How to Build a Climbing Training Board

A climbing training board is essentially a small portion of a climbing wall which enables the climber to practice various holds on the board. Different pockets and holds also enable the climber to work on building strength in the shoulders, arms and fingers. A climbing training board typically ranges in size from 2 to 3 feet wide and from 5 to 10 feet high. Although there are a number of training boards commercially available, climbers can use the following steps to build a training board in their home.

Things You'll Need

  • 2 x 4 studs
  • 5/8 to 3/4 inch plywood
  • Drill
  • 7/16 inch drill bit
  • Hammer
  • T-nuts
  • #8 Robert's head screws
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Instructions

  1. Selecting a Location

    • 1

      Select a location for your climbing training board. The training board should be anchored securely in the chosen location and should not interfere with regular household functions. Garages and lofts are common locations for securing a training board.

    • 2

      Select a height for your training board. A top height of 8 feet to 10 feet is ideal.

    • 3

      Determine the width of the training board. A minimum of 2 feet is necessary but a wider board may be necessary based on the distance between studs in the wall.

    • 4

      Decide on an angle for the training board. Angles between 15 degrees and 20 degrees provide excellent training opportunities.

    Building the Climbing Training Board

    • 5

      Build the frame by using 2 x 4 studs. Use 3-inch spikes or screws to secure the framing. The ceiling header should be built at the angle you chose for your training board.

    • 6

      Use 5/8 to 3/4 inch plywood cut to match the frame dimensions to create the face of the training board. Drill 7/16 inch holes at regular intervals throughout the plywood.

    • 7

      Hammer the t-nuts into the backside of the holes in the plywood.

    • 8

      Use 2-inch, # 8 Robert's head screws to screw the plywood to the frame every 5 inches.

    • 9

      Install the climbing training board to the chosen wall. Anchor the training board to the wall studs and ceiling joists securely.

    • 10

      Place holds as desired on the training wall. Use the pre-drilled holes in the plywood and secure the hold to the t-nuts.