In reply to LeeWood:
It is precisely its regularity that makes it advantageous. Training for climbing has been in the dark ages - espeically compared to running or cycling, or similar endurance sports.
Training for running is much easier: it is well known what works, and is much easier to measure and record the main variables - that is, volume and pace.
In comparison it is almost impossible to do the same with climbing. Even training on a bouldering wall which is at least a fairly controlled medium, it is hard if not impossible to measure and record the activity. Made even worse by the fact that walls insist on resetting the problems every few weeks.
So the advantage of something like the lattice is you can use it to measure progress in training the main energy systems, aerobic and anaerobic (I'm simplifying here). Ultimately if you can hang on and endure for ever you can climb almost any long endurance route.
Of course, you are right that climbing is very complex activity in terms of moves and timing (not to mention mental aspects etc), so you have to train all those other angles by doing real climbing. Sort of like in running where ideally you run offroad and do XC for strength - though of course running is a much simpler activity.
ps. rowing doesn't just need precision. You have to work well as a team if you're in a crew, and there's all the mental aspects of racing.
Can we all keep cranking hard, even when life seems determined to slow us down? Inigo Atkin talks to Tom Randall and others as he looks at varying approaches to consistency in climbing and training in professional climbers, weekend warriors and everyday heroes...
