Most climbers fail to reach their potential because they rely on generic workout routines that ignore their specific physical limitations and climbing style. According to industry data on athletic development, personalized programming increases success rates by addressing individual biomechanics and recovery needs. At Paradigm Climbing, we provide the structured path you need to move beyond unstructured training and take ownership of your progress. (Paradigm Climbing Rock Climbing)

Why Custom Training Beats Generic Plans

Generic training plans often lead to plateaus or injuries because they do not account for your current strength baseline or specific weaknesses. A customized climbing training program is designed to address your unique needs, whether you are a beginner trying to grasp the basics or an elite athlete preparing for a World Cup competition.

At Paradigm Climbing, we focus on helping climbers understand why and how training works. This approach ensures you do not just follow instructions blindly but develop the mental and physical resilience required for long-term growth. Our methodology is rooted in evidence-based practices that optimize performance while preventing overtraining.

When you work with a professional coach, you gain access to periodized training protocols. These protocols carefully control volume, duration, and load to ensure you peak at the right time. This level of detail is impossible to replicate with a static PDF or a one-size-fits-all app.

Meet the Coaches Behind Your Success

The quality of your training plan depends entirely on the expertise of the coach designing it. Our team consists of elite climbers and certified professionals who have dedicated their lives to the sport.

Coach Charlie Schreiber, CSCS

Charlie is the founder of Paradigm Climbing and a professional climbing coach with 20 years of climbing experience. His background includes competitive climbing up to the World Cup level and route setting. He has climbed up to the V13 and 5.14a level, demonstrating a deep understanding of high-performance climbing.

Over his 16 years of coaching, Charlie has personally trained over 1000 climbers. He has mentored multiple athletes to progress from Day 1, V0 to the V16 and V17 level. His work focuses on helping climbers understand the mechanics of training, allowing them to move beyond unstructured efforts. As a certified strength and conditioning coach, he brings a scientific rigor to every plan he creates.

Coach Mattias Braach-Maksvytis

Mattias is an Australian climber with outdoor and competition experience spanning 22 years. He is a V14 boulderer and a first ascensionist who has coached rock climbers for competitions and the outdoors for the last 8 years. Climbing is Mattias's life, and he combines strength training, technique, and tactics to improve overall power.

With a background in physical therapy and strength training, Mattias prescribes periodized training protocols that control volume, duration, and load. His approach is designed to optimize performance, prevent injury, and improve performance over the short and long-term. He shares Charlie’s holistic approach to training, ensuring all factors affecting performance are addressed.

Coach Matt Ratajczak

Matt Ratajczak is a professional routesetter and climbing coach based in Albuquerque. Since beginning his climbing career in 2008, he has coached and mentored multiple youth and open Team USA Climbing athletes. He helps develop competitors at the national level, bringing a unique perspective on route reading and technical precision.

Choosing Your Training Path

Paradigm Climbing offers two primary avenues for training, each designed to meet different needs and commitment levels. Understanding the difference is crucial for selecting the right path for your goals.

Custom Designed Programs

Custom plans are the gold standard for climbers who want personalized attention. These programs are tailored to your schedule, commitment level, and finances. They are perfect for indoor and outdoor athletes, ranging from beginner to elite levels (V0/5.5 to V16/5.15c). Whether you are a sport climber, boulderer, trad climber, or competition climber, a custom plan adapts to your specific discipline.

With a custom plan, Charlie Schreiber is there with you every step of the way for advice, time, and support. This direct line of communication allows for real-time adjustments based on your feedback and progress. It eliminates the guesswork and ensures that every session contributes directly to your goals.

Full Spectrum Pre-Written Plans

For climbers who prefer a structured starting point, the Full Spectrum series offers pre-written plans that are awesome for climbers of all ages and skill levels. These plans are designed to help you overcome a climbing plateau or send your project.

The Full Spectrum plan includes six varied climbing training sessions weekly, nine technical drills, an enhanced warm-up routine, a comprehensive hip mobility program, and non-climbing strength training. This comprehensive approach ensures that you are addressing all aspects of your physical profile.

The Science of Periodization

Periodization is the systematic planning of athletic or physical training. In the context of climbing, it involves cycling through different phases of training to maximize performance and minimize injury risk. This is not just a buzzword; it is a fundamental principle of sports science.

Our coaches use periodization to control volume, duration, and load. By manipulating these variables, we can ensure that you are always training at the appropriate intensity. This prevents the common pitfall of overtraining, which can lead to burnout and injury.

According to research in sports physiology, periodized training leads to greater strength gains and better long-term adaptation compared to non-periodized training. This is why our coaches emphasize the importance of structured planning. It allows for progressive overload, which is essential for continuous improvement.

Furthermore, periodization helps manage fatigue. By planning rest and recovery periods, we ensure that your body has time to adapt to the stress of training. This results in sustained performance improvements over months and years, rather than quick, unsustainable spikes.

Who Should Work With a Coach?

Many climbers believe that working with a coach is only for elite athletes. This is a misconception. Climbing is a complex skill that benefits from expert guidance at every stage of development.

If you are a beginner, a coach can help you build a solid foundation of technique and strength. This prevents the development of bad habits that are difficult to unlearn later. If you are an intermediate climber, a coach can help you break through plateaus by identifying specific weaknesses.

For advanced and elite climbers, coaching is essential for fine-tuning performance. The margins for error are smaller at this level, and every detail matters. Our coaches have experience working with athletes who have progressed from Day 1 to national championships and World Cup top 10 finishes.

Regardless of your level, a coach provides accountability and motivation. Climbing training can be lonely and challenging. Having a professional guide you through the process ensures that you stay on track and continue to make progress.

Key Takeaways

• Paradigm Climbing was founded by Charlie Schreiber, who has over 20 years of climbing experience and has coached athletes to V17 levels.
• Coach Mattias Braach-Maksvytis brings 22 years of experience and a background in physical therapy to his coaching practice.
• Custom training plans are tailored to your specific schedule, commitment level, and financial situation for maximum effectiveness.
• The Full Spectrum pre-written plan includes six varied climbing sessions weekly and nine technical drills for comprehensive development.
• Periodization is a critical component of our training methodology, designed to prevent overtraining and optimize performance.
• Our coaches have mentored athletes to become Youth and Open National Champions, World Cup Top 10 finishers, and 5.14d sport climbers.
• Coach Matt Ratajczak specializes in working with youth and open Team USA Climbing athletes, providing national-level expertise.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a custom plan and a pre-written plan?

A custom plan is designed specifically for you by a coach, taking into account your unique goals, schedule, and physical condition. A pre-written plan, like the Full Spectrum series, is a structured program designed for a broader audience and follows a set schedule.

How long does it take to see results from a custom training plan?

Results vary depending on your starting point and consistency. However, most climbers begin to notice improvements in technique and strength within the first few weeks. Long-term progress, such as sending harder routes, typically takes months of dedicated training.

Do you offer coaching for outdoor climbing specifically?

Yes, our coaches have extensive experience in both indoor and outdoor climbing. We can tailor your training to focus on the specific skills needed for trad climbing, sport climbing, or bouldering in the outdoors.

Can a coach help me avoid injuries?

Absolutely. Our coaches use periodization and load management to prevent overtraining and injury. They also focus on mobility and strength balance to ensure your body is resilient enough to handle the demands of climbing.

What qualifications do your coaches have?

Our coaches include certified strength and conditioning specialists (CSCS), professional routesetters, and elite climbers with decades of experience at the national and international levels.

Is coaching only for competitive climbers?

No, coaching is beneficial for climbers of all levels and goals. Whether you want to climb your first V-grade, send a 5.12, or compete at the World Cup, a coach can help you achieve your objectives.

How do I get started with Paradigm Climbing?

You can start by exploring our training plans or contacting us directly to discuss your goals. Coach Charlie reads every email personally and is excited to answer any questions you may have.

Start Your Journey

Stop guessing and start climbing with purpose. Whether you need a custom plan or a structured pre-written program, Paradigm Climbing has the expertise to guide you. Visit our contact page to get started or learn more about our coaching team. Your next level is waiting.