Fingerboards and hangboards for climbing training are available from a number of brands. But, the training tool top-end, elite climbers and elite boulderers keep coming back to are Beastmaker 1000 and Beastmaker 2000 hangboards.
For starters, the standout feature of a Beastmaker fingerboard is the fact that it's made of wood. This means it's low-friction, which makes your fingers work harder, making training on it more effective for strengthening your fingers. The second reason that wood is ideal is, it's forgiving on your skin – which means, you can save your skin for your hard projects.
Wood is also the reason Beastmakers are pricey – it takes longer to make a quality hangboard from wood. From start to finish, Beastmaker hangboards are made entirely in the UK. Each Beastmaker fingerboard starts from a SOLID block of wood. It's then roughed out on a custom-built CNC machine. Next, it's sanded smooth – manually. After that, each pocket is hand-sanded.
Beastmaker – as a brand – is big on sustainability. Beastmaker only uses certified wood from responsibly managed forests, and staff recycle as much as they can in the Beastmaker workshop. Also, Beastmaker's workshop is run on electricity that is 100% from renewable sources (mostly wind farms).
Of course, Beastmaker hangboards are famous for other reasons. It's said that Beastmaker hangboards have the best slopers on the market. There are enough of these slippery suckers to help you train for those Fontainbleau-esque boulder problems in the Grampians. However, Beastmaker fingerboards aren't a one-trick pony. They have a particular variety of holds – widely regarded as the best – including evil monos (anyone working Somalia at Arapiles?) and everything in-between.
Which Beastmaker fingerboard should you get?
The Beastmaker 1000 fingerboard is the 'easier' of the two. There are jugs and deeper pockets to make deadhangs and pull-ups possible for 'mere mortals'.
The Beastmaker 2000 is for intermediate to advanced climbers and boulderers. It'll really take you to your limits and help you target your weaknesses, whatever that grip type might be. If you're a veteran when it comes to training for climbing and bouldering, this is the hangboard that will serve you best. It is one of the toughest hangboards around.
Beastmaker fingerboards are available in-store at Bogong Equipment in Melbourne.