For years, I believed that all hangboards were essentially the same. They were blocks of wood or resin with edges of varying sizes. The only variables were how small the edges were and how much weight you could hang from them.
Then I started using a Two Stones hangboard, and I realized how wrong I was.
The difference wasn’t subtle. It was like switching from a generic running shoe to one custom-fitted to your foot. My fingers felt better. My form improved. And for the first time in years, I started making progress without the nagging aches I had accepted as normal.
This is the story of how I learned that not all hangboards are created equal—and why ergonomics and texture matter more than you might think.
The Problem with Traditional Hangboards
Before I discovered Two Stones, I trained on a standard wooden hangboard. It had edges ranging from 10mm to 30mm, a few pockets, and a flat, polished surface. It did the job, but something always felt off.
When I hung from the smaller edges, my wrists were forced into slightly awkward positions. To keep my fingers in a half-crimp, I had to rotate my wrist in a way that felt unnatural. I assumed this was just part of hangboarding—discomfort was the price of progress.
I also struggled with the texture. The polished wood was slick. I needed a lot of chalk, and even then, I occasionally slipped off edges unexpectedly. That slippage wasn’t just frustrating—it was dangerous. A sudden slip on a climbing hangboard can shock-load your pulleys in a way that mimics an injury mechanism.
I accepted these limitations for years. I thought my minor wrist discomfort was just weakness. I thought the slipping was my fault, not the board’s.
Then I tried a Two Stones board, and everything changed.
The Ergonomics Difference
The first thing I noticed about the Two Stones climbing hangboard was how my hands naturally fit into the edges. The board is designed with what the company calls “bi-angular” edges—meaning the edge isn’t a flat, straight line. It curves slightly, following the natural arc of your fingers.
This sounds like a small detail, but it makes a massive difference. On a traditional flat edge, your fingers sit at slightly different depths. Your middle finger, being the longest, bears more load. On a bi-angular edge, each finger engages more evenly. The load is distributed across the hand, not concentrated on one or two fingers.
I also noticed the wrist positioning. On a traditional board, hanging from small edges often forces your wrist into extension—bending backward—which places additional stress on the flexor tendons. The Two Stones board is shaped to allow a more neutral wrist position. My wrists stopped aching. My elbows, which had been chronically sore, started to feel better within weeks.
The Texture Revolution
The second revelation was the texture. Two Stones hangboards use a textured surface that mimics real rock—specifically, the gritstone and limestone found in many climbing areas. It’s not polished smooth like most wooden boards. It’s also not aggressively rough like some resin boards that tear up your skin.
This texture does two things.
First, it provides grip without requiring excessive chalk. I found that I could hang confidently without constantly re-chalking. This meant my sessions were more efficient, and I wasn’t constantly breaking focus to manage my hands.
Second, the texture conditions your skin in a way that transfers directly to outdoor climbing. After training on a Two Stones hang board for a few months, I noticed that my skin felt tougher and more resilient on real rock. The board was preparing my fingers not just for the gym, but for the outdoors.
Real Climbers, Real Results
I’m not the only one who has noticed the difference. Two Stones boards have gained a following among serious climbers for good reason.
Dave MacLeod, the Scottish climber known for his relentless work ethic and scientific approach to training, has spoken about the importance of ergonomics in finger training. He emphasizes that hangboard design should mimic the angles and textures climbers actually encounter. A board that forces unnatural wrist positions, he argues, is training you to be strong in positions you’ll rarely use—while increasing injury risk.
Lattice Training, one of the world’s leading climbing coaching platforms, has incorporated ergonomic principles into their training recommendations. They note that wrist angle and finger engagement are critical variables in hangboard safety and effectiveness. A board that allows a neutral wrist and even finger loading isn’t just more comfortable—it’s more effective and safer.
I also spoke with a climbing physiotherapist who works with elite athletes. She told me that a significant percentage of the finger injuries she treats are exacerbated—if not caused—by poor hangboard ergonomics. “People train on boards that force their hands into positions they’d never use on rock,” she said. “Then they wonder why they get injured.”
What I Changed
After switching to a Two Stones board, I overhauled my climbing hangboard training in several ways.
I started using open-hand grips more. The ergonomic edges made open-hand hanging feel natural and secure, so I incorporated more three-finger drag and open-crimp work into my sessions.
I reduced chalk use dramatically. The textured surface meant I didn’t need to chalk between every hang. This made my sessions flow better and reduced the drying effect on my skin.
I paid more attention to wrist alignment. Instead of accepting discomfort, I adjusted my position on the board until my wrists felt neutral. The board’s design made this possible in ways my old board never did.
I trained pockets with more confidence. Traditional pocket holds on hangboards often force your hand into an unnatural twist. Two Stones pockets are angled to match the natural orientation of your fingers, making pocket training safer and more specific to actual climbing.
The Results
Within three months of switching, I noticed real changes. My chronic wrist and elbow discomfort disappeared. My fingers felt stronger not just in the gym, but on rock. I sent a project that had eluded me for two seasons—a boulder with a small, sloping crimp that required precise finger engagement.
More importantly, I stopped dreading hangboard sessions. They went from being a necessary chore to something I actually looked forward to. The board felt like a partner in my training, not an obstacle.
What to Look For
If you’re considering upgrading your hangboard or buying your first, here’s what I’ve learned to look for.
Ergonomics matter. Look for a board with curved or bi-angular edges that allow your fingers to engage evenly. Avoid boards that force your wrists into uncomfortable positions.
Texture matters. A textured surface that mimics real rock will prepare your skin for outdoor climbing and provide better grip than polished wood.
Versatility matters. A good board should have a range of edge sizes and pocket configurations so you can train different grips as you progress.
Anatomical design matters. Your hands are not flat planks. Your board shouldn’t be either.
The Long View
I’ve been climbing for over a decade. I’ve trained on at least six different hangboards. The Two Stones board is the first one that made me feel like the tool was designed for my hands, not the other way around.
Finger training is a long game. The equipment you use matters. If your board is forcing you into awkward positions, irritating your skin, or making training feel like a battle, it’s worth considering an upgrade.
Your fingers are your most valuable asset as a climber. Treat them like it.