Services & Offerings
Browse Ben’s current Testing, Training Plans, Education, and Team offerings. Physical test results are interpreted alongside climbing context rather than treated as a complete diagnosis on their own.
Diagnostic Testing & Baselines
Climbing-specific strength, power, and endurance testing using documented procedures for finger force, pulling strength and velocity, vertical jump, and fatigue tests.
Basic Plan
Foundational physical profiling for boulderers. We assess your vertical jumping power and core foundational strength benchmarks to identify neuromuscular and strength baselines.
- Vertical jump & countermovement jump assessment (lower body power)
- Upper-body basic strength & pulling baseline benchmarks
- Body composition & strength-to-weight ratio profiling
- Takeaway benchmark report with initial training focus areas
Standard Plan
Comprehensive physical and sport-specific testing battery. Includes everything in the Basic Plan plus critical baseline testing customized to your bouldering training requirements.
- Everything included in the Basic Plan (Vertical Jump & Basic Strength)
- Max isometric finger strength testing on standardized 20mm edge (half crimp & open hand)
- Rate of Force Development (RFD) baseline and pulling capacity curve
- Steep board tension & core transfer assessment
- Detailed comparison report against grade-specific bouldering benchmarks
Endurance Testing
Diagnostic assessment of finger flexor endurance and aerobic recovery. Benchmark continuous hang capacity and forearm oxygenation recovery dynamics. Standalone $90, or bundle with any plan for just $40!
- Intermittent & sustained finger flexor endurance profiling
- Forearm hemodynamic recovery curve & fatigue drop-off assessment
- Critical force calculation for sustained boulder links
- Specific energy system recommendations (aerobic capacity vs. anaerobic lactic)
Check up (1 hour)
Monitoring and risk reduction session for ongoing athletes. Evaluate finger health, joint integrity, fatigue markers, and mechanical load tolerance. Add to any plan for 50% off ($45) for peace of mind. Note: Beyond 1 hour is billed as a 30-minute consult.
- Objective finger pulley & tendon health assessment
- Fatigue monitoring & active load tolerance evaluation
- Injury prevention protocol adjustments & weak-link screening
- Peace-of-mind progress check (Extensions beyond 1 hour billed as 30-min consult)
Training Plans & Structuring
Individualized training structure designed around your climbing goals, projects, and schedule.
Custom Strength Training Plan
Individualized 4-week periodized strength cycles built around your specific bouldering projects. Includes full onboarding setup ($150) and continuous monthly plan delivery ($90/month). Note: Extra support or revisions for changes to the plan are billed separately.
- Comprehensive intake analysis of climbing history, project grades & schedule
- Structured 4-week microcycles (board climbing, finger loading, power endurance)
- 20mm edge hangboard load progression & system board workouts (Kilter/Tension/spray)
- Monthly updated training block ($90/mo recurring)
- Transparent policy: Ongoing training structure included; extra consults or plan restructuring sessions are booked separately ($90/hr)
Training Plan Structuring & Report Analysis
A dedicated 1-hour strategic session to analyze assessment reports, interpret diagnostic data, and structure a periodized training calendar tailored to your upcoming outdoor or competition season.
- Full walkthrough of your physiological diagnostic reports
- Weekly calendar design: volume, intensity, board sessions, and rest allocation
- Targeted exercise selection tailored to your diagnosed physiological limiters
- Ideal follow-up for assessment clients or Custom Plan modifications
Education & Consultations
Athlete education and one-to-one consultations that translate exercise physiology and climbing research into practical training decisions.
Athlete Education Sessions
120 MinsComprehensive 2-hour education session translating exercise physiology into practical climbing performance. Covers energy systems, finger connective tissue biology, and training principles. (Recommendation of 2 sessions; ideal for individuals, youth competitors, or team scenarios).
- 2 hours of high-impact sports physiology education
- Deep dive into tendon biology, rate of force development, and recovery nutrition
- Recommendation of 2 paired modules for maximum retention
- Customizable for individual climbers or entire team / squad cohorts
Coach's Corner
60 MinsAre you a climbing coach or athlete looking for quick, high-level insight from an MSc Sports Scientist? Schedule a focused 1-hour session to answer questions specific to your climbing, client programming, or diagnostic testing needs.
- 1-on-1 consultation directly with exercise physiologist Ben McKellar, MSc
- Audit existing athlete programs or team training protocols
- Evidence-based discussion on biomechanics, loading parameters, and periodization
- Practical takeaways to implement immediately into your coaching toolkit
Teams & Gym Clinics
Efficient group testing, coach support, and education tailored for competitive youth squads, collegiate clubs, and climbing gyms.
Team testing integration
See how testing fits into your existing coaching system
Explore the coach-led process, season-long testing cycle, TeamBuildr support, and the physiology expertise Ben brings to your staff.
Science behind Sport Workshop
Interactive seminar and practical workshop (up to 3 hours) presenting the evidence-based science behind sport and bouldering performance. Tailored for climbing gyms, competitive youth teams, collegiate clubs, or coaching clinics. Travel not included.
- Up to 3 hours of tailored seminar instruction & practical movement demos
- Forearm hemodynamics, blood flow restriction (BFR) science, and force production
- Hands-on equipment demonstration (20mm edge testing, RFD profiling)
- Q&A session with printed takeaway resources for participants (Travel billed separately)
Competitive Team Squad Diagnostics
Youth & CollegiateA staggered testing format for younger athletes or larger groups. The documented battery uses 10mm finger strength, ring-pull strength, vertical jump, a pull-up beep test, and an intermittent 10mm crimp hang.
- Approximately five athletes per group and 10–15 athletes tested per hour
- Consistent strength, jump, and practical endurance procedures
- Athlete reports with reference comparisons where suitable data are available
Pair Squad Testing with 2-Hour Youth Athlete & Parent Education
Help athletes and parents understand what each test measures, how results are interpreted, and how physical development fits alongside climbing skill and healthy training habits.
Travel Policies & Session Logistics
Standard flat travel rate across Toronto & the Greater Toronto Area (Mississauga, Markham, Oakville, Vaughan).
* Note: The coach may waive or discount the travel fee at discretion for back-to-back group bookings.
Outside the GTA? Coach Ben can come to your climbing gym or another agreed training location:
Common service areas include Hamilton, Guelph, Waterloo, and other Southern Ontario locations.