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Installing a Hangboard. A good, compact training aid for climbers.

by F1X0R on August 25, 2008 Table of Contents Installing a Hangboard. A good, compact training aid for climbers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Intro: Installing a Hangboard. A good, compact training aid for climbers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 1: Location, Location, Location. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 2: Chooosing a hangboard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 3: Know your building! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 4: Lets put this thing up. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Advertisements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 5

http://www.instructables.com/id/Installing-a-Hangboard-A-good-compact-training-a/

Intro: Installing a Hangboard. A good, compact training aid for climbers.

When I first got the hangboard, I thought that I would make a single instructable for both the installation and use of a hangboard. How ever I have decided against doing that, because it would be a very big instructable. Also I thought that for showing you how to train on one, I would make videos, and I can't really do that here, because whilst I wanted to take pictures of the process as it went a long, Dad put it up for me while I was out! OK that and it gives me time to practice with it so I don't look like a complete wimp!

Image Notes 1. Two fingers, hard work.

Image Notes 1. A medium sized hangboard, made from Resin. I brought this one, because it offered a good amount of holds and was at a really good price.

Step 1: Location, Location, Location.

You must choose where you are going to locate your hangboard. Above a door is very easy, although there are other possibilities if you can get at joists or exposed beams. I opted to put it above a door. Where abouts in your house should you put it? Well if you think about it, you want to put it somewhere where you can just use it in passing, so it should be somewhere you go a lot. Also you don't want to put it somewhere that is cold, poorly lit or out of the way. That may rule out basements and such. I put mine in my room, above the door as you enter. Because I can just use it for a few minutes each time I walk by it. Also I tend to have my music going, it is warm and well lit in my room. You should aim to do a 10 minute session each time you use it, which should include recovery periods, but I'll go into that in a later instructable.

Image Notes 1. I choose to site the board here, in my room, where it is well lit, warm and has the well funky music!

Image Notes 1. Do you like my no smoking sign? 2. Just hanging.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Installing-a-Hangboard-A-good-compact-training-a/

Step 2: Chooosing a hangboard.

Just as important is choosing the right location for your hangboard. It is worth noting that there are a number of different options. I shall run through them here. Materials You will find that hangboards are made from two main different materials. Wood and Resin. They tend both to be made by Using the CNC process. Resin ones would otherwise require large and expensive mold. Resin Holds are made from the same material that climbing holds (like the ones you see at a climbing gym) are made from. They tend to be rougher than wood and give better grip for your hands, but they also tend to be a bit harder on your hands than wooden hangboards for this reason. Wood - Provides less friction for your hands but is kinder to your hands, you get less callouses and such. The lower friction Provided can be both an advantage and a disadvantage. It is not really suitable for new climbers, but having less friction does mean that it allows the climber to train harder. Wooden hangboards will also cost you more. Size Often people are tempted to go with the largest hangboard that they can find. Whilst this may seem like a good idea because you have more holds, it is not really neccessary and whilst the manufacturers would like to peddle the most expensive ones they have there is very little that they can provide that a medium sized board can not. Remember your main objective is to increase contact (finger) and arm strength.

Image Notes 1. Heavier than you may expect. Weighing in at 5.22KG, that is over 11lbs! OK OK so technically that is the mass.

Step 3: Know your building!

You need to know what your wall is made of. I am assuming that you are using an interior wall like I am. There are two main building techniques in use for interior walls. In both cases we will be using a backing board which should be half or three quarters of an inch thick. Dry/Stud wall From what I have read this seems to be the popular method for interior walls in the USA. Although I would not take it for granted. typically it sounds quite hollow if you bang on it in various places A stud wall uses Timber supports (typically 2" X 4") in between the the supports you will find insulation, and then a plaster board is placed over the top, and the then a skim layer of plaster is put on to make it look like a real wall. With this type of wall it is very important that you support the backing board by screwing it into the Timber supports or members, ( 2" X 4" is very strong indeed.) You should use 3 inch screws. Remember this has to be load bearing! if you drill into rock wall and plaster it will soon come down and look really rather unsightly. To find the studs, I recommend you buy a stud detector. These can normally be brought for a nominal amount and often have other functions such as a voltage detector, which if you don't know your wiring I recommend you use. A metal detector may also be included in these devices, so that you don't drill into your plumbing. For the most part pipes and wires should not be routed above doors, but again don't take this for granted and get zapped. Breeze block from experience in all but the newer houses this tends to be the more popular material in the UK, but don't take it for granted, you'll have to find out yourself. Is a bit easier to work with, because you don't have to find the Timber supports, you can drill a pilot hole anywhere and put in a wall plug. It is very advisable to put in wall plugs with this kind of wall because your screw is more likely to come out of breeze block than it is wood as it has a tendency to crumble. it is also better to put it on a plywood backing, I will explain why later.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Installing-a-Hangboard-A-good-compact-training-a/

Image Notes 1. Breeze block. Picture is not mine, I found it on the web Image Notes 1. How stud walls are built. This is why you need to screw the plywood into the Stud supports! This is also not mine, I found this one on the web too!

Step 4: Lets put this thing up.

OK so everything I'm going to show you in this step is going to be in retrospect, because the hangboard was already up before I was able to take photos! The first thing to do is go and find a suitable piece of wood. It should be very easy to find 20mm plywood at any home improvement type store. Also buy some battoning, (very thin wood that is maybe 25mm by 15mm) we will use this to give the hangboard some extra support. I wouldn't bother with this if you are using a stud wall. How ever you may opt to. You shouldn't have to spend more than about 10GBP on this (around about 18USD) Now If you have a stud wall then you need to take one extra step, that is finding the studs, and screwing the backing board into those studs. Otherwise what I am about to say does apply exactly as if it were on breeze block. How ever you do not want to use wall plugs with this kind of wall. 1) Reinforce your door-frame, screw 3" screws into it, because what ever kind of wall you have, there is a wooden frame behind it, which helps to support the wall. 2) (don't drill pilot holes if you have a stud wall, just drive the screws through the plywood straight into the studs) Breeze block OK so what you want to do is put the plywood up so that it is resting on the door frame, now drill a pilot hole about an inch in from the top right hand corner, keep it there so that the hole in the wood and the wall stay aligned. Put a Wall plug over the end of a 3" screw and bang it into the wall with a hammer, and tighten up. repeat this process until you have put in 6 screws, 4 in each corner, and 2 in the middle along the top and bottom. All together now, all kinds of wall join in! 3) put the battoning underneath and drive screws straight in. We used 5 of them. 4) Now rest the hangboard on the battoning, and using the holes already in it, straight throw the ply and into the wall. All done.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Installing-a-Hangboard-A-good-compact-training-a/

Image Notes 1. 3" screw, to reinforce the door frame to the support behind it. 2. 3" Screw, reinforcing the door frame to the support behind it. 3. Backboard. screwed into the wall as described above. 4. The hangboard itself has 7 3" screws going through it the backing plywood sheet and into the wall, no wall plugs where used. NB Dad ended up using pine, because it was what we had lying around and when he tried to get some ply for me, he had to come out of the shop sharpish owing to a traffic warden! 5. Battoning, held in by 5 2.5 inch screws. This is to help support some of the load put on it.

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Comments
12 comments Add Comment

Jayefuu says:
Nice Ible. I need to put my Simulator back up.

May 19, 2012. 1:37 PM REPLY

80$man says:
Pump it Up! Staggered Pull-ups ftw!

Oct 9, 2011. 1:31 PM REPLY

One thing... make is easy to take down, the grips do become dusty, dirty, grimey, clogged with shalk... best to clean with a high pressure hose every three months or so, I used my dayly when I climbed seriously (pre-university). Another thing... STRETCH & WARM UP!... Pulling at tendon at the peak of your training cycle is terrible! Been there, three weeks with a swollen arm :( Strength to you and your training! How many pull-ups can you do by now?

Wintershot says:

May 3, 2012. 2:37 AM REPLY It is highly inadvisable to strench before any type of exercise. If you strench beforehand, you are drawing your muscles and tendons out to their limits, leaving very little movement for your exercise or workout. It can be quite harmful and might cause you an injury. On the other hand, you should always have a good strench after you have finished your exercise. Strenching when you are not exercising is also a great way to feel good and keep your body supple.

extsieg says:
Your next instructable could be on : How to make a bed ;) Looking for wall space now. Thanks

Mar 23, 2009. 11:52 PM REPLY

survivor569 says:

Sep 14, 2008. 12:51 PM REPLY nice instructable, well presented and easy to understand. i wish i would have had this when i was installing my fingerboard, which is homemade from wood i found im the garage.

hedgiehog says:
i have a similar one to that, just doesnt have the bottom two ledges. cool, these things can be hard to install, 1+

Aug 29, 2008. 8:48 AM REPLY

F1X0R says:
Actually I know the one you mean, and its name. I just didn't want to go mentioning brand names on the site.

Aug 29, 2008. 11:02 AM REPLY

DEFDOM DELTA says:

Cool Instructable! I would love to put one up once I get into a more permanent living quarters.

Aug 28, 2008. 4:10 PM REPLY

http://www.instructables.com/id/Installing-a-Hangboard-A-good-compact-training-a/

F1X0R says:
Thank you.

Aug 29, 2008. 4:57 AM REPLY

noahh says:
Where would one find a hangboard to buy?

Aug 28, 2008. 10:29 AM REPLY

F1X0R says:

Aug 28, 2008. 11:20 AM REPLY Good question. Firstly I recommend you have a look on-line. Try ebay or other on-line stores that stock climbing gear. I got mine from my local climbing gym though, got a bit of a discount on it. The cost varies quite a lot and it isn't practical to really to give an average price, though mine cost me 50GPB (you normally pay more for these in the UK though, as usual!) If you belong to a climbing gym that has a shop, ask them, they may have them. I recomend a medium size one, because Having used both a large on and a small one as well, you don't get a lot of variation with the small ones, and the large ones provide a lot of holds that you don't need but cost you more. If you need to know anything else, just leave a comment. Thanks.

noahh says:
Thanks!

Aug 28, 2008. 12:43 PM REPLY

http://www.instructables.com/id/Installing-a-Hangboard-A-good-compact-training-a/