DouglasHunter wrote:
Juzzyclimb wrote:
Hey there.
I've decided I want to utilise bodyweight training to help with my climbing and I've picked out a few exercises:
-Pull-ups
-Push-ups
-Sit-ups
-Handstand push-ups
-Body weight squats (eventually one legged)
-Finger hangs
Are these appropriate for climbing? Are there others I SHOULD be doing?
I'm having trouble with deciding how often I should perform them and how many reps and sets to use. Any help regarding this would be a massive help.
Bit of background info:
-23 years
-6ft 3inches
-77kgs (170lbs)
-Climbing for two months.
Cheers.
If you want to do these activities because you find them rewarding that's fine, but you should not be doing them and expecting any impact on your climbing. Even something like finger hands which can be helpful probably won't in your case because you just don't have any movement experience.
At all levels of climbing the top priority is to get a high volume of high quality movement practice. This is all the more the case for the novice climber who knows none of the movement patterns involved in climbing. Your priorities should be:
1- Learn to make high quality contact with the rock or wall. this means quickly identifying hand and foot holds and the ability to establish good quality contact with the holds. The silent feet and glue hands activities are helpful here.
2- Learn the fundamental movement patterns found in climbing, turning, initiating movement from the lower body, how to move with straight arms (not a goal in itself but a good way to learn other skills)
3- Each day you climb either out doors or at the gym climb at a level at which you are comfortable. If the hardest climb you can do is 5.9 then you should be doing a high volume of 5.6 - 5.8 but if you find yourself struggling or just pulling yourself up the wall, just stop and get on something easier.
high volume of high quality practice should be every climbers mantra.
Anyway glad that you are psyched to climb but keep your focus on what will actually make you a climber. Good Luck.