Embarking on your first hangboard purchase? You've come to the right place! As essential training tools for climbers, hangboards help build the crucial grip and finger strength that can boost your climbing abilities. However, navigating through the sea of hangboards available in the market, especially for first-time buyers, can feel like an uphill battle. With various designs, grip types, materials, and levels of difficulty, it can be a real challenge to determine the best fit for your specific needs and experience level.
That's why we're here to help. We've put in the hours researching, testing, and evaluating to bring you a well-rounded review of the top 5 hangboards available in 2024. Whether you're a budding climber, fresh on the scene and looking for the ideal beginner-friendly board, or a more seasoned beginner preparing to take your training to the next level, our guide will help you navigate your choices. We've taken into account the factors that matter most to first-time buyers: user-friendliness, safety features, durability, and of course, cost-effectiveness. Let's dive in and find that perfect first hangboard to kickstart your climbing journey.
THE HANGBOARD | |||||
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Price | $84.99 | $120 | $99.95 |
$159.95
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$162.75 |
Rating | 93 | 84 | 72 | 85 | 91 |
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Material | Wood | Wood | Polyester Resin | Polyurethane | Wood |
Difficulty Level | Beginner - Pro | Beginner - Advanced | Beginner - Advanced | Intermediate - Pro | Intermediate - Pro |
Dimensions | 22" x 5.75" x 2.1" | 58cm Width (X), 15cm Height (Y) 5.8cm depth (Z) | 28.0" x 8.7" x 4.5" | 9.1" x 12.2" x 4.5" per side | 23" × 7" × 3" |
The Hangboard
Material: Wood | Dimensions: 22" x 5.75" x 2.1"
The Hangboard emerges as the overall winner in our selection, seamlessly blending quality and affordability. With a compact and symmetric layout, it caters to climbers across all skill levels, offering satisfying edge progression and more features than similar options in the market. Notably, it's available at a price that's almost half of what you'd expect to pay for comparable alternatives, making it an even more appealing choice for climbers on a budget.
Pros:
- Comfortable design for prolonged training
- Symmetric layout for balanced and varied grip positions
- Best edge progression, from beginner to pro
- Labeled depths for precise training
- Includes a template for easy mounting
- Attractively priced under $90
- Compact size to fit various spaces
- Jug and Sloper included for versatile training
Cons:
- Minimalistic
- Only one sloper angle
Verdict: The Hangboard is a strong and sensible choice for those seeking quality at an approachable price point. Its well-thought-out design and additional features make it stand out among similar options, providing a wide range of training possibilities without breaking the bank. Its comfortable, symmetric design and the inclusion of features like a Jug and Sloper further enhance its appeal, making it a top pick for many climbers.
Tension Climbing Grindstone
Material: Wood | Dimensions: 23" x 7" x 3"
The Tension Climbing Grindstone is well-regarded for its comfortable holds and progressive difficulty. The edges are designed to provide comfort for various training needs, including pocket climbing. With an asymmetric layout and labeled edge sizes, it offers a broad training range.
Pros:
- Comfiest holds in the test
- Progressive difficulty of edges
- Labeled edge sizes
- Asymmetric layout
Cons:
- No holds over 30mm
- No pinches or slopers
Verdict: A top choice for modern hangboarding, the Grindstone is perfect for those seeking comfort and versatility. However, its limitations on hold size and lack of pinches or slopers may deter some climbers.
Trango Rock Prodigy Training Center
Material: Polyurethane | Dimensions: 12.1" x 9.1" x 3.5" per piece; 2 pieces
The Trango Rock Prodigy Training Center offers a remarkable array of hold varieties, including unique horizontal pinches. It's designed to engage different grip positions, allowing for detailed and varied training.
Pros:
- Most hold variety in the lineup
- Horizontal pinches
- Easy on the skin for plastic
- Progression of difficulty on variable edge
Cons:
- Non-standard edge sizes
- Challenging to mount
Verdict: Those seeking diverse training options will find the Trango Rock Prodigy to be a top-tier selection. Its unique design offers endless progression possibilities. However, non-standard edge sizes and mounting difficulties might be a drawback for some users.
Beastmaker 1000
Material: Wood | Dimensions: 23" x 6" x 2.25"
Compact and efficient, the Beastmaker 1000 is known for its excellent edge comfort and hold variety. Designed to fit into small spaces, it provides an effective solution for warming up and hard training.
Pros:
- Holds for warming up
- Fits in small spaces
- Excellent edge comfort
- 20mm edge
Cons:
- Center holds are uncomfortably close
- Large gap between hold sizes
Verdict: The Beastmaker 1000 offers an impressive range of holds and comfort for its compact size. While the edge progression and hold spacing might not suit all users, its classic design and efficient use of space make it a solid choice for many climbers.
Metolius Simulator Training Board 3D
Material: Polyester Resin | Dimensions: 28.0" x 8.7" x 4.5"
The Simulator 3D sets itself apart with a massive variety of holds arranged along a broad arc, tapering outward and downward for better ergonomics. Skin-friendly with a fine-grained texture, it offers mounting hardware and comprehensive instructions to suit almost all climbers.
Pros:
- Ergonomic design reduces the risk of injuries
- Large variety of holds, sizes, and depths
- Beginner-friendly with included training guide
Cons:
- Rough on fingers may deter some users
- Takes up a lot of space, potentially problematic for small areas
Verdict: A top pick for climbers ranging from beginners to advanced, The Simulator 3D emphasizes ergonomics and variety. Though it might be rough on the fingers and require significant wall space, its quality, and inclusivity make it an attractive option for various training needs.
How to Install Your Hangboard!
After selecting your hangboard as your ideal climbing training tool, you may be wondering about the installation process. Properly hanging your hangboard is crucial for safety and performance. To guide you through this essential step, we've prepared a comprehensive tutorial that's beginner-friendly and includes expert tips. Whether you're mounting it in your garage or a dedicated training space, our step-by-step guide will ensure a secure and effective setup. Check out our detailed article on how to hang your hangboard for complete instructions. By following our expert guide, you'll be ready to begin your climbing training with confidence and precision.
Portable Hangboards
In our comprehensive guide of the top 5 hangboards, we've meticulously analyzed and tested a variety of models to help you enhance your climbing strength from the comfort of your home. But for those climbers constantly on the move or seeking a more flexible training option, don't miss our dedicated review on the top 5 portable hangboards. Whether you're traveling, have limited space, or simply prefer a more mobile setup, our portable hangboard review offers in-depth insights and comparisons to help you maintain your training regime no matter where you are.
Hangboard Workout Guide
Now that you've picked out a hangboard, the next step is finding the perfect workout to follow. Whether you're a novice looking to build foundational strength or a seasoned climber aiming to reach new heights, having a tailored hangboard routine is essential. Our exclusive workout guide accommodates climbers of all levels, offering comprehensive training that can be applied to any hangboard you've chosen. From beginner-friendly exercises to pro-level challenges, this guide has something for everyone. Ready to take on your hangboard training journey? Explore the full workout, complete with step-by-step instructions, tips, and videos, in our comprehensive guide on our blog: The Ultimate Hangboard Workout Guide. Your climb to excellence starts here!