Free climbing has allowed Great Britain’s Adrian Baxter to see the world and climb some of the toughest tests ever known. Having made over 25 International appearances for the British Climbing team, he has developed a wealth of experience and understands the fundamental role of sports nutrition in his diet, training and performance.

Aid Baxter - Q&A

Tell us about yourself and the sport you compete in..

I’m 26 years old and currently live in London. I have been rock climbing since 1997 and competing for Great Britain since 2000.

Rock climbing is such an amazing sport – it never ever ceases to inspire, scare and frustrate me! It’s a very demanding sport to practice whether you are competing indoors, climbing on rock or ice outside - there are just so many ever changing variables to take into account.

Firstly, every route you climb is completely different as every rock type is different. Secondly, you are taxed physically in so many ways – it’s not enough just to be strong – you need to be flexible, have incredible contact strength, good balance and precise footwork. Then there’s the mental challenge - reading and working out your route up a cliff face as you climb while controlling the fear of the very real danger of falling. Then there’s the weather – a slight change in humidity could mean you can either hold a handhold or have no chance at all.

It is the fact that all of these factors constantly change and that you have to adapt to them quickly that makes climbing so challenging and also so addictive!

How did you become involved in your sport?

Rather unusually I was forced to climb for the first time one afternoon at school as an end of year activity. I really resisted going thinking of climbing as a sport for lycra-clad recluses. I was very wrong - I was actually totally blown away by both the technical, physical and mental challenge of climbing. I had never experienced a sport as testing and addictive as it and with such a strong social network!

One week after my first time climbing experience I had bought shoes, a harness and a chalk bag and since then I have not had more than six consistent weeks off climbing!

I was lucky to meet the right people early in my climbing career and to start training and climbing at the best areas outside – so my learning curve was steep and I picked up good habits early despite starting the sport relatively late.

What does your weekly training programme consist of?

Climbing is such a technical sport that nearly all of my training is very climbing specific. I would also change what I am training according to what training phase I am going through and if I am in my competitive season or not.

Strength to weight ratio is possibly the most important factor in climbing so all of my training would be aimed towards not putting on any excess weight – whether that be fat or muscle!

When I am in full flow with my training – I would train up to twice a day about 5 times a week. About 80% of that would be actually climbing – doing interval training, timing my rest and recovery periods.

I would also work on my explosive power and finger contact strength using a plyometric training system called campus boarding.

I would also do a lot of work on my core strength – so that I can keep my feet on steep overhanging wall climbs.

My own flexibility is my nemesis so I am now trying really hard to work on that too by stretching at least once a day!

Which Maximuscle products do you use?

I use maintenance products like Protrient, Immune Support and Ache Free on a daily basis – they are all vital supplements that any athlete should use for general health and to maintain strong joints and connective tissues.

I choose to use other Maximuscle products depending on what training phase I am going through and whether I am in competition season or not.

For periods of heavy training I will always use Viper Extreme prior to a training session and Recovermax during or at the end of a session to make sure that I recover sufficiently.

Immediately after my session I will either take a scoop of Promax powder or a Promax Meal Bar if I haven’t got a shaker with me just so that I get the protein I need to prevent any muscle breakdown.

I use other supplements on more of an ad hoc basis - like Promax Diet for slimming down prior to competitions or specific routes that I need to weigh a little less for – strength to weight ratio is everything!

How do Maximuscle products help you during your training and whilst you compete?

Ache Free keeps my joints and connective tissues strong throughout my climbing year – I put so much weight through my fingers at times that it is vital for me to supplement my diet with something that will help me.

As for the rest of the Maximuscle’s products - It’s quite simple really... Maximuscle products just help you to recover quicker. And if you can recover quicker you can train more often. And if you can train more often... well the rest is obvious – you just get fitter or stronger!

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

I have had so many incredible experiences, met so many inspiring people and visited so many truly beautiful places throughout my career. But perhaps my most amazing experience was climbing my first 8a grade (a grade every climber aspires to climb) on Millennium Eve on a beach in Thailand at the age of 17 - It was a dream come true!

Who are your heroes?

I have no heroes really – just people that I admire for doing truly remarkable things at times when they seemed inconceivable. Climbers in the 90’s like Ben Moon and Ellie Chevieux fuelled my passion for climbing by pushing not only their personal climbing limits but the entire climbing world’s too.

What do you enjoy doing on your days off?

Meeting up with friends and taking in a bit of culture from time to time – whether that means film, photography or even dance!

How do you stay relaxed and focused when the pressure is on?

Mental flexibility – the variables change so much when you are climbing that it is vital to focus on the present – the next move and exactly how you are going to deal with it.

Mind over matter can work if you know the route you are climbing but if you don’t or the variables change you need to have a flexible approach, creativity and imagination to solve the problem the rock poses to you.

Focusing on controlling my breathing also helps massively.

What is your favorite Maximuscle product and why?

Promax – a really great product that is a must for any athlete that needs to quickly fully recover without putting on muscle mass – it’s a climbers dream come true!

Do you have any future goals?

Far too many! But let’s see what 2009 holds...