Can't get enough of climbing and bouldering even when you're not on the wall? We've compiled podcast recommendations about climbing so you can always have your favorite topics at your fingertips.
The bouldering and climbing boom has long since reached the podcast world. Here are our favorite podcasts from the scene – from broadly diversified to super-nerdy, all available free of charge.
I'm off bouldering | Juliane Fritz
Since 2018, Juliane Fritz has been meeting people from the bouldering scene and attending bouldering events for her podcast "Bin weg Bouldern" (Off Bouldering). In conversation with her guests, she goes behind the scenes of climbing gyms and competitions, talks to athletes, coaches, and route setters, and explores health-related topics with experts in physiotherapy, psychotherapy, education, and medicine. Perfect for all bouldering fans!
- New episodes: every month
- Language: German
- Available at: Spotify, Apple podcasts, Podium, Website, YouTube
Free climbing | Martin Schmidt
From 2012 to 2016, Martin Schmidt explored the history and stories of sport climbing in his podcast "Freiklettern" (Free Climbing). Precisely because it was a self-contained podcast project, "Freiklettern" can be seen as a small but excellent, complete journey through the German-speaking climbing scene.
In each episode, various companions of the sport have their say – for example Robert LeistnerMilan Sykora or Udo Neumann. It's not just about historically important ascents and developments, but also about the self-image of climbers. A must-read for nostalgics and history buffs.
- New episodes: completed, a total of 20 episodes
- Language: German
- Available at: Apple podcasts, Podcast.de, Website
Ulligunde (p)lauscht | Erika Dürr
Erika Dürr, also known as Ulligunde, lives in the Allgäu region and loves spending time in the mountains or paragliding. She listens to people who, like her, can't get enough of the vertical – whether professional or amateur, mountaineer, photographer, or paraglider pilot.
With her work – and her podcast – "Ulligunde" aims to inspire people (and especially other women) to take a step outside their comfort zone. As a blogger, photographer, and now podcaster, she shares her passion with a wide variety of guests and doesn't shy away from addressing serious topics like fear or grief, which are always present in climbing and mountaineering.
- New episodes: every 4-6 weeks
- Language: German
- Available at: Spotify, Podcast.de, Website
Eric Hörst's Training for Climbing Podcast | Eric J. Hörst
Eric Hörst might be a familiar name to some of us who are older. The American is a leading expert in the field of climbing training and founded [company name] in 2000. TrainingForClimbing.com one of the most visited websites on the topic to date.
As a climbing coach and renowned author of various training books, the 62-year-old shares his more than 50 years of experience in his training podcast. In episodes of varying lengths, Hörst delves into specific training topics related to climbing and bouldering – from (P)rehab and classic training mistakes to mental preparation for climbing. Anyone who thinks they have nothing more to learn about climbing training should definitely check out this podcast.
The Technician Boulder Bundesliga Podcast | Juliane Fritz
The accompanying podcast for the Techniker Boulder Bundesliga offers the latest news on the current season and insights into bouldering and health. You might already know podcast host Juliane Fritz from her own project, "Bin weg Bouldern" (Off Bouldering). For the Techniker Boulder Bundesliga, she presents a new episode for each match day, perfect for getting to the next bouldering location. But even those not participating in the Bundesliga can tune in for free to explore practical topics like "How can I improve my dynos?"
- New episodes: for every Bundesliga matchday
- Language: German
- Available at: Spotify, Apple podcasts, Podium, PodRadar, RTL More
The Dirtbag Diaries | Duct Tape Then Beer
The granddaddy of all outdoor and adventure podcasts. Climber, adventurer (and back in the day, Dirtbag) Fitz Cahall founded a pioneering project in 2007, when podcasts hadn't yet entered the mainstream. Today, the "Dirtbag Diaries" is a project with many contributors, still dedicated to the adventures of the "Great Outdoors"—often with a climbing focus, featuring renowned guests such as... Kilian JournetThis very special podcast recommendation should also inspire die-hard climbers to embrace outdoor adventures from other areas.
- New episodes: every 2 weeks
- Language: English
- Available at: Spotify, Apple podcasts, YouTube, Website
Climbing – Just Hold On | Marvin Weinhold
Marvin Weinhold is not only a long-time climber himself, but also a certified performance coach for sport climbing and holds a degree in sports and education science. The former state coach of the Saxony team and instructor in high-altitude rescue has been dedicating his podcast "Climbing – Just Hold On" to various facets of the sport from a coach's perspective since 2022. Topics range from equipment and safety issues to training tips and injury prevention, as well as risk management and advice for mentoring children and teenagers in competitive sports – always well-founded and thoroughly researched.
- New episodes: every Tuesday, and every other Friday.
- Language: German
- Available at: Spotify, Apple podcasts, Website
That's Not Real Climbing | Jinni Xia
This is all about plastic: American Jinni Xia is a passionate follower of bouldering and climbing competitions and regularly invites top athletes, coaches, route setters, and other experts from the World Cup scene. Olympic climber Erin McNeiceWorld Climbing commentator Matt Groom and Germany's national bouldering coach Sagi Damti have already been guests. "That's Not Real Climbing" offers an intimate look behind the scenes of the international competition scene – and sometimes a bit of gossip.
- New episodes: every month
- Language: English
- Available at: Spotify, Apple podcasts, YouTube, Website
Another Setting Podcast | Niklas Wiechmann & Jake Mason
The podcast for all route-setting nerds. Niklas Wiechmann and Jake Mason are experienced route setters who chat at irregular intervals about current trend moves, the latest World Cups, and intercultural differences in route setting. They also offer glimpses behind the scenes of the route-setting scene, as well as personal experiences and tips – sometimes with renowned route setters as podcast guests. If you're not bothered by the (sometimes inconsistent) audio quality and want to learn more about route setting, this is the podcast for you.
- New episodes: 1-3 episodes per month
- Language: English
- Available at: Spotify
Transparency note
We had originally recommended "The Nugget Climbing Podcast" here. However, we subsequently received a tip from the community that host Steven Dimmitt recently shared content in his podcast that is politically incompatible with our stance at LACRUX.com. We have therefore removed the recommendation from the post and thank you for bringing this to our attention.
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Image credits: Generative AI