How to Make a Climbing Pegboard for Less than $30

 Whether you call it a climbing peg board or a climbing pegboard, this handy little workout device is a great way to increase forearm strength and grip strength; it's a perfect workout for rock climbers. This is something that a lot of gyms don't have anymore, which I think is a real shame. Sometimes you just can't beat the simplicity of less modern workout equipment.

If you want to learn how to make your own climbing peg board, you're in the right place. This is what we'll be making:

 

My main challenge was securing it to the tree without using screws or nails (I rent), which I solved by using two bracket 2x4s secured in place by a length of rope wrapped multiple times over both the tops and bottoms of the boards. To these I nailed the main pegboard. 

Climbing Pegboard Materials

-Two 5' lengths of 2x4

-One 4' length of 2x10

-100' of 1/4” twisted sisal rope

-1 ¼'' dowel rod

-1 ¼'' drill bit

-28 nails

-Power drill

-Saw

-Measuring tape

The drill, saw, nails, and measuring tape I already had, bringing the grand total to $29.05 at checkout. For the 2x10 I had to buy an 8' length, so if you'll really end up with two lengths of 4'. This is handy if you mess up or want to make a second climbing pegboard.

Homemade Climbing Pegboard Instructions

Step 1

The 2x10 board is going to be the main pegboard (where the holes go). Start by measuring 1 ¾'' in from each long side. Mark this with a line that goes the whole length of the board, one on each side. This will be the drill line for the peg holes, putting the outer edge of each hole about 1'' from the edge of the board.

Step 2

Starting on one line, measure 3'' up from the bottom and use a pen to mark that spot on the line. Now use your tape measure to mark off 8'' intervals all the way up to the top of the board. On the other line, measure up 7'', put a dot, then mark off 8'' intervals the rest of the way up.

Step 3

Use the 1 ¼'' drill bit to drill holes at each of the dots. Run the drill up and down a few times to make sure the sides of the holes are smooth. Make sure the dowel rod will slide smoothly into the holes as well. You might want to drill smaller pilot holes first so the large bit doesn't slip.

Step 4

At this point you might deviate from these instructions a bit depending on what your setup is like. I didn't want to drill too many holes into the trees in my yard, and I didn't have a good wall to mount the climbing peg board on. If you have a straight wall you can screw in some mounting brackets and save yourself a lot of time. If not...

Find a good straight tree. Take your 2x4s and figure out how high you want to mount the climbing peg board. When you mount them, the 2x4s will be flush with the tree trunk, but at a slight angle to each other to account for the curving trunk. (diagram below)

Step 5

For one 2x4 at a time, hammer a nail about halfway into the tree at both the base and the top of the 2x4. These will serve to hold the boards in place while you fasten them with rope. You can remove them later.

Step 6

Take the twisted sisal rope (you can use any kind that won't stretch) and begin wrapping it around the bottom 6'' of the 2x4s on the tree. Wrap this sucker tight at least 10 or 15 times; this is what's going to hold the weight so you want to make sure it's secure.

Tie it off and do the same thing for the tops of the boards. Keep all the loops at least within 6'' of the ends of the 2x4s. The peg board is a foot shorter than the 2x4s, so you have 6'' of playing room on each side.

Step 7

With the 2x4s secure, hold the peg board up to see where they touch the board. If the boards were mounted straight, you can draw a line on the pegboard to mark where it meets in the back. Now use a drill bit that's just slightly narrower than the nails and drill pilot holes along that line. Make 2 pilot holes in between each peg hole. (do this on both sides)

Step 8

Line up the peg board with the 2x4 brackets and begin nailing it in. Test to make sure it's secure before climbing on it!

Instructions for Making the Pegs

Take your length of 1 ¼'' dowel rod and push one end through one of the holes in the pegboard. Figure out how much you want for a good grip and then saw it off there. Measure off the same length and saw off a second one. Mine were 7 ½'' but you can change it up depending on your hand size.

And that's how you make a climbing peg board! Video up soon!

Posted in: bodyweight exercises, bouldering exercise, build muscle, climbing peg board, climbing pegboard, exercise for forearm strength, exercise for hand grip, exercise for rock climbing, rock climbing exercise