What is the Lattice Board?
Lattice Training, a renowned climbing training company, offers a range of resources and tools, including the exclusive Lattice Board. This unique assessment tool, designed by experienced climbing coaches Ollie Tor and Tom Randall, is not available for purchase and is only accessible at select facilities, adding an element of exclusivity to its use.
However, this novel tool made a name for itself in climbing training, so it’s worth diving into the details even if you’re unlikely to climb on one. If you can utilize a Lattice Board, you’ll know how to leverage its unique features.
What is the Purpose of the Lattice Board?
The Lattice Board is the ultimate standardized testing tool for technique, endurance, and overall climbing profile. It works best when combined with Lattice Online assessments or under the direction of a Lattice-accredited coach. At the end of an evaluation using the Lattice Board, you’ll have objective data on your movement efficiency, finger strength, endurance, recovery, mobility, and other climbing-related physical attributes.
Aside from its assessment capabilities, the Lattice Board offers a wide range of training options, making it a versatile tool for climbers. The board can be used for various purposes, from movement practice to system training and general conditioning, including working on drop knees, hip positioning, and endurance circuits.
The board includes a pre-determined circuit, numbered for ease of use.
How is the Lattice Board set up?
The Lattice Board is a diamond grid composed of wooden rungs. The rules for most assessments and circuits on the board are as follows:
● Rungs as side pulls
● Don’t use your thumbs
● Only use wooden rungs (don’t use the colored rung joints or slotted edges in the middle of the rungs.
Some Lattice Boards may feature the Lattice Fusion Holds. These are crimps of three sizes. Blue crimps have the largest edge, yellow crimps have a medium-sized edge, and red crimps have the smallest edge.
How do you complete an assessment or training on the Lattice Board?
Generally, the Lattice Board will be a better tool for intermediate to advanced climbers looking to hone in on their weaknesses and formulate a customized training plan. For those in this boat, download the Lattice Training App or visit Lattice Training’s website for self-assessment, guided assessment, and training program options. Lattice Traning’s YouTube channel also offers another digital option with assessments using the Lattice Board: the Crimpd App.
Training options vary depending on how climbers use the board. For example, they can complete the McClure circuit, which only uses the rung holds, gastons, and open-hip positions to assess and improve their shoulder and lock-off strength. The Fusion Hold Set add-ons are optimal for power endurance training and circuits. Changing the angle of the wall can increase or decrease the difficulty of both the rung and crimp circuits.
We’d love to hear from you! If you’ve had the opportunity to train on a Lattice Board or know of any climbing gyms/training centers where others can try out the tool, please share your experience in the comments below. Your insights can be valuable for others in the climbing community!
