Research

Mixed

Five weeks of campus board training improves climbing-specific performance, but optimal frequency depends on the specific outcome: two sessions per week maximize bouldering performance, while four sessions per week maximize rate of force development (RFD).

If you are an advanced climber using a campus board, split your weekly volume into 4 shorter sessions to boost explosive power (RFD). If your goal is bouldering performance specifically, 2 sessions per week may be sufficient and potentially more effective for that specific outcome, provided you maintain maximal intensity.

ModerateQualifiesMEDIUM confidence
Sessions should be divided over four days to improve RFD or divided over two days to improve bouldering performance, compared to regular climbing training.
Nicolay Stien et al. · Journal of Sports Science and Medicine · 2021

Why this rating

Small sample size (n=16) and short duration (5 weeks), but randomized controlled design.

Source

Effects of Two vs. Four Weekly Campus Board Training Sessions on Bouldering Performance and Climbing-Specific Tests in Advanced and Elite Climbers

Nicolay Stien et al. · Journal of Sports Science and Medicine · 2021

DOI 10.52082/jssm.2021.438

rct · n=16Cited 15×
Read the paper
DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

This is one finding among thousands. Every one is graded and traced to its source, so you can see what the evidence actually supports. Browse the research →