For 6 month membership for £25 contact markmcgowan01@gmail.com
Sunday, 24 November 2013
Friday, 15 November 2013
Training Strategies at ReAch...
The ReAch Dual Factor Training Programme works along the principle of developing your power first and the maintaining of it second. So instead of performing a high volume of training at a low intensity you perform a low volume of training at a high intensity.This means a much more productive return from your training because you can't perform high intensity exercise as often as low intensity exercise. This will free up valuable days of your week.
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Contact markmcgowan01@gmail.com for your own online programme.
Tuesday, 12 November 2013
Recruiting for December Team for ReAch Dual Factor Online Program...
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| 'Chillin the fook out' or freezing! The top pitch of Strand E2 5b, Gogarth. |
If your looking to get fit for a January rock trip or longer term plan for spring trad, then the beginning of December is sensible time to act by joining our December Team...
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| Siurana, Espana |
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| Right Wall, E5 6a, The Cromlech, North Wales UK |
We are offering a 6 week Online Dual Factor Program for £100 starting December or a 3 month Program starting January for a spring peak for £200. Please contact markmcgowan01@gmail.com for details.
Llanberis Accommodation for Climbers, Surfers and other humans...
Saturday, 2 November 2013
Dr Bott...
I've been lucky enough to be coaching and training with the Doc. I don't coach many people these days on a 1 to 1 but I have always made friends with those I do. The Doc is inspirational in her pursuit to get rock climbing fit for Mexico at end of the year. A Phd and all round cool dude and new friend, it has been great working with the Doc and a big thank you from me for helping me with my own research and Phd application. Fingers crossed Doc!
He tenido la suerte de estar coaching y entrenamiento con el doctor. Yo no entreno muchas personas en estos días en un 1 a 1, pero siempre me he hecho amigos con los que hago. El doctor es inspirador en su búsqueda de conseguir escalada en fuerte para un viaje de roca de México a finales de año. Una Phd y nuevo amigo, ha sido genial trabajar con el doctor y un gran agradecimiento de mi parte por ayudarme con mi propia investigación y aplicación Phd. Dedos cruzados doctor!
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| The Doc and my surfing landlady! |
Friday, 18 October 2013
ReAch Training and Online Documents - 6 Month Membership
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| Malcolm Simth on the crux of Blood Diamond (8c+), Anvil |
Please contact markmcgowan01@gmail.com to arrange access to our online training documents.

Owen on working maximal finger strength at the Beacon in North Wales.
| Owen on working maximal finger strength at the Beacon in North Wales. |
| Bouldering in Pyrenees. |
Sunday, 6 October 2013
Exceptionally empty Headed!
Finding inspiration in climbing for me, has always been about finding the truth in what I am doing and why. The motivation is driven by that single belief that something exceptional can happen and working out what part one needs to play to be part of it. Being open to others and taking inspiration from them to keep you going or closing a little and training alone without interruption from others, can work simultaneously and so I suppose for me, knowing when to do what feels right is the key.
Training obviously needs structure, but the motivation to train hard for sustained periods comes from the mind. Learning more about the interruptions from the mind explained more to me about my erratic performance on rock. Learning to approach climbing with as much focus on being relaxed and as little about performance whilst concise with action in the moment on the climb, is something I have been trying to embed in my psyche for over a year now... A kind of empty headed approach with just one thought of 'UP'!
| Bouldering in the Pyrenees (Photo: Ruth Jenkins) |
I think that coaching and transferring a 'real' motivation to others is directly linked with finding honesty in the situation and dealing with it openly to build trust for tougher times, as often needed when trying to do something exceptional. Believing that something exceptional can happen is perhaps the difference that hold things together when the apparent blockages seem un-achievable otherwise, the apparently un-achievable is just allowed to sadly become unbelievable...
Exception: "An action that is not part of ordinary operations or standards."
Training from 6a to 8a in 180 days: workshop
| Working Reinne De Sabart (8b), Ariege, France |
6a to 8a in 180 days Workshop
"I've had the pleasure of meeting some coaches in the last few months. Thanks to their interest on trying our training methods and fingerboards, we have started to share information and cooperate in a way that undoubtedly will make all of us progress both as climbers and trainers:-Carlos Cabrera (Sweden): Coach of Geir Söderin, Matilda Söderlund, Daniel Andersson, Robert Rundin (Sweden National
Climbing Team) and Said Belhaj.
-David Mason (Sheffield, UK): Boulderer (8B Fb) and Assistant British Team Coach.
-Juan Martín Miranda , "Marvin" (Argentina): Personal Climbing Coach and Argentine Team Coach.
-Mark McGowan (Glasgow, UK): Climber, currently working as Personal Climbing Coach at Barcelona, Spain.
Thank everyone, It's a great honour to share experiences with you!” (Eva Lopez)"
Thursday, 3 October 2013
Jo Lucas ... 6c to 7c
| Jo sending Silk Teddies (7c) |
I began coaching Jo in August 2011 at Ratho in Edinburgh, then a board session, then onto the full program for two long seasons. We have climbed and trained together in the UK, Spain and the French Pyrenees and it was great to hear of her recent news of red pointing two 7c's within a few weeks of each other. Although her previous career was modelling in Tokyo, her ability to train daily and change her body for climbing has been mind blowing.
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| Jo working an 8a in French Pyrenees |
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| Alex |
| Jo and Amanda at Dunkeld, Scotland |
... 8a next year? No PRESSURE!...
To join up with ReAch Online Dual Factor Program then please contact markmcgowan01@gmail.com for information. English and Spanish Programs available...
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Joanne Lucas
Saturday, 21 September 2013
Recruiting for ReAch Online Dual Factor Program beginning October
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| Mark McGowan on FA on Gozo Island |
If you climb between 6a and 7c outdoors and looking to train harder for better results in your sport climbing the get in touch.
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| Youth Coaching in Siurana, Spain |
Estamos reclutando 5 nuevos clientes para nuestro Equipo de octubre para nuestro programa de Factor dual de en línea 6 semanas (de habla Inglés o español). Por favor, póngase en contacto con markmcgowan01@gmail.com para concertar obtener más información. El costo del programa es de £ 100 o € 100 por pagar a través de PayPal
Si escalando al aire libre entre 6a y 7c y buscan entrenar más duro para obtener mejores resultados en tu deporte de escalada y luego ponerse en contacto.
Saturday, 31 August 2013
New Indy Climbing Wall now open today... Where Barcelona meets North Wales!
From this...
To this...
The guys and girls at the Indy have managed a great turnaround with their transformation of their climbing center on Anglesey in North Wales with a new and very steep Power Endurance lead wall that reminded me of a training facility just outside Barcelona that I visited (a very contemporary design!)
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| The new Power Endurance Wall |
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| Rob setting on the new PE wall |
It was great to be involved in both the wall manufacturing (supplied from Beacon Climbing Walls) and finally route setting with the Indy Team.
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| Emma setting the Circuits Board |
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| A Stella Job! |
Labels:
Indy Climbing Wall,
Route setting
Friday, 30 August 2013
Route Setting in the UK
| The New Indy Wall in North Wales |
Mark McGowan is available for route setting in the UK
Route setting Experience:
- Ratho International Climbing Centre for Bouldering competitions and Scottish Youth Series
- Inverness Climbing Centre for Scottish Youth Series
- The Beacon Climbing Centre for lead routes and Welsh Youth Series
- The Indy Climbing Wall for lead routes
Rate is £12 per hour plus agreed travel costs
Based in North Wales
Contact markmcgowan01@gmail.com Sunday, 28 July 2013
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Referrals from clients:
"...This training season I decided to get all the help I can to speed up my improvement. I needed guidance to work towards my goals in long term. I also needed more vision and opinions about my exercises and weak links. I am glad I can share my training with Mark..." (Ville Mustonen, Finland)
" I met Mark in Glen Nevis on his return to climbing to check out some lines he had in mind for me, I wasn't really training at this point but after a day or two talking and training with him I had a much more structured idea of what to do to improve and I did" (Kev Shields)
































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