Long-Duration Isometric Training Benefits The training intervention is called Long-Duration Isometrics (LDI), and it’s a proven method of shocking the muscles to overcome sticking points and long-held limits in strength. In this article, I present one such smart-training strategy that you can employ to target common physical constraints. If you want to climb harder and hopefully dodge the injury bullet, then you need to be smarter about the things you do in the name of climbing. Simply flogging your body with a higher volume of the same old thing-a surprisingly common training theme-is usually an ineffective approach (although it might be an effective strategy if you enjoy nagging overuse injuries). In terms of your maximum climbing-specific strength and endurance, the key to breaking new ground is tricking your body with a new exercise and novel regimen that imparts a training stimulus the body is not accustomed to. Overcoming a strength plateau and achieving a physical breakthrough that pays off on the rock is difficult and, if you don’t train smart, it may elude you. If you engage in serious training for climbing, I’m sure you’ve discovered that significant strength gains are harder and harder to come by as you advance in grade. Learn six effective isometric training exercises for climbers.