As firecrackers crackle in the distance and the sweet aroma of osmanthus rice wine fills the air, millions across China are settling into the familiar rhythms of Lunar New Year: clearing dust to sweep away bad luck, wrapping dumplings shaped like gold ingots, and trading work emails for late-night card games with family. It’s a week of slowing down, of pausing the hustle to savor connection. Yet for the climbing community, there’s a quiet ritual that often persists amid the chaos: a quick glance at the hangboard mounted in the home gym, a mental note to squeeze in a set between visiting relatives, a subtle flex of the forearms that says, “I’m still here, still growing.”
In a world that often equates “progress” with constant movement, the hangboard teaches a radical lesson—one that feels especially poignant as we stand on the threshold of the 2026 Year of the Horse: sometimes, the greatest strength lies in holding on. For over a decade, Two Stones has been obsessed with perfecting that lesson, crafting hangboards that don’t just build muscle, but build resilience. As we celebrate the most important holiday in the Chinese calendar, we’re not just here to share expert hang board wisdom; we’re here to raise a glass (of herbal tea, post-training, of course) to you—the climbers, the dreamers, the ones who turn every indoor session into a step toward the summit.
To truly understand the power of a hangboard, you have to move beyond the surface: it’s not just a slab of sustainably sourced ash wood or a precision-molded polymer panel, but a microcosm of climbing itself. Every edge, every pocket, every pinch hold is a different challenge—much like the twists and turns of the year ahead. For 2026, we’ve leaned into that philosophy, refining our flagship designs to meet the needs of every level of athlete, from the weekend warrior tackling their first outdoor crag to the competitive boulderer eyeing a national championship.
The Science of the Grip: A 2026 Training Blueprint for Every Climber
One of the most common questions we receive year-round is: “How do I train smart on the hanging board?” As the Lunar New Year brings moments of reflection (and maybe a few extra days of free time), it’s the perfect opportunity to reset your training routine—without falling into the trap of overtraining. Drawing on 2025 research from the International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation (UIAA), which analyzed the grip strength of 3,000 elite climbers, we’ve crafted a tiered plan tailored to your skill level, designed to be integrated seamlessly into your holiday schedule.
For beginners, the focus is on neuromuscular adaptation, not brute force. The UIAA study found that new climbers who prioritize form over duration reduce their risk of pulley injuries by 62%—a statistic we take seriously at Two Stones. Skip the tiny crimps; start with our 30mm Flat Edge or the ergonomic Jug Holds on the Two Stones Core Series. Your pre-training warm-up is non-negotiable (12 minutes is the sweet spot): start with wrist circles (30 seconds each direction), finger taps on a table (1 minute), and active hang stretches (2 sets of 20 seconds) to flood the forearms with blood. Then, execute 4 sets of 10-second dead hangs, with 90 seconds of rest in between. Do this just once a week during the holiday—consistency beats intensity, especially when you’re balancing family dinners and temple visits.
For intermediate climbers, the goal is to build anaerobic endurance. The repeater method is your ally here, and our Two Stones Pro Series, with its variable edge depths (from 10mm to 25mm), is built for this exact work. Follow the 7-3-7-3 protocol: 7 seconds of hanging on a 15mm Crimp Edge, 3 seconds of rest (keeping your feet off the ground), repeated for 8 total rounds. Rest for 3 minutes, then repeat 3 sets. What makes this holiday-friendly? It takes just 15 minutes, and you can pair it with a post-dinner walk to aid recovery—proving that training and celebration don’t have to be mutually exclusive.
For advanced climbers, we’re introducing a new challenge inspired by the Year of the Horse: the “Gallop Protocol.” This targets the pinch strength critical for steep overhangs, using our Two Stones Pinch Block Add-On. Hold a double pinch for 8 seconds, add a 2kg weight plate for 6 seconds, remove the weight for another 8 seconds, then rest for 2 minutes. Complete 5 sets, and limit this to once every 10 days—recovery is where the magic happens, especially during a time of year when sleep schedules are disrupted.
Fueling the Grip: Lunar New Year Eats That Boost Climbing Performance
No training plan is complete without nutrition, and the Lunar New Year’s feast doesn’t have to derail your progress—in fact, many traditional dishes are perfect for fueling finger strength. We’ve collaborated with sports nutritionist Dr. Li Mei, a competitive climber herself, to break down how to enjoy the holiday table while supporting your training.
Forget the myth that you have to skip dumplings: fill them with lean pork and chives, and you’re getting a balanced mix of protein (for muscle repair) and fiber (for steady energy). Fish, a staple of New Year’s dinners symbolizing “surplus,” is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which reduce inflammation in overworked forearms. Even the iconic sticky rice cake (niangao) has its place: eat a small slice post-training, and its complex carbs will replenish your glycogen stores faster than a sports drink.
The key, Dr. Li emphasizes, is moderation—especially with alcohol. A glass of rice wine is fine, but excessive drinking impairs muscle protein synthesis, which is crucial for hangboard training recovery. For a post-workout mocktail, mix fresh lychee juice with sparkling water and a squeeze of lime—hydrating, refreshing, and perfectly festive.
To Our Two Stones Family: Thank You for Holding On With Us
As the clock strikes midnight on February 17th, marking the official start of the Year of the Horse, we’ll be thinking of you. We’ll be thinking of the climber in Harbin who mounted their Two Stones climbing hangboard in a basement, training through subzero temperatures to send a route in Yunnan this spring. We’ll be thinking of the mother in Shanghai who uses our Kids Series to bond with her 8-year-old, turning climbing hang board sessions into a game of “who can hold on the longest.” We’ll be thinking of every single one of you who has chosen our brand to be part of your journey—through the triumphs, the setbacks, and the quiet moments of progress that no one else sees.
This past year, we faced our own challenges: refining our manufacturing process to reduce our carbon footprint, conducting user testing across 20 Chinese climbing gyms, and listening to your feedback to tweak the texture of our sloper holds for better friction. None of it would have been possible without you. Your reviews, your photos, your questions—they’re the reason we keep pushing to make the best hangboards in the world.
As you celebrate the Lunar New Year, we have one wish for you: may you hold on to the moments that matter— the laughter with your grandparents, the pride of watching your child nail their first hang, the quiet confidence that comes from knowing you’re getting stronger every day. And when you step back onto the wall (or the hangboard) in the new year, may you do so with the speed and grace of the horse, the resilience of the climber, and the knowledge that you’re part of a community that has your back.
To our dear customers: thank you. For your trust, for your passion, for your unwavering commitment to the sport we love.
Happy Lunar New Year, and may your grip be strong, your spirit be unbroken, and your 2026 be a year of soaring heights.
With love and gratitude,
The Two Stones Team
February 2026