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Pick-ups

5 pick-ups of 8 s per hand on a lifting edge, 3 s to switch hands, 3 min rest. Track the weight.

Slot
Strength
Focus
Finger strength
Time
14 min
Intensity
High intensity
Injury risk
Moderate injury risk
Equipment
Lifting edge, 20 mm edge, Added weight

A 20 mm edge is a hangboard edge about as deep as the pad of your fingertip.

How to do it

A pick-up is lifting a weight off the floor with one hand on a small edge (a lifting edge or no-hang device) instead of hanging from it. Standing, take the edge in a half crimp and lift the weight just off the floor, holding for 8 seconds with your shoulder still. Take 3 seconds to switch hands and hold 8 seconds with the other hand. Rest 3 minutes, and do 5 rounds. Write down the weight for each hand so you can track progress.

Run it now

The same timer as the app: a five-second get-ready, then every round and rest counted down with a beep. Keep this page open while you train.

Pick-ups

0:00 / 13:40

Ready

13:40

5 rounds

5 pick-ups of 8 s per hand on a lifting edge, 3 s to switch hands, 3 min rest. Track the weight.

5
rounds
8s
work per side
3s
switch
3:00
rest
13:40
total

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Who it's for

Anyone who wants finger strength without hanging their whole bodyweight, which includes climbers with shoulder or elbow problems, and anyone who wants a number to track. Standing on the floor means you control the load precisely.

Common mistakes

  • Ripping the weight off the floor. Build the pull over a second, then hold. A snatch loads the pulleys hard and tells you nothing.
  • Moving the shoulder. The arm stays still. If your shoulder is doing the lifting, the fingers aren't.
  • Different hand positions per side. Same position both hands, or the numbers aren't comparable.
  • Not writing the weight down. Tracking is most of the value. Log both hands separately, because they'll differ.

How to progress

Add a small amount of weight when all five rounds feel controlled on both hands. Because the load is precise, this is the easiest finger protocol to progress honestly, and the easiest to overreach on if you chase numbers.

When it fits

The training periods this exercise fits into in Blok Sessions.

  • Strength Stronger fingers and pulling, with weight you control.

  • Power Explosive moves, momentum and coordination.

  • Performance Peak for a trip or a comp: focus, reading problems, trying hard.