Vertical-Life
Christian Bindhammer
Christian doing Action Directe, 9a
Christian Bindhammer has, during the last ten years, reached at least one World Cup final (Top-8) and climbed a minimum of one 8c every year. Christian is #7 in the 8a all time high ranking. In 2005, he was #5 in Zürich and #6 in Kranj, made two 9a's, married Melaine and had a son (Lucas). In other words, life is looking good for Christian and he is very motivated to continue his progress in 2006. Here's some info on his training.
Have you changed your training over the years? Are there any secrets?
When I started to train regularly for climbing, the main problem was to find a place to climb or how to build a small training wall somewhere that would help to improve your strength. Training wasn't at all as systematic as it is today. It is so different these days when you can find good indoor training gyms in almost any country. Because of this, climbing performances increase faster than before and you need to train very specifically for your aims. But I see a lot of very physically strong climber without aims. To be in a top ranking or to climb the hardest routes, you need to be fully concentrated and train right. To say that these is only one way to train would be impossible. Training is individual for each climber. A good Coach or the Climber him/herself has to analyse his/hers weakness that needs to be improved in order to achieve ones climbing aims. That's how I have handled it and I think that is why I have achieved to stay a top level climber for more than 10 years.
The most important thing is to always stay motivated and to follow your personal aims. In addition to that, I always try to work on my weaknesses. A common mistake among climbers is that they tend to concentrate on climbing what they are best at. I am for the opposite and I believe that you have to train what you are worst at to become a more 'complete climber'. This is especially true if you want to achieve in competitions since these include all types of climbing.
Could you give some details on how you prepare for the next WC season?
First of all, I think it is important that you are motivated to compete before planning the for the season. 9 or 10 World cups with Masters and also National competitions can be a lot and you have to decide which comps you want to participate in. Personally, I need periods of outdoor Rock-climbing in between comp-blocks, because climbing on rock is as important to me as competitions. It is what keeps me motivated to perform within my sport.
What is your best advice to youngsters struggling to do their first 8a?
Take a brake, don't try the route too often. Otherwise you'll get a 'headcrash'. It is better then to train specifically for the route and come back if and when you feel stronger. This is what I did when for some of my hardest sends. You have to feel that you are ready to do the route, that's the key to success.
How have you financed your climbing over the years?
Since a few years back I have a very good sponsor deal with EDELRID. In addition, I do some work with MADROCK, the new powerful Climbing Shoe manufacturer, and together with Andreas, my brother, I run Business called 'Master Range'. In 1999 we started selling climbing holds and for about 3 ½ years now we run the German distribution of 'SintROC' Climbing Walls. It's a great experience and also possibility to use all my 'climbing know how' for designing new walls and projects.
What's your next project and goal?
For this year, I will concentrate on the World Cup Season. I will also try to find time to send two classic and long projects in France and Italy and climb a few multiple pitches in the 'Rätikon'.
Which are the best crags/routes you have ever climbed?
There are so many good crags and routes all over the world, so that's a difficult question. For me, there are always different reasons to why a crag or a route is impressive: Climbing history, landscape, local people etc., they all count. Usually though, I prefer to climb in France and especially around Nice. But the best route I've climbed is probably 'Action Directe' and I would very much like to climb 'Just do it' at Smith Rocks because it's such a great line in an amazing setting.
Will climbing be a part of your life in ten years?
I'm a 100% Climber and although life will change as the years go by, climbing will always be a big part of my life.