, 2018 by

There has never been a more exciting time to be a part of Central Rock Gym. The community of CRG is what drives us and motivates us. We strive every day to create a rich and vibrant community that gets …

Why we climb

June 15th, 2017 by CRG

Why do we climb? The simple answer is that we love it. You could say we climb here at CRG for "fun," even though we know amateur climbers who treat climbing like it is their job. It's a complex kind of fun, which mixes a challenge, fear, and an incredible awareness of the present moment. And often, a wonderful feeling of accomplishment at the top of a route or tricky boulder problem.

Stay up to date with our new blog

March 10th, 2017 by CRG

Central Rock Gym is pleased to debut the first post of an active Blog, which will highlight our community, and whats going on across all Central Rock Gym locations. It will be a way that the Central Rock ownership and …