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deforce
Nov 27, 2012, 8:29 AM
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Hello,
I have a dream of climbing on mountains one day, like the stuff you see on youtube. I think it would be so cool to escape all of this, and be on top of a mountain.
I've been climbing lots. But one problem I find all the time is that I tire out too quickly, fingers just give up. And I can't do onehanded routes because there's simply not enough strength backing me up.
I'm 6'1, I weigh 220, I've been bodybuilding for 3 years, and I believe I'd be at 175 if I were to cut off all the fat - I'd be ripped simply.
Would I still weigh too much? It feels like my bodybuilding muscles will keep me off the wall, because they require too much oxygen and stuff, making it hard to endure the walls.
Feels really weird aswell to lose all that muscle you worked so hard for to gain.
What do you think?
Thanks in advance!
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iknowfear
Nov 27, 2012, 2:09 PM
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deforce wrote: Hello, I have a dream of climbing on mountains one day, like the stuff you see on youtube. I think it would be so cool to escape all of this, and be on top of a mountain. I've been climbing lots. But one problem I find all the time is that I tire out too quickly, fingers just give up. And I can't do onehanded routes because there's simply not enough strength backing me up. I'm 6'1, I weigh 220, I've been bodybuilding for 3 years, and I believe I'd be at 175 if I were to cut off all the fat - I'd be ripped simply. Would I still weigh too much? It feels like my bodybuilding muscles will keep me off the wall, because they require too much oxygen and stuff, making it hard to endure the walls. Feels really weird aswell to lose all that muscle you worked so hard for to gain. What do you think? Thanks in advance!
In short: no, you are not too bulky (loosing weight rarely hurts climbing). You most likely lack technique, and thus power through every move. And as a bodybuilder, you most definitely do not lack strength.
Unless you climb 8a(5.13) and above, there is rarely a need for a "onehanded" moves. Same goes for overhangs: if you work a climbing route like you work iron, you wont last.
Try to observe a good climber on the routes you struggle on. where are his/her feet? When does she move? How long are the arms flexed, and how long are the arms streched? How many foot movements does she/he do to move one arm? Do you ever hear the feet of a good climber climbing?
and regarding to loose bodybuliding-muscle: do you dream of climbing mountains or pumping Iron?
cheers
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bearbreeder
Nov 27, 2012, 2:28 PM
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overweight people climb moderate routes up mountains all the time ...
climb with your feet, use your legs, and climb outside as much as possible
rarely are there anythin routes more than vertical up moderate mountain routes, and most much less so
for moderate grades you can have big muscles to attract the girls and still climb well ... 
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deforce
Nov 27, 2012, 2:35 PM
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In reply to: Thanks for the responses, it seems like I'll keep my muscles then. I figured I only saw pretty skinny people in the climbing gym, rarely anyone that's a bit chubby/muscular. I thought that with my muscles I would tire quickly due to it causing me to gass earlier. But I believe It's all a technique issue =) I have been boxing some when I was a bit younger, they told me that with big muscles you tire quickly, so I shouldnt be spending time in the gym trying to build bigger arms, cuz I'd be tired quickly simply, so figured It would be the same thing here. Glad it isnt quite the same! And to climb or bodybuild - Bodybuilding has become boring, but its still an obsession cuz you dont wanna lose what you been working so hard for, so id rather lose it in order to climb...! Going to try to keep my diet, but more climb less gym, see what happens :) Thanks for the responses! |
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mikebee
Nov 27, 2012, 11:50 PM
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If you want to take up moutnaineering, then cardio fitness is more relevant than being strong or climbing super high grades (especially early on when you're not doing steep stuff) .
You need to know how to climb, but I always thing that the most useful training I do for the hills is walking or running up hills, often with a pack.
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styndall
Nov 28, 2012, 12:24 AM
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If you can cut your weight to 175, you should do so. Extra weight is really costly when you're climbing.
I'm your height, and I start feeling pretty heavy if I get above 155 pounds.
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shotwell
Nov 28, 2012, 1:42 AM
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styndall wrote: If you can cut your weight to 175, you should do so. Extra weight is really costly when you're climbing. I'm your height, and I start feeling pretty heavy if I get above 155 pounds.
6'1" and below 155? You must be a stick. How much does it actually help your climbing to be that light? Have you climbed at any other weight?
I'm still debating the merits of losing 10 to 20 pounds. I've been lighter than I currently climb at (6 feet and 180 to 185 lbs), but counterintuitively found myself more prone to injury. I'm climbing the same grade as I was at 165 now that I've recovered fully from a shoulder injury.
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shockabuku
Nov 28, 2012, 4:16 AM
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At 6'1", 175 you'd be able to climb fine. I'm 5'9", 180 and I can climb moderately well. However, if you want to be a mountain climber, which often involves little, if any, rock climbing, start walking - that's what most of it is.
You can also climb at 220 but it will be much more difficult.
What's a one handed route?
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climber511
Nov 28, 2012, 5:00 PM
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I'm 6' 2" tall - 205# - 64 years old - been lifting weights for 53 years now (and climbing 29) and still climb 5.9 - 5.10 - and I'm a weekender at best. Change your weight room training from "bodybuilder" workouts to more of a strength bias and simply practice climbing a lot more. If climbing is more of a goal to you than the lifting - then certainly losing some weight will help. If your BF levels are higher than you want - you should lose the weight anyway. Going to 160# or something at your height is really only for those people for whom climbing is their "thing" and probably have always been that thin anyway. Now if you want to do a mountain which is mostly hiking - you need to look at things differently again still.
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Geekstar
Nov 30, 2012, 6:03 AM
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You are my favorite kind of guy to school on overhung routes! I am a curvy and soft 5'4" One of the gyms here has three 45 degree roofs and this poor beautiful muscular dude was falling off of it; when he was taking a break from working it I ran up it :)
Watch the climbers who can do what you can't, and then talk to them about it. One climbing date with a crazy awesome climber at the gym taught me how to use my body better and I went from being totally unable to pull roofs to being able to do them fairly well without changing my body at all.
Work on your technique first!
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kikitastrophe
Nov 30, 2012, 1:19 PM
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I often climb with a guy who is 6'7" or something and 270 lbs. He climbs moderates just fine.
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