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Isometric hangs on ice tools

Original Post
Gabe Cisneros · · Baltimore, md · Joined Feb 2016 · Points: 15

I do not have ice tools. 

If you had to train using wooden dowels...

Would you use a dowel that is roughly the same circumference as an ice tool or would you use something bigger? Is there a benefit to one way or another?

Bare wood or athletic tape for a grip?

Any other DIY ideas that could be done for under $50?

Not looking to buy the wooden Dry Ice tools....maybe in the future. 

Jack C · · Tennessee · Joined Mar 2013 · Points: 325
Gabe Cisneros wrote:

I do not have ice tools. 

If you had to train using wooden dowels...

Would you use a dowel that is roughly the same circumference as an ice tool or would you use something bigger? Is there a benefit to one way or another?

Bare wood or athletic tape for a grip?

Any other DIY ideas that could be done for under $50?

Not looking to buy the wooden Dry Ice tools....maybe in the future. 

I've used bare wood, athletic tape, and (skateboard) grip tape.  The grip tape is nice because then it's much easier to do one-handed but the only ones I've kept are my bigger wooden ones.  I noticed with using smaller dowels they are considerably less comfortable, so while less sport-specific, bigger might be better.  I think the sweet spot is 2" diameter.

divnamite · · New York, NY · Joined Aug 2007 · Points: 90

If you are just gonna hang off a piece of round pipe, then 2" pvc is the easiest approach. Buy a small length at Home Depot, cut into two, drill holes at end of each piece and put a 7mm cord on them. Instant ice tool hang.

Gabe Cisneros · · Baltimore, md · Joined Feb 2016 · Points: 15

I like both ideas. The local ReStore had 30" of pine handrail and some eye lag bolts, so wood was the winner. Grand total of $1.75 plus gas

Ryan Hamilton · · Orem · Joined Aug 2011 · Points: 5

I have some big ice climbing goals this year so I'm working hard on this very thing. Because I really want to do well this year I invested in a spare set of x-dream handles. I've set up a workout that includes offset pull-ups and dead hangs as well as parallel dead hangs both locked off at top and 90 degree.  After 4 weeks the time per hang has increased and the number of sets I'm able to do has increased. My plan is to keep this up until early January, which should yield some good results. 

I've noticed that when climbing steep bullet or brittle ice my arms and shoulders start to get fatigued from swinging multiple times to get a good stick so I've hooked the same handles onto the cable machine at the gym and practice swings with a low weight so that I get 14-22 swings per arm per set and do 12 sets or so. My strength (not that you need much) and endurance (much more helpful) have increased a lot. 

Gunkiemike · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2009 · Points: 3,687
Ryan Hamilton wrote:

I have some big ice climbing goals this year so I'm working hard on this very thing. Because I really want to do well this year I invested in a spare set of x-dream handles. 

That's a great idea. I have a pair of new X-All Mountain handles that I don't need.  Anybody want to buy them? Cheap.

climbing coastie · · Wasilla, AK · Joined Feb 2011 · Points: 95

Just courious, but if you don't own ice tools why are you looking to train? 

Most average climbers can jump on easier routes without much issue, and without owning a set of tools I wouldn't guess you're going to jump on WI5s. 

If you over grip no amount of training will prevent the barfies or the pump from setting in. I'd call myself a pretty avid ice climber and never considered training until I was leading 4's. 

Gabe Cisneros · · Baltimore, md · Joined Feb 2016 · Points: 15
climbing coastie wrote:

Just courious, but if you don't own ice tools why are you looking to train? 

Most average climbers can jump on easier routes without much issue, and without owning a set of tools I wouldn't guess you're going to jump on WI5s. 

If you over grip no amount of training will prevent the barfies or the pump from setting in. I'd call myself a pretty avid ice climber and never considered training until I was leading 4's. 

A very good point!

 At the time, I had no idea what to expect. So I was trying to to be prepared. I mean, how many people have been told, “you’ll be fine, not that hard.”? I never really used the handles with any consistency. And, now that I have gotten on some not-so-steep ice, I realize how silly it was to try to train for it.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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