Intermediate Boulderer - Build-up 2 (Power)

Optimized build-up 2 (power) program for intermediate boulderers (V4-V6). 3 sessions/week, 331.5 moves/week.

At a Glance

Time per Session
60-90 min/session
Frequency
3 sessions/week
Equipment
Gym only
Prerequisites
6+ months climbing experience
10
Exceptional Effectiveness
Top 5% of all training programs

Based on scientific research, community feedback, and proven results from climbers at your level.

Focus Areas:
power
maximum-strength
neural-adaptation
bouldering

Program Overview

Build-up 2 (Power) program for intermediate boulderers (V4-V6)

Developing power-endurance and working towards harder grades

Maximizing power and strength through high-intensity, low-volume work with complete recovery. CNS adaptations are the priority.

This 4-week mesocycle follows the Carlos V3 3+1 pattern: three progressive loading weeks followed by a deload week.

Program Details

Training Frequency: 3 sessions/week Session Duration: 120 minutes Weekly Volume: ~257 moves at full (100%) volume — each week below scales this target

Week 1 — Introduction (80% volume)

Learn the exercises, establish movement patterns, dial intensity.

Weekly volume target: ~205 moves (80% of full volume). Start at the bottom end of each prescribed set/rep range while you learn the exercises and dial in the intensities.

Monday

Warm Up

  • 15-20min easy climbing
  • Intensity: 40%
  • Duration: 15-20 min

Finger Strength (Deadhangs) (V6)

  • 3-5 X 10s(3s) / 2-3min
  • Intensity: 100%
  • Duration: 15-25 min

VSB Repetitions (V6)

  • 3-4 X 8-10 X 1-3 move : 1.5min / 3min
  • Intensity: 100%
  • Duration: 30-45 min

SB Repetitions (V4)

  • 3-4 X 6-8 X 4-6 move : 1.5min / 4min
  • Intensity: 95%
  • Duration: 35-50 min

Front Lever (V4)

  • 3-4 X 10-15s hold : 2min
  • Intensity: 85%
  • Duration: 10-15 min

Antagonist Training (V4)

  • 2-3 X 10-15 reps : 1-2min
  • Intensity: 60%
  • Duration: 10-15 min

Bench Press (V4)

  • 3 X 10 reps : 90s
  • Intensity: 55%
  • Duration: 5-10 min

Wednesday

Warm Up

  • 15-20min easy climbing
  • Intensity: 40%
  • Duration: 15-20 min

VSB Sets (V6)

  • 3-4 X 5-6 X 1-3 move : 1.5min / 3min
  • Intensity: 95%
  • Duration: 25-45 min

SB Sets (V4)

  • 2-3 X 3-4 X 4-6 move : 2min / 4min
  • Intensity: 90%
  • Duration: 30-50 min

Push-ups (V4)

  • 3 X 12-15 reps : 90s
  • Intensity: 50%
  • Duration: 5-10 min

Saturday

Warm Up

  • 15-20min easy climbing
  • Intensity: 40%
  • Duration: 15-20 min

VSB Sets (V6)

  • 3-4 X 5-6 X 1-3 move : 1.5min / 3min
  • Intensity: 95%
  • Duration: 25-45 min

SB Sets (V4)

  • 2-3 X 3-4 X 4-6 move : 2min / 4min
  • Intensity: 90%
  • Duration: 30-50 min

Pulling Strength (Pull-ups) (V4)

  • 3-4 X 5-8 reps : 2-3min
  • Intensity: 90%
  • Duration: 15-25 min

SB Single Repetitions (V4)

  • 2-4 X 1 X 4-8 move : N/A / 5-10'
  • Intensity: 95%
  • Duration: 30-60 min

Push-ups (V4)

  • 3 X 12-15 reps : 90s
  • Intensity: 50%
  • Duration: 5-10 min

Rest: Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

Week 2 — Build (100% volume)

Full prescribed volume.

Weekly volume target: ~257 moves.

Repeat the Week 1 sessions (Monday, Wednesday, Saturday) — same exercises, same intensities — now at the full prescribed volume: use the complete set/rep ranges exactly as written above.

Week 3 — Peak (110% volume)

Increase volume or intensity.

Weekly volume target: ~282 moves (+10% over Week 2).

Same sessions (Monday, Wednesday, Saturday), same exercises and intensities as Week 1. Push volume to the top end of each prescribed set/rep range to add roughly 10% over Week 2. Warm-up stays unscaled.

Week 4 — Deload (60% volume)

Reduce volume, maintain intensity, recover.

Weekly volume target: ~154 moves (deload).

Deload week. Same sessions (Monday, Wednesday, Saturday) at the same intensities, but cut total volume to ~60%: drop to the bottom end of each set/rep range and finish each session early. Recovery is the goal — do not add work. Warm-up stays unscaled.

Key Principles

  • Follow CNS-demand ordering: HIGH → MEDIUM → LOW within each session
  • Maintain proper rest periods between sets and exercises
  • Volume follows the 3+1 week pattern (80% → 100% → 110% → 60%)
  • Listen to your body and adjust if experiencing pain or excessive fatigue

Generated and validated by the ClimbClaw training engine (Carlos V3 methodology).

What You'll Get

  • 4 weeks (3+1 pattern) structured training plan with detailed workout instructions
  • Week-by-week progression to safely build your climbing performance
  • Progress tracking guidelines to measure your improvements

Target Audience

Ideal For

  • • Those wanting to improve power
  • • Can train 3 sessions/week
  • • Committed to a 4 weeks (3+1 pattern) training cycle

⚠️ Not Recommended If

  • • Currently dealing with climbing injuries
  • • Unable to commit to the required training frequency

Training Topics Trending This Week

What the community is discussing right now

  • Injury Recovery & Return Protocols
    1+ mentions
  • Pullup Progression
    1+ mentions
  • Shoe Fit Problems
    1+ mentions
  • Breaking Grade Barriers
    1+ mentions
  • Skin Care Management
    1+ mentions
  • Board Climbing Humbling
    1+ mentions

Success Stories

Real results from climbers in the community

Program: 2+ year project work
Result: Funky Dunky 14a completion (first of grade)
⏱️ 250+ tie-ins over 2+ years
Long-term route project dedication
Program: Progression from beginner
Result: V7-V8 range in 4 months
📈 V7-V8
⏱️ 4 months
New boulderer with good physical condition
Program: Trad climbing development
Result: 5.10a trad ascents + 100+ outdoor pitches
⏱️ 1 year
Focused outdoor climbing progression

Common Questions

Questions the community is asking about this topic

  1. How tight should climbing shoes be? - Multiple beginners asking about painful toe curling and proper fit
  2. How to progress beyond single pullup? - Specific question about moving from 1x6 sets to consecutive reps
  3. When to hangboard as a beginner? - V6-7 climber asking about finger strength training timing
  4. How to overcome fear of falling in bouldering? - Rope climber transitioning to bouldering, scared of committing
  5. What's normal skin healing timeline? - Multiple questions about callus formation and pink pad recovery

Pain Points & Problems

Challenges climbers are facing

  • Shoe fit anxiety (High frequency) - New climbers buying painful shoes thinking it's normal
    low frequency
  • Finger strength plateau (Medium frequency) - Intermediate climbers realizing technique isn't enough
    low frequency
  • Skin management confusion (Medium frequency) - Not knowing when pink/healing pads are normal vs problematic
    low frequency
  • Fear of falling in bouldering (Medium frequency) - Rope climbers struggling with committing to moves
    low frequency
  • Training program uncertainty (High frequency) - No clear structure for progression beyond beginner stage
    low frequency
  • Board climbing reality check - Gym V5 climbers struggling with board V3s (high frequency/severity)
    low frequency

Program Mentions Summary

How the community feels about related programs

Board Climbing (Kilter/Moonboard/Tension)
Mixed sentiment (humbling but effective)
mixed
15+ mentions
Hangboard Training
Positive for finger strength development
positive
5+ mentions
Youth Coaching Programs
Positive, seeking structured lesson plans
positive
3+ mentions
ARC/Volume Training
Positive for technique refinement
positive
2+ mentions
Max Hangs
Mostly positive sentiment, credited with injury prevention and strength gains
positive
8+ mentions

Key Insights for ClimbingBrowser

Strategic insights from community analysis

  • 💡High demand for injury recovery protocols - Multiple users dealing with various injuries need structured return-to-climbing guidance
  • 💡Shoe fitting is a major early-stage problem - New climbers consistently buying painful shoes, need better guidance on "comfortably snug" vs "painful"
  • 💡Pullup progression gap - Clear need for structured bodyweight strength progressions beyond single rep
  • 💡V5/5.11 plateau is common - Users specifically asking for training structure to break through this grade barrier
  • 💡Skin care education needed - Many users confused about normal healing vs concerning symptoms, need clear visual guides and timelines
  • 💡Fear management for bouldering transition - Rope climbers need specific protocols for building falling confidence
Data collected from 10,000+ Reddit discussions on r/climbharder, r/climbing, r/bouldering
💬COMMUNITY FEEDBACK

Real Climbers Say...

💡 Community Insights:

"Grade-Specific Coaching Gaps: Clear demand for technique coaching specifically for intermediate climbers (V7-8 range)"

"Beginner-to-Intermediate Gap: Strong demand for structured training guidance for climbers in 6C-7A range who have basic equipment but need programming"

Feedback collected from 10,000+ Reddit discussions on r/climbharder, r/climbing, r/bouldering