Climber Spotlight - Lewis Flanagan
IG: @lewisdeanflanagan
From raw strength to refined strategy, Lewis is redefining what it means to be a hybrid athlete on the wall – training smarter, dialing in technique, and turning his focus to grip strength, mobility, and mindful movement.
From Strength to Strategy
Lewis first dipped a toe into climbing years ago… and instantly stepped right back out.
“They were so uncomfortable — I didn’t last long at all,” he laughs, remembering the brutal reality of trying on climbing shoes. But something stuck and last year, he circled back — this time for real. It clicked fast. “I knew instantly it was something I had been missing my whole life,” Lewis says.
As someone drawn to movement but disinterested in head-to-head competition, climbing gave him something rare: a personal challenge, with no opponent but himself. “Climbing for me stimulates me physically and psychologically,” he explains. “It allows me to push myself and go to war with my demons — without anyone else having to lose.”
Building a Hybrid Routine
Now well into his first full year, Lewis is running what he calls a “ten-day training week” — a hybrid athlete’s dream.
He splits time between climbing, lifting heavy, cycling, and outdoor adventuring, all while carving out space for mobility and recovery. A typical cycle includes:
-
4 days of climbing (including indoor power-endurance sessions + outdoor days)
-
3 days of heavy lifting
-
3 days of rest/mobility (often blended into climbing days)
It’s a demanding rhythm, but one Lewis thrives on. “I’m blessed with strength and power,” he says, “which means I’ve never really needed technique. So my goal now is to become more technical, more efficient, and more graceful in my climbing.”
Training Smarter, Not Just Stronger
That’s where Crux Gear comes in. Lewis trains grip strength three times a week — combining light hangs with heavier one-arm lifts using the MagBoard Mini. “It’s been a great tool and so easy to carry in my pack,” he says. The MagBoard Mini has become a key part of his progression — not just to amplify raw power, but to add intentionality to how that power gets applied.
Takeaways from Lewis’s Journey
-
Power’s not everything — Technique and grace are what unlock the next level.
-
Challenge yourself — for yourself. Climbing lets you battle your limits, not an opponent.
-
Build your own rhythm. A ten-day training cycle isn’t traditional, but it works for him.
-
Bring your gear with you. Portability matters when you’re training wherever life takes you.
-
Start where you are. Every climber — even the strongest — has something to refine.
Lewis is just getting started. But with intention, effort, and a growing toolkit, he’s not just climbing stronger — he’s climbing smarter and we’re stoked to be along for the ride.
