Climbing Holds To Master if You’re Doing a Tough Mudder

If you’re taking on a Tough Mudder, you’re in for muddy pits, gut-busting teamwork, and, yes, some grip strength challenges you’ll never forget. Many of the obstacles require upper body strength, balance, and—most importantly—rock-solid grip skills.

Whether you’re tackling the Augustus Gloop or scaling your way through the Berlin Wall, training on climbing holds is a game-changer. Learn the best climbing holds to master if you’re doing a Tough Mudder and give yourself that competitive edge.

Climbing Holds and Tough Mudder Success

Tough Mudder is one of the most notorious obstacle courses that pushes you to your physical limits. The obstacles encountered in this event require physical endurance, mental fortitude, and grip.

Grip strength is king in obstacle racing, and climbing holds are the ultimate training tool for mastering it. Whether hanging mid-air during Funky Monkey or holding on for dear life on a slick, angled wall—your grip is everything.

Obstacle course events often simulate rock climbing dynamics, testing everything from your finger strength to your ability to maneuver under pressure. Train on climbing holds to develop the grip endurance, finger precision, and coordination needed to pull yourself up and over without skipping a beat.

Types of Climbing Holds Every Tough Mudder Should Know

Climbing holds break down into several categories, and each type serves a purpose in your training. From small crimps that test your finger strength to jugs that help you recover mid-session, working on a variety of holds builds a versatile grip.

This variety allows you to adapt to different obstacles, environments, and angles thrown your way during Tough Mudder. Master these holds before the race to gain that special sauce for crushing the course.

Crimps

Crimps are small edges that demand a fingertip grip, making them perfect for precision and building finger strength. Obstacles like The Gauntlet often involve narrow grips where your fingers do all the heavy lifting. Practice holding small ledges on climbing walls or use fingerboards for added resistance.

Start slow—crimping is tough on unconditioned fingers. Use all four fingers for maximum efficiency and gradually practice on smaller crimps. Consistency here will improve your precision and your ability to dig deep during technical holds.

Jugs

Jugs are the friendly giants of climbing holds—large, easy-to-grip surfaces that feel like a safety net for your hands. These are perfect for building endurance and giving yourself a quick recovery while hanging on. Use them during training for pull-ups and grip switches without taxing your fingers too much.

Climbing hold jugs come in different sizes, shapes, and dimensions, so you’ll need to experiment with different options during your training to find the option that works with your hands. You may benefit from variations like rock climbing roof jugs that improve your skills on steep climbs. Learning how to use jugs efficiently will help you recover during longer obstacles, like Mudderhorn, where you’ll need every ounce of energy to keep moving.

Slopers

Slopers are rounded holds that lack edges, requiring you to rely on friction and open-hand grip strength. These holds help prepare you for slippery obstacles like Block Ness Monster, where balancing your weight and keeping contact is critical.

To master slopers, focus on keeping even pressure with your palms and fingers while engaging your core—this will help you stay “stuck” when it matters most. Training on slopers also improves your ability to handle less secure surfaces during events.

Pinches

Pinches involve grabbing holds between your fingers and thumb, providing an all-around grip that’s essential for versatility. Obstacles like Funky Monkey often have horizontal or round bars, mimicking the pinch grip. Since these are greased bars, your ability to maintain a grip with numerous muscles in your hand and fingers will make or break your progress in the race.

As you train, use pinching blocks or thicker grips to challenge your hand muscles. Over time, this exercise builds the finger and thumb synergy you’ll need to tackle demanding grips on Tough Mudder obstacles.

Pockets

Pockets are holds that only allow one to three fingers to fit. These will help prepare you for small grip surfaces like narrow ledges or handles, often encountered in obstacles like the Cage Crawl. A key tip for pocket holds is avoiding overloading your fingers—rotate between different combinations when training to prevent strain or injury.

Working with pockets teaches finger placement and control, which are key for navigating technical sections of the course with confidence. These holds will be an integral part of training for the Cage Crawl and require quick finger placement to avoid slipping and falling.

Underclings

Underclings require you to pull upward from below the hold, forcing you to engage grip and biceps. These are excellent for mastering challenging angles, especially during obstacles that require upward pulling motions.

Practice underclings on climbing walls and focus on maintaining body tension to prevent slipping. Mastering underclings makes climbing slanted walls and angled structures during the race feel like second nature. If you feel intimidated by obstacles like the Pyramid Scheme that requires you to pull yourself up with the help of a teammate, this hold is just for you.

Sidepulls

Sidepulls use holds that require pulling laterally instead of vertically, improving your ability to maneuver sideways on angled obstacles. You’ll often encounter situations requiring sidepull techniques during rope climbing obstacles like Mudderhorn.

Practice body positioning drills by shifting your weight and using sidepulls on your climbing wall. Stay tight to the wall with activated core muscles—it’ll make lateral movement smoother and more controlled.

Dynamic Holds

Dynamic holds are about movement between holds, such as jumping, swinging, or lunging to the next grip. Expect many obstacles that require dynamic movement in Tough Mudder.

Obstacles like Well Swung require you to hold a strong grip as you swing from one handle to the next. Other challenges like Everest push you to make powerful leaps and moves to reach the top of a slick slope. Dynamic training improves explosive power and coordination to help you clear obstacles in a single bound.

Set up campus boards or practice dyno moves to boost your explosive strength and develop the timing needed to leap between holds. Add volume to your wall for advanced training that pushes you to reach for distant holds and climb at different angles. It’s a fun way to build energy for obstacles that require big moves!

Building Grip Strength for Long-Haul Endurance

Training with climbing holds builds grip strength but don’t overlook tools like hangboards, grip trainers, and resistance bands to complement your routine. Pair these with full-body conditioning such as pull-ups, dead hangs, and core exercises for maximum Tough Mudder endurance. Grip strength doesn’t just win obstacles; it powers you through the finish line.

Incorporating Technique Into Tough Mudder Training

Integrate climbing hold practice into your Tough Mudder prep by mimicking obstacle scenarios. Mix climbing drills with race-specific activities like rope climbs, monkey bars, or wall scaling to simulate event conditions. This combination improves your adaptability and ensures you’re mentally prepared when the race day adrenaline kicks in.

Tough Mudder isn’t just about stamina—it’s about skill, grit, and strategy. By mastering climbing holds for Tough Mudder, you’ll gain unmatched grip strength and versatility to tackle even the toughest challenges. Gear up, train hard, and get ready to dominate the course with victory in your practiced grasp.