Climbing Drill 2 (CL 2) Exercises 2023

Climbing Drill 2 (CL 2) is an advanced, performance-centric drill designed for soldiers in the sustaining phase.

It aims to equip soldiers with the skills required for essential combat tasks like climbing, rope traversing, and pulling themselves up through ledges or windows.

Table of Contents hide

Key Elements of CL 2:

Climbing Drill 2 Exercises

Alternating Grip Pull-Up:

Conclusion

Key Elements of CL 2:

Equipment:

For added resistance, soldiers undertake CL 2 wearing their LBE/LBV, body armor (IOTV) and ACH.

Exercises:

Flexed-Arm Hang: Soldiers hold the UP position of this exercise for five seconds. This is performed for one repetition only.
Heel Hook: Executed for five repetitions.
Pull-up: Carried out for five repetitions.
Leg Tuck: Done for five repetitions.
Alternating Grip Pull-up: Completed for five repetitions.

Progression:

Once soldiers become proficient and can execute most of the drill without assistance, they can progress from performing five repetitions to ten.
They can also increase from one to two sets of CL2.
The ultimate goal is for soldiers to accomplish 5 to 10 repetitions of all five exercises without any assistance.

Sequence:

If opting for a second set, soldiers should repeat the entire drill in the order mentioned above.

Assistance:

Until a soldier can complete all repetitions unaided, spotters will provide the necessary assistance.

Training Segments: Table 9-8 provides a detailed breakdown of the body segments targeted during CL 2.

Army CL2 Exercises — Climbing Drill 2 Exercises

Climbing Drill 2 Exercises

Army Climbing Drill 2 has five exercises:

Exercise 1: Flexed-Arm Hang
Exercise 2: Heel Hook
Exercise 3: Pull-Up
Exercise 4: Leg Tuck
Exercise 5: Alternating Grip Pull-Up

Flexed-Arm Hang:

Execution:

Begin by gripping an overhead bar with your palms facing away. Using your arm strength, pull yourself up until your chin is above the bar.
Maintain this position, with elbows flexed, for as long as possible.

Muscles Targeted:

Primary: Biceps, brachialis, and brachioradialis (forearm muscles).
Secondary: deltoids (shoulders), rhomboids, and the latissimus dorsi (back muscles).

Benefits:

Builds strength and endurance in the upper body.
Improves grip strength, which is essential for various activities and tasks.

Heel Hook:

Execution:

While climbing, use one of your heels to hook onto a ledge or object to secure your position or aid in movement.

Muscles Targeted:

Primary: hamstrings and calf muscles.
Secondary: quadriceps, glutes, and core.

Benefits:

Enhances climbing skills and agility.
Strengthens leg muscles, particularly the hamstrings.

Pull-Up:

Execution:

Begin by hanging from an overhead bar with arms extended and palms facing away.
Pull yourself up until your chin is above the bar, then lower back down in a controlled motion.

Muscles Targeted:

Primary: Latissimus dorsi (back muscles).
Secondary: biceps, deltoids, rhomboids, and trapezius.

Benefits:

Builds strength and muscle mass in the upper body.
Improves upper-body functional fitness and mobility.

Leg Tuck:

Execution:

Start in a flexed-arm hang position on a bar.
Using your core strength, bring your knees up towards your elbows.

Muscles Targeted:

Primary: Rectus abdominis (core).
Secondary: Hip flexors, obliques, lats, and biceps.

Benefits:

Targets and strengthens the core muscles.
Enhances overall body stability and balance.

Alternating Grip Pull-Up:

Execution:

Hang from a bar with one palm facing you and the other facing away.
Perform a pull-up. After returning to the starting position, switch hand grips and repeat.

Muscles Targeted:

Primary: Latissimus dorsi, biceps, and brachialis.
Secondary: forearms, deltoids, and trapezius.

Benefits:

Provides an asymmetrical challenge, enhancing muscle coordination and balance.
Engages different muscle fibers and helps prevent muscular imbalances.

Each of these exercises offers specific benefits and targets key muscle groups. Integrating them into a training regimen can enhance upper-body strength, stability, and functional fitness.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Climbing Drill 2 (CL 2) is a holistic regimen tailored to prepare soldiers for the physical demands of combat.

Each of these exercises offers specific benefits and targets key muscle groups. Integrating them into a training regimen can enhance upper body strength, stability, and functional fitness.
Through structured progression and rigorous training, soldiers are prepared to tackle challenging terrain and obstacles in real-world scenarios.

Table 9-8. Body segments trained in CL 2.

Climbing Drill 2

Exercise 1: Flexed-Arm Hang
Exercise 2: Heel Hook
Exercise 3: Pull-Up
Exercise 4: Leg Tuck
Exercise 5: Alternating Grip Pull-Up

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George N.

George N. is the founder of ArmyPRT.com. While he never actually served in the United States Army, he has a passion for writing about military-related topics.

Born and raised in Bozeman, Montana, he graduated from George State University with an MBA in Actuarial Science. His hobbies include beach volleyball, hiking, fishing, and lifting weights

George is also a certified nutritionist with a passion for health and fitness.