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Get Better Faster: The Simple Path
To Climbing Harder Grades
Build your Technique Toolkit, Find the Right
Beta Quicker, And Unlock More Fun Climbs
A Letter from Magnus Midtbø
Oslo, Norway
Do you remember your first day at a climbing gym?
I can. It was an old dusty basement gym in Bergen, Norway.
I walked down the stairs and through the door and this huge 16 meter wall opened up in front of me. It was the coolest thing I’d ever seen.
Climbing to the top, that must be impossible.
It was terrifying, but I did get to the top. I didn’t care that it was the easiest route in the gym… It was the best feeling ever.
In that moment, the only thing I wanted to know was, how can I do this as much as possible?
The one time a week I could go was so precious to me. The whole week I would look forward to when I could climb.
And when they gave me a key to the gym 6 months later, that was it. I lived for the gym. Not to mention, I basically lived in the gym.
Since then, all my favorite moments of my life have involved climbing. Whether it’s just hanging with friends at the gym. Sending a hard climb I worked on for weeks. Or being on a trip in a stunning location, topping out a boulder.
In fact, I don’t have a family home to go back to anymore, so returning to the places of my early climbs is what “going home” means to me.
Now, the good news is you don’t need to be anything close to a pro climber to get the same joy out of climbing.
And since you're reading this, you probably get it. You’ve likely had some amazing experiences centered around climbing.
Maybe your first time was something like mine.
Maybe you stared up at the wall and wondered how you would ever get to the top.
And maybe now, walking into your gym is the best part of your week.
Which also means that you probably already figured out that…
The better you get, the better climbing gets.
First of all, getting better opens up a ton of new possibilities.
You’ll be able to literally try more climbs, because more climbs are within your skill level.
The climbs you can do also become cooler – you’ll be able to do that tricky overhang, or try the problem that has a fancy double dyno. And the moves become so much more interesting and fun – you’ll need to flag, climb with your feet first, or maybe even use a knee bar.
And eventually you might even take your climbing outside and do some of the most iconic routes climbers have done for decades.
Secondly, the process of getting better is actually really fun.
Reaching each new milestone feels pretty awesome.
Whether you’re sending a new grade for the first time. Or sticking your first dyno. Even upgrading your shoes to the next level is exciting!
And, let’s be super honest with each other for a second...
That feeling when you send a particularly hard climb. You know, the one you’ve been working on that your friend can’t figure out. The friend that’s usually better. Yeah, that one. That feels pretty good, too.
So, the better you get, the more your climbing world opens up and the more moments you get like that.
And that’s why becoming better is such a worthwhile pursuit in climbing.
However, getting better isn’t always obvious or straightforward…
The journey of getting better
One tricky thing in climbing is there aren’t any clear milestones to track progress. And in climbing, “getting better” is definitely not a straight line.
While climbing is mostly incredibly rewarding and it feels amazing to get better, there are also times when it can be frustrating.
Now, if you’re anything like me, you probably think that even a bad day at the gym is still a good day.
However, these moments might also seem familiar at times:
- You might struggle on a climb you sent easily last week, and you can’t figure out why you feel so weak this time
- Once someone shows you the beta, you easily finish a climb but you still struggle to figure it out on your own
- Sometimes you’re not sure if lack of strength is why you can’t send a problem or if it's just the wrong technique that holds you back
- Especially when you’re bouldering alone, your session might not be as fun and you bounce from one problem to another, trying whatever is the hardest “easy” problem you can do. That can feel a bit unfulfilling
- And there are still certain areas of your gym (like hangboards, training walls, etc.) that you casually ignore and eventually might get to
And…you might sometimes look up to a stronger climber and wonder if you’ll ever get to that level. Asking yourself, is that even possible for me?
Now, all of this is completely normal and it’s even part of the journey. Every climber I know has been through these stages.
And, after climbing for over twenty years, I’m happy to tell you that ANYONE can get better at climbing and most can get a lot stronger than they initially think.
And there’s ONE thing I’ve learned that will build your skill, help you climb harder, and unlock all that climbing has to offer better than anything else…
The best (and fastest) way to improve
your climbing
The best way I’ve found to get better is simple: climb with people better than you.
I know, this isn’t a big secret. You’ve probably even heard it before.
But it is the fastest (and most fun) way to send harder grades.
There are two things that happen when you’re around better climbers. You will...
1. Build Your Movement Repertoire
1. Build Your Movement Repertoire
Good climbers have this deep repertoire of movements and techniques they’ve honed for years or even decades.
So every time they tackle a new problem, they can go through a mental checklist and test various techniques and movements to see what works.
By spending time with experienced climbers, and actually seeing them work through the problems and hearing their thoughts, you’ll be able to expand your own technique toolkit.
It’s one thing to learn what a toe hook is, it’s another thing to be part of the process of figuring out when to use it, what subtle things to look for, and when to try something else.
This expands your movement repertoire and becomes ingrained in how you think. And, all of a sudden, impossible problems become doable and you start moving in a way, or trying things, you simply didn’t consider before.
2. Evolve Your Problem Solving (and Learn To Think Like a Pro)
2. Evolve Your Problem Solving (and Learn To Think Like a Pro)
How hard do you need to try?
Do you need to just muscle through a problem or do you need to adjust your technique?
How do you figure out beta?
Is this climb in your reach if you just try a few more times and you’re closer than you think? Or is this way too hard and a waste of time?
These are the more subtle things you learn from spending time with stronger climbers. It’s the things “in-between” or before you even chalk-up. You only experience these when you spend a full session with someone and work with them through a problem.
It’s these more intangible things that often make the biggest difference.
That’s why beginners often climb multiple grades harder simply by having someone more experienced next to them…
It’s not because they instantly become stronger, but because their approach changes and they start to see what’s possible. It’s the quickest way to jump multiple grades and it’s an effect that lasts.
This means that all those “getting better moments” we talked about? They can happen faster and more often just by being around better climbers.
Now I got really lucky in this regard.
When I was 18 I had the chance to move to Innsbruck, Austria and be around the world’s best climbers every time I went to gym.
And, it totally transformed my climbing.
I improved incredibly quickly. It shifted what I saw as possible. And I became a much better climber.
Of course, not everyone has the chance to pack their bags and move to Austria to climb with the world’s best.
And, that’s why I decided to put together my first-ever online bouldering course.
I believe that most climbers have a ton of untapped potential and I love to see it unlocked.
So, this course is my invitation for you to come climbing with me.
Hi! I’m Magnus Midtbø.
I’ve been a professional rock climber for almost twenty years. During that time, I won the Norwegian championships 14 years in a row, placed third in the World Games, on-sighted 5.14c, and redpointed 5.15b.
Nowadays, I share my love of climbing with over 2 million subscribers on YouTube and try to introduce this amazing sport to as many people as possible.
I also helped start a number of gyms to make climbing even more accessible for people.
I know what it did for me back in that dusty gym in Bergen when I was just 10 years old.
Climbing has been my life and I’ve had some amazing experiences.
Now that I’ve retired from competition climbing, I’ve made it my mission to help others find the same kind of joy.
And so now, I am beyond excited to show you what I’ve been working on.
Introducing…
Come with me to the gym in my new virtual video climbing course. You’ll improve your technique, think about climbing in new ways, and start sending harder grades.
I cover everything from buying your first pair of climbing shoes, to expanding your technique toolkit, gently building finger strength, playful exercises and drills you can use to warm up or train, and how to project routes and quickly move up through the grades.
In addition to all the things I directly teach and demonstrate, I invited over 20 volunteers on set – ranging from brand-new to slightly more advanced climbers – all with different body types, strengths and weaknesses, and preferred styles. (This means you will have someone you can relate to in the course).
I coached each climber through a number of different boulder problems, exercises, and techniques. Which means, you not only get all the technical information, but you see me work with volunteers through many different aspects of climbing. Each session has its own focus and twist, and you will learn something from every video.
Finally see what happens between edits
The pacing of the videos is A LOT slower than any of my YouTube videos – and that’s on purpose. Instead of just cutting to the “interesting” parts, I want you to get an actual feel for how long it takes to solve a boulder, how long you should rest, and how messy the process can be. You will hear and see what’s going through my head, how to think through a problem, and what to pay attention to. You’ll learn when to try harder, and when to change your approach, and you’ll experience what’s actually possible.
This alone will instantly make you see routes at your own gym in a whole new light.
You’ll get to witness all the little things that happen in between. The banter during the breaks, and the little adjustments that make all the difference.
In short, this course is truly the closest thing to actually being in the gym with me.
The Roadmap to Sending Harder Climbs
Bouldering Blueprint is your guide to bouldering better.
While working through the self-paced course, you will:
- Build your technique toolkit
The more techniques you know, the more options you have to solve tricky problems. We’ll go through all foundational techniques like toe hooks and heel hooks, and more advanced moves like bicycle and drop knees. When you find yourself stuck, you can use your new skills to find beta quicker. - Think about climbing like a pro
So much of climbing happens while your feet are still on the ground. You’ll discover how pro climbers approach a climb and think through beta. Plus, we’ll discuss how and when to use various techniques and skills, and the mindset necessary to send more difficult climbs. - Expand your climbing horizon
No more aimlessly walking around by yourself. Get the most out of your sessions – whether you have all evening to climb or only an hour. You’ll get a plethora of drills and exercises that spice up your session, and I’ll introduce you to areas of your gym you might have ignored so far. - Climb harder
I mean, that’s the ultimate goal, right? Using all the above, you’ll begin to send climbs you struggled with before. You’ll find yourself wanting to head to the gym even more, just because you’re having so much fun – and you will more quickly move up through the grades, feel stronger, and have more confidence.
Every lesson is designed to expand your capabilities right away, so you’ll be able to apply new skills, techniques, and movements the very same day you enroll in the course!
Here’s what you’ll learn inside Bouldering Blueprint
Bouldering Blueprint is the closest thing to being in the gym with me. We’ll start out with the absolute basics – from what gear you need, and which shoes to buy, to everything you need to know about climbing at the gym.
From there, we quickly move on and dig into technique, exercises, drills, hangboarding, using training boards, projecting, and so much more.
And since the course is completely self-paced, you can take it from beginning to end or hop into sections and lessons that fit your climbing journey (especially if you’re already past the absolute beginner stage).
Here’s an overview of what we’ll cover together:
Module 0: Foundations
Module 0: Foundations
- Climbing gym 101 – basic rules and etiquette to feel like a pro on your first visit.
- “Matching,” “Beta”, and “Topping out” – know all of the climbing terms you’ll hear at the gym.
- Gear, clothes, and chalk – what chalk to buy, what to wear, and which “gear” actually matters.
- Climbing shoes 101 – everything you need to know to pick the right shoes (which are actually not beginner shoes for beginners!) and knowing when to upgrade.
- Decoding holds – learn the names of all the different holds and the most important tips and tricks for each. (This will make you instantly climb a bit better on your first try.)
- Slab, overhang, and volumes – get to know all the features of a climbing wall, and a few simple rules for each.
- Grading galore – what do climbing grades mean, what grades exist, and how to decode the grades and colors at your gym.
Module 1: Improving Technique
- The most common beginner mistakes, and how to easily avoid them. (More intermediate climbers can also benefit from this.)
- First time on the wall – see me coach two beginners through their very first time on the wall. (You’ll pick up a lot!)
- How to approach a boulder, what to look for, and how to plan your beta before touching any holds.
- Technique toolkit – we cover ALL the techniques you’ll need, and tips and nuances for each you’ve probably never heard of before.
- How to add new moves to your repertoire – watch me coach two intermediate climbers using new techniques. (It’s actually surprising what the process really looks like!)
- Light on your feet – two exercises to polish your footwork.
- More efficiency – two exercises to conserve energy, and climb more smoothly. (And learning when to breathe!)
- Perfecting technique – the best exercise to hone your technique, and get a little better every time you go to the gym. (This also makes for a perfect warm-up.)
- Bonus: My tips for blisters, flappers, and taking care of your skin!
Module 1: Improving Technique
Module 2: Determining Beta
Module 2: Determining Beta
- Level up your beta reading skills by thinking like a route setter.
- Learn how to read a problem from the ground and begin to really “understand” a route.
- Trying different beta – when to switch things up and how to figure out “the best” way.
- What to learn from pro climbers and how they read beta during a competition.
- How to spot the obvious signs to use toe hooks, heel hooks, and other techniques. (This will quickly level up how often you flash even hard boulders.)
- Benefits of making up your own boulders, and why it’s one of the best ways to hone your technique and get better at reading beta.
- To skip or not to skip? When you should skip holds, and when you should definitely use them.
- Chalk marks – how subtle ways of reading signs on the wall can tell you how to actually send a route. (And when to ignore them!)
- How to master overhangs – this is how you take weight off of your hands. (You might just start to love steep climbs.)
Module 3: Climbing Harder
- When to move up to the next grade and when to master the grade you’re currently at.
- Muscle memory – going from impossible to “easy” by using rest and breaks the right way.
- Body positioning – how to keep your body close to the wall, and turn a hard route into an easy one.
- Working the crux – how to isolate hard moves and master them more quickly.
- Limit bouldering – the best exercise to work on the edge of your skill level, and push yourself to the next grade.
- Plan from the ground 2.0 – what beta works best for your body, and more nuanced approaches.
- Three essential climbing drills you should do on a regular basis! (You can do these on your own, every time you go to the gym alone or want to spice up a session.)
- Partner exercises – “Add-on” and “Blackout Bouldering,” try new moves and perfect your technique while “competing” with a friend.
- Coach yourself – why you should film yourself once in a while and why it’ll make you better!
Module 3: Climbing Harder
Module 4: Getting Stronger
Module 4: Getting Stronger
- Why warming up matters and how to prevent injuries.
- The most important (and effective) strength, flexibility, and warm-up exercises! [For this, I partnered with climber and physical therapist Dr. Jason Hooper from the YouTube channel, Hooper’s Beta]
- Three sample strength circuits specifically designed to make you stronger on the wall.
- Training Boards 101 – learn the basics of the various boards and how to integrate them into your training.
- Build your own boulder! An effective exercise to track your progress, improve your route reading, and increase your strength.
- Use Circuit Pointing to increase your endurance, get pumped less easily, and add variety to your sessions.
- Intro to Hangboarding – a safe way to begin training your finger strength with just a few minutes each week.
- Pocket Training – reduce injuries and get your fingers stronger.
Module 5: Projecting and Hard Moves
- My simple, three-step approach to start sticking dynos consistently.
- Static vs dynamic – when to go for it, when to skip holds, and when to balance your way to the top.
- Mastering your anti-style – how to approach bouldering problems that don’t fit your style and why you shouldn’t ignore them.
- Commit and send – how to attack the wall, and stick hard moves.
- Complex moves (doing multiple things at once) and how to break them down and put them back together step by step.
- Moving outside your comfort zone – build your confidence and move past fear and doubt.
- How to tackle hard to read problems and when to just get on the wall.
- What working on your limit looks like – when to try again, and when to move on.
- Competition style problems with big moves, and the mental shift to send them.
- Dynos, run and jump starts, tricky slabs, and how to stick impossible seeming moves.
Module 5: Projecting and Hard Moves
3 Special Bonuses
Bonus #1: Exclusive Altitude Community
When you join this course, you’ll get to connect with hundreds of other passionate climbers inside the private Facebook community.
- Share your progress and get encouragement and support from fellow climbers.
- Get instant feedback on your technique from others in the community, so you can improve even faster.
- Make friends with people from every corner of the world, who love climbing just like you. (Who knows? Maybe you’ll connect with someone nearby or meet up in amazing climbing locations.)
Bonus #2: 6 Gym Session Plans
Want to climb with your friends and just have fun? Great, that’s one of my favorite things to do. But if you’re heading to the gym on your own or with an ambitious friend and want some structure… I got you. I outlined six gym sessions you can pick up and follow along. No thinking necessary. You’ll receive a PDF of 6 sample sessions outlining different fun and challenging warmups, drills, and exercises to try at the gym.
Bonus #3: Q&A Video
You’ll get access to an additional video where I answer the most common questions from course members, such as “How do I get over my fear of big, committing moves?”, “What is the best way to train core strength?” and “How to climb a boulder in the most efficient way?”
Enroll in Bouldering Blueprint
When you enroll in the course, you get lifetime access to all course materials.
What’s included:
- Over 60 in-depth video lessons and full-length coaching session recordings (beautifully shot with multiple cameras)
- Bonus #1: Exclusive Bouldering Blueprint Facebook Group
- Bonus #2: Gym Session Plans
- Bonus #3: Q&A Video
- And extras like PDFs, written tips & tricks, gear-discounts, and much more
Plus, you’ll be backed by my 14-day money-back guarantee.
Join now:
One single payment of $99 (USD)
My 14-Day Money-Back Guarantee
I want to give you the chance to try Bouldering Blueprint for yourself and start seeing the effects it has on your climbing.
That’s why I’m giving you a full two weeks to start exploring the course.
If you find the course isn’t a good fit, simply email the Altitude team within 14 days and we’ll return your full investment, no questions asked.
Watch a short compilation of reviews from
course members
If you’re not sure if this course is right for you, check out what course members said about it:
…or read about their experiences:
“This course has been super useful to me so far. For someone who climbs alone a lot, it’s nice to have things I can train and work on in my solo sessions. Then, when I climb with my friends, I can focus on sending climbs and having fun. I have even been able to share some knowledge and techniques I picked up from the course when I see a friend struggling with something I just learned to overcome.”
- Kieran
“This course is super informative and extremely well rounded, I myself am a beginner to intermediate climber and there was stuff in this course that I’d never used before that really helped. I like how it’s very beginner friendly because a lot of ’beginner friendly’ material isn’t always beginner friendly! I also like that you have beginners climbing with you to show that the techniques actually do work when tested. Big love to Magnus and the community ❤️”
- Bailey
“Really good course covering almost all aspects of bouldering. As a beginner it was super useful and my skills sky-rocketed by using all of Magnus' advice, this especially regarding drills, exercises, and the fun games you can do with your gym buddies which I would never thought of by myself.”
- Leonardo
“This course is a great introduction for new climbers. It essentially condenses the first couple of years of going to the gym and organically learning technique from either trial and error or talking to the other climbers there as well as ensuring bad habits are avoided, into a series of entertaining and educational videos and more in-depth, well structured written sections that are easy to follow. I can see it really making the difference for a lot of new climbers who might not otherwise enjoy their first few times at the gym due to feeling lost or who quickly reach their physical limit due to a lack of technique and thus aren’t able to enjoy the problem solving aspect of more challenging climbs.”
- Ethan
“Little changes make a big difference. When I was on the wall, there was one point where I couldn’t balance quite well, and so I couldn’t get both hands on the top hold. But then Magnus just showed me to adjust my foot, just tweak it one little way, and that made all the difference. Now if I feel like a move is unattainable, maybe think about how I can just tweak a little thing here and there, to try and make it a little bit easier for me.”
- Kim
“I’ve learned a few new techniques [...] that helped me keep tension on the wall and reach further away holds. I’ve also learned how to better apply techniques I already knew, such as heel hooking and toe hooking. Now when I walk into a gym and I’m looking at routes, I know a lot more of what to look for... Trying to understand what a route setter intended by a route and using that and applying it to my beta.”
- Ian
“Normally, I’m either working on something that my friends are working on and just trying to keep up, or if I just see something that looks fun and go after it. But I don’t often try things that are out of style or just things that are too much above my elements. So it’s cool to be able to work on things that I probably wouldn’t have gone after. Routes that maybe would’ve seemed impossible for me now are like, ’Oh cool, I can actually do something on this. Even if I can’t complete it, I can make progress.’ Instead of just being like, ’well, it didn’t work the first couple of tries, so I’m on to the next thing.’ The next time I get to the gym I’ll feel more focused.”
- Cameron
Questions and Answers about
Bouldering Blueprint
Q. What level of climbing is required for this course, and how do I know if it’s right for me?
Bouldering Blueprint is perfect for beginner climbers. This means you probably have been climbing less than two years and climb below V5/6c.
If you climb harder than that but want to brush up on your fundamentals, you could still benefit from the course, like course member Benjamin:
“I’m climbing V8 right now but this course was great to brush back up on my fundamentals. It went into detail really well and answered all the questions I would think were too dumb to ask. If you’re thinking about getting into climbing or have just begun your journey there is no better course. You will learn the fundamentals and Magnus will answer all the questions you’re too afraid to ask. Can’t recommend it enough! Super stoked for the more advanced course.”
If you’re not sure whether the course is right for you, that’s okay too! Feel free to join the course and go through it. If it isn’t a good fit, just let us know and we’ll gladly return your full investment within the first 14 days.
Q. Do I need to be available at certain times to participate? What if my schedule gets busy?
Bouldering Blueprint is a self-paced online course, so you can go through the lessons at any time that is convenient for you. And because you get lifetime access when you join, you don’t need to worry about your schedule getting busy. If something does come up in your schedule that prevents you from starting right away or slows down your progress, the course will always be available for you to pick up again whenever you can come back to it.
Q. What kind of gear do I need for this course?
You don’t need anything to get started. You can initially rent a pair of shoes at a climbing gym near you and typically borrow or purchase chalk there. In the course, I’ll walk you through the best shoes for beginners (which are actually not beginner shoes), what chalk bag to buy, and a few other small things you might want to get later on.
Q. I’m not overly excited about drills, training, and exercises (Climbing is fun, not a job!); is this course for me?
Yep! I do show you a number of really effective drills and exercises (and I think they’re pretty fun), but you don’t need to do any of them. There are plenty of other things in the course that will help you refine your technique, get better at reading beta, and start climbing harder. No drills required.
Q. I’m not a big fan of certain climbing styles. Will this course be a good fit?
Yes. We go over all kinds of styles (from slab to overhang to big dynos). There will be something that fits exactly your style. However, I also hope that you might actually get excited to try some new things once you go through the course.
Q. How much gym time should I plan for this course?
That’s entirely up to you. Though, for most beginners, going around three times a week to the gym is plenty. For super passionate beginners, going too often is actually more of a problem than not going often enough! To that end: you always want to listen to your body and stop when you feel any pain or discomfort. On the lower end, if you go once or twice a week, you should still make steady progress.
Q. What happens if I try the course but don’t end up liking it?
If you find the course isn’t a good fit, simply email my team within 14 days and I’ll refund your entire purchase, unconditionally.
Is this course
right for you?
You’ll know Bouldering Blueprint is a good fit for you if…
- You’ve been watching climbing videos for a while and are ready to give it a go yourself
- You’ve been climbing for a few months or years and feel like you’re not progressing as much as you’d like
- Your technique could use some polishing, and you want to get stronger
- You struggle with reading beta and want to get better at figuring out problems
- You’re ready to take your climbing to the next level
- You want to incorporate actual drills and exercises in your sessions
- You want to learn how to get stronger fingers and start hangboarding
- You want to climb harder and break into higher grades
If any of these sound familiar, then Bouldering Blueprint will be the perfect self-directed journey for you to embark on.
Join now and get lifetime access to:
- Over 60 in-depth video lessons and full-length coaching session recordings (beautifully shot with multiple cameras)
- Bonus #1: Exclusive Bouldering Blueprint Facebook Group
- Bonus #2: Gym Session Plans
- Bonus #3: Q&A Videos
- And extras like PDFs, written tips & tricks, gear-discounts, and many more
Plus, you’ll be backed by my 14-day money-back guarantee.
Join now:
One single payment of $99 (USD)
Anyone Can Get Better at Climbing
After 20 years in the sport, I believe that anyone can get better at climbing.
You don’t need to be a prodigy. You don’t need to have superhuman strength. You don’t need to be the most flexible person. And you don’t need to have a certain body type.
Almost anyone can make tremendous progress in their climbing with just a bit of the right guidance and advice. And most people are already a lot stronger than they think.
When filming the course all of the volunteers jumped grades within just a few sessions. And I think you can make the same progress.
By improving your technique, knowing how to think through a problem, and learning a few other tricks, you can feel much stronger in a short period of time and be able to send climbs that seemed impossible just a little while ago.
So, if you’re ready to unlock that next level in your climbing, I hope you join me inside the course.
