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angry
Jun 6, 2010, 1:21 PM
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To preface, I don't lift weights. In fact, the last time I lifted weights regularly was 2003. Even then, it was primarily legs (bike racing).
So yesterday out of bored curiosity, I went into the weight room to see if I could bench press my own weight.
My training consists of climbing, some light cycling, and jugging ropes to set routes at the wall. I think I've done approximately 20 pushups in 2010.
I started at 45 lbs under my weight. Fucking easy. Good to know since that's the weight (not the proportion, I'm heavier now) that I couldn't bench in high school.
I threw on some plates and did it at 25 lbs under my weight, heavier but no problem. This was the most I'd ever benched (of course, I've never benched).
I threw on more so I was 5 under my weight. I had to work to get the bar off my chest but again, not a problem. I tossed on the 2.5's to finish it off, and bam, done. I bench pressed my weight.
This isn't anything to brag about. I know lifters regularly bench double their body weight. I just think it's interesting that with absolutely no specific training, I was able to bench ok.
It flies in the face of the prevailing sentiment that climbers have overgrown backs and weak chests.
I am not advocating lifting (especially straight bench press) to climb. I'm only putting this up to shed some light on those who enjoy thinking about what muscles get used in climbing.
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meanandugly
Jun 6, 2010, 2:38 PM
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Not to say that your experiment is irrelevant, but I know many people who are rather physically inactive and never work out that can bench press their own weight. However, if you had a measurement of what kind of performance your back was capable of pre-climbing and compared it to now the we would have the beginnings of a scientific hypothesis.
Climbing is rather dynamic and quite often will involve the chest to become active, so thus through climbing you do train the chest, although no as much as the back.
I agree with you that such statements are stretching the limits of truth, but are not without some validity. I live in an area where rowing is a big deal and I notice that some rowers will definitely have over developed backs...to the point that the look like a hunchback, but many coaches are smart enough to make sure that other training is done to ensure a more well rounded athlete.
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ClimbClimb
Jun 6, 2010, 3:49 PM
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This isn't that surprising, since things like being able to benchpress your own weight, do a few pullups, a few dozen pushups, etc. are marks of a fit, athletic individual. Sure, there are counter-examples in both directions, but this is also why I am skeptical when I see posts about people who *cant* do any of those things climbing well...
Put another way, climbing makes you stronger, and being stronger makes you better at some types of climbing, and it *should* work this way. I've certainly gotten some nice surprises about getting stronger in unexpected ways from climbing, and vice-versa. I do realize there's a school of thought that says this isn't true, but I just dont' buy it.
Anyway, congrats on your discovery, Angry, I agree that benching your own weight is one of those milestones that sticks in your mind -- and it must feel really good to have ticked it off without ever having to lift weights, instead doing what you love. It's great. ;-)
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veilneb
Jun 6, 2010, 6:01 PM
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You should be able to do 10 reps at your bodyweight.
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sp00ki
Jun 6, 2010, 11:56 PM
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Pretty sure this is the weightlifting equivalent of "with no training whatsoever, i was able to run an entire mile at a ten minute pace."
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meanandugly
Jun 7, 2010, 1:02 AM
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRBkgshj8Cw
Damn, still can't make things go clicky.
(This post was edited by meanandugly on Jun 7, 2010, 1:05 AM)
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angry
Jun 7, 2010, 1:04 AM
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You realize it's actually easier for me to make this clicky than it is to copy and paste?
You've been around long enough to fucking know better.
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meanandugly
Jun 7, 2010, 1:06 AM
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lol
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hafilax
Jun 7, 2010, 1:40 AM
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What do you weigh? 95# 
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Prokofievian
Jun 7, 2010, 5:00 AM
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You weigh either 120, 140, or 160. 160, after doing no training is pretty good. 120, or 140, and this thread should not have been made.
An interesting point, the bench press is an exercise that will respond almost immediately to tweaks in your technique. So if you benched 120, changing about 6 things(probably, unless you were born with perfect technique...which you weren't), you could probably get 140.
Also, as someone who absolutely loves lifting weights, why do you say "I'm not recommending lifting weights for training for climbing"? Any specific reason?
Cheers.
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crockstar
Jun 7, 2010, 5:02 AM
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a ten minute mile, are you kidding me?
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styndall
Jun 7, 2010, 5:39 AM
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I'm weak as hell on the bench press. I weight about 145, and I can press about 100. On the other hand, I can hold an L-hang on rings for a minute. It's really weird. I've never used rings before about two weeks ago.
They're awesome, and I wish I'd had them years before.
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I_do
Jun 7, 2010, 6:48 AM
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sp00ki wrote: Pretty sure this is the weightlifting equivalent of "with no training whatsoever, i was able to run an entire mile at a ten minute pace."
That's not impressive, is it?
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angry
Jun 7, 2010, 11:33 AM
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Prokofievian wrote: why do you say "I'm not recommending lifting weights for training for climbing"? Any specific reason? Cheers.
The goal of "training" is to actually improve at something. At most, weight training for climbing seems to work for certain specific injury prevention, it doesn't translate into harder climbing though.
Should I change the thread title to reflect the argument that's about to take place?
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bill413
Jun 7, 2010, 12:39 PM
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angry wrote: Prokofievian wrote: why do you say "I'm not recommending lifting weights for training for climbing"? Any specific reason? Cheers. The goal of "training" is to actually improve at something. At most, weight training for climbing seems to work for certain specific injury prevention, it doesn't translate into harder climbing though. Should I change the thread title to reflect the argument that's about to take place?
No, no, leave it as a surprise for the viewer. 
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Prokofievian
Jun 7, 2010, 5:14 PM
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Well, I'm not cruisin' for an argument. So if there's going to be one, then it'll be someone else that starts it.
I was just curious as to what your perspective on it was. I have a somewhat extensive background in weightlifting, and I'm new to climbing. So I'm kinda trying to see how they both can coexist in my training regime.
So thanks for your perspective.
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Prokofievian
Jun 7, 2010, 5:27 PM
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Ain't nothin' but a peanut!
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jhernand
Jun 7, 2010, 5:29 PM
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i see you are familiar with ol ronnie
aint nobody gonna lift these heavy ass weights!
nothin to it but to do it!
(This post was edited by jhernand on Jun 7, 2010, 5:31 PM)
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Prokofievian
Jun 7, 2010, 5:35 PM
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Dick. You stole the other good ronnie lines!
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jhernand
Jun 7, 2010, 5:38 PM
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you can just keep saying YEAH BUDDY! and be good for a long long time!
YEAHHHH BUDDY!!!!
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Prokofievian
Jun 7, 2010, 5:42 PM
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Yeaaaaahhh Budday! haha.
So I guess my real question is, how does yelling "Ain't no one gonna climb this hard-ass route!" translate to my progress as a fledgeling climber?
Irreplaceable?
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jhernand
Jun 7, 2010, 5:45 PM
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i think nothin to it but to do it translates better!
but aint no one gonna climb this hard ass route is good to.
Aint nothing but a 5.5!!!! yeah buddy!
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