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seis66
Aug 12, 2009, 11:12 PM
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Hey everyone,
I try to look for similar threads with no results. Basically, I'm 28 years old, 6' (1.80mts), 230lbs (100kgs) and I've been thinking on starting to climb. Perhaps even taking some lessons in a indoor wall close to my place.
I'm a little bit worried that my weight could affect me physically while doing this sport. What are your thoughts?
Thanks so much!
Walter
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VanIsle
Aug 12, 2009, 11:31 PM
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Climb on, dude. It's your path. Climbing can take you to a healthier place. There are no negatives about learning to climb with a few extra pounds, other than the need to take it easy to start. (consult your doctor if you're unsure) The strength you gain can be yours forever.
There are no perfect body sizes in climbing. Google "John Dunne" for an example of a person who might inspire you. He's a big dude.
VI
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nextclimb
Aug 13, 2009, 12:03 AM
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I climb with a guy who is 5'5" and 230lbs. Star slow, focus on technique. On off days work on your antagonistic muscles and cardio.
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jaablink
Aug 13, 2009, 12:06 AM
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I have a friend , 200 @ 5’10 . He can climb in the 12 range. You should do what makes you happy.
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foodgeek
Aug 13, 2009, 12:10 AM
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I started climbing at a climbing gym at 6' and 225lbs, in the first six months I lost 30 pounds... Don't worry about your weight, if you're a bit heavy when you start climbing that will fix itself.
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zchandran
Aug 13, 2009, 3:02 PM
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I started at almost exactly your height and weight, though I dropped 35lbs in the first 8 months I climbed.
The only thing I would add is take extra precautions with your tendons. Your tendon strength/weight ratio is more than likely less than another beginner who weighs 120lbs. So stay clear of crimps and small pockets until you've been climbing at least 6 months or so. That's not a problem in the gym since holds are generally matched well to route grade but outside it's easy to get carried away after you've been climbing a month or two.
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xtrmecat
Aug 13, 2009, 3:41 PM
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I was 269 in March of this year, I have over a decade of being over 250 and 6 foot tall climbing in the upper moderates range.
Several things that the extra weight was good for. I learned how to climb on my feet, Granted, it take a good amount of upper body strength to climb being this size, getting the feet on, and becoming proficient with their use was key to being successfull at the over beginner grades.
Also it was great training weight. Once it went down some, the strength did not go with it. I can crank some pretty hard moves now, that would take my partner some working at for a while to make the same move.
The next key thing to state is it made my hands uber strong. I am talking finger tendons of aircraft grade sinew. Both good, strong as hell, and bad, the other parts of my body paid for this. I tore the hell out of my shoulder at work, as my work involve cranking and torquing over my head while lying down or in other out the norm positions. I developed a very strong core, but lacked the flexibiblity to finess, just too strong for my or my employers good. Tore up elbows, wrists, and shoulders.
Now I am 215 and losing around 2 pounds a week. this summer has yielded over a whole number grade in improvements in my climbing. Training weight most certainly affected this, but many years of learning to climb on the feet, getting strength beyond normal peoples hands and tendons, and then getting light and flexible beyond my biggest hopes, all of a sudden I can climb way harder, way longer, and those impossible moves became not only possible, but not really that hard.
I say go for it, but be warned about the joints. There are limits to the human body. But I have never been sorry to take up climbing, even being a big guy. Now with the decrease in weight I am flexible as all get out, more energetic, and can walk on all those dime edges that used to be better smears before, and can rest on stuff now that used to be my cruxes. So use your weight to your advantage, but remember to think of your weight if you go trad or aid like I did. I makes a huge difference on what a guy can or cannot get away with concerning gear and placements A3 for me was probably closer to a4+ than I would care to admit. I am sure that ripping a couple placements I've been on in the past would have been almost an entire pitch of torn out nuts, heads, tipped out cams, and peckers.
Also, plan on shoes wearing out way faster than your buddies, as they most certainly do.
Just my two cents.
Bob
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seis66
Aug 13, 2009, 9:26 PM
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Thanks zchandran and all of you guys for the encouraging words. I've been having this really strange dream that I climb up a wall, and since that moment I haven't been able to take climbing out of my head....
I'm joining a climbing gym this saturday.I'll post my impresssions after my first lesson :)
Thanks so much!
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shimanilami
Aug 13, 2009, 10:48 PM
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Climbers come in all shapes, sizes, cultures, continents, etc. etc. etc. When I consider all the people I've climbed with, all the posters at RC.com, all the people I've read about in books and magazines, the one and only thing I can say we all have in common is that we love to climb.
It doesn't matter who you are, or what/where/why you climb. If you love to climb, you will always be welcomed by this community.
Welcome to the club!
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NoMoCouch
Aug 13, 2009, 11:11 PM
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I'm 40, 5.11 and started climbing at 250lbs a year ago. I can redpoint 5.8's and sometimes 5.9's and now weigh 230lbs.
START NOW, get off your ass, like I did, and watch what you eat. You'll feel great in a few months and will be stronger than if you wait for the pounds to come off.
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chopperjohn
Aug 15, 2009, 9:06 PM
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Six foot 240.If If I am motivated mid 10's otherwise anything below. Being a fat ass has its pros n cons. Pro- you don't look like a skinny sissy climber con- you run into a lot of spinners at indoor gyms. Stay a fat ass and be proud and go to the buffet and feed yourself.
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linkon654
Aug 17, 2009, 6:49 PM
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I am 215 and losing around 2 pounds a week. this summer has yielded over a whole number grade in improvements in my climbing. Training weight most certainly affected this, but many years of learning to climb on the feet, getting strength beyond normal peoples hands and tendons, and then getting light and flexible beyond my biggest hopes, all of a sudden I can climb way harder, way longer, and those impossible moves became not only possible, but not really that hard.
[url=http://productreviewsby.me/acai-berry/] Acai Berry
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bsyed
Aug 18, 2009, 2:10 PM
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Its a matter of passion.
when i started i weoghed 95 KILOGRAMS and was
ONLY 5.8 (mega BMI)!!!
i lost 25 KG from climbing, not slely but cos it gave me the passion to work out, and excel in what i was doing, i guess it helped i was the only climber in my school at the time, but passion drives you forward.
i ended up starting a climbing program in my school and started other sports clubs and activities, it's given me confidence.
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dingus
Aug 18, 2009, 2:13 PM
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shimanilami wrote: Climbers come in all shapes, sizes, cultures, continents, etc. etc. etc. When I consider all the people I've climbed with, all the posters at RC.com, all the people I've read about in books and magazines, the one and only thing I can say we all have in common is that we love to climb. It doesn't matter who you are, or what/where/why you climb. If you love to climb, you will always be welcomed by this community. Welcome to the club!
Nice post Shimi.
DMT
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AntinJ
Aug 19, 2009, 2:28 AM
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Walter -
Definitely start cranking! I'm 26 and I've been climbing for a year. When I started I was about 5'10" and in the 245lbs range…I'm a bit lighter now, but the weight really hasn't been an issue for me. Have fun and let us know how it goes!
-J
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Datadep5
Aug 19, 2009, 5:37 AM
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I'm 6'1" 330lbs and have been climbing for close to a year now. The idea to take things slower is something I know I should have listened to, but I didn't and paid for it.
Get out there and have some fun.
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dingus
Aug 19, 2009, 2:10 PM
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Some specific things...
gyms will tend to lead climbers toward over hanging jug hauls followed by overhanging crimpfests.
The jug hauls are fun, the crimp fests will destroy your hands and elbows. Weight is the issue. Stay away from over hanging crimp routes till you lose weight.
Fat people who want to climb need to work one specific muscle group - calves, ankles, feet. If you go to a traditional gym do those weighted toe extensions where you stand up on your toes? Do those until you have calves of steel. This will make all the difference in the world.
DMT
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Datadep5
Aug 19, 2009, 2:34 PM
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Over hangs are a lot of fun, though they can really tear at your hands and elbows as you've mentioned.
Calves of steel you say? Football way back in highschool was kind to me for those now.
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rendog
Aug 20, 2009, 3:39 AM
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Hey Walter
let me put it this way if my frined T can learn to climb (she was 5'4 and 225#) you can get out there.
Just follow one simple rule:
if it doesn't feel good and starts to hurt bad (past normal muscle fatigue and pain)... stop
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kiwiprincess
Aug 20, 2009, 4:05 AM
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Go for it. If you like it you'll be lighter by the time you have enough skill and technique to be advancing. It'll be no harder than any other sport.
Besides it's not that heavy if you're tall
However
I once saw a BIG (120kg+) guy climbing on Rp's and he ripped the lot and landed hard on his ass, he had been climbing long enough to know better though.
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bsyed
Aug 21, 2009, 11:31 AM
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In reply to: I'm 6'1" 330lbs and have been climbing for close to a year now. The idea to take things slower is something I know I should have listened to, but I didn't and paid for it. Get out there and have some fun.
Seriously?!?!
Thats quite amazing!
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mlk1cds
Aug 25, 2009, 7:56 PM
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When I started climbing i weighed 254 lbs and am 6'3. It is deffinately more difficult to climb heavy than thin but not impossible. I continued to climb as I lost my weight. after 8 months i was down to 195lbs. Dont put off climbing until you lose the weight, start climbing asap. I have read that you can burn 1500 calories in 1 hour of climbing. It is a great suppliment to an excercise routine. It is getting to be fall again. There is nothing more relaxing or just out right fun than climbing during the fall.
If you are looking for a good book on training for climbing, here is a link to one. This books has everything you need to know regarding training.
http://24ffaivgf0gl7n9d51uhq8jdkg.hop.clickbank.net/?tid=LMY2ZQKS
I hope this helps
oh and if you are looking to educate yourself on climbing all together
http://8d13f7nc8ajp2q3hpbv8u40z6z.hop.clickbank.net/?tid=LMY2ZQKS
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grampacharlie
Sep 3, 2009, 8:20 PM
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zchandran wrote: I started at almost exactly your height and weight, though I dropped 35lbs in the first 8 months I climbed. The only thing I would add is take extra precautions with your tendons. Your tendon strength/weight ratio is more than likely less than another beginner who weighs 120lbs. So stay clear of crimps and small pockets until you've been climbing at least 6 months or so. That's not a problem in the gym since holds are generally matched well to route grade but outside it's easy to get carried away after you've been climbing a month or two.
Listen to this guy! ^
I would add this: focus on footwork and flexibility. I know a few people who look overweight but climb hard. Part of it is that they have a ton of muscle that you can't readily see. Part of it is that they have ridiculous technique and can put their weight over their feet to take the strain off their arms.
Starting out slow will allow you tendons to strengthen up over time, staying flexible will insure their health and that of you're joints, and footwork is something everyone needs though few start with.
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DaveEscobar
Dec 16, 2009, 4:43 AM
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This is all great help. I noticed a problem I have is that extra body fat makes me less flexible. I can't always get my foot to certain positions.
What is a good way to become more flexible for more climbing? I have the strength to lift my body weight.
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LoneWolf1986
Dec 16, 2009, 4:55 AM
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DaveEscobar wrote: This is all great help. I noticed a problem I have is that extra body fat makes me less flexible. I can't always get my foot to certain positions. What is a good way to become more flexible for more climbing? I have the strength to lift my body weight.
Stretch before you climb. Take a good 10-15 minutes and make sure you're loose. It will also help you warm up by getting your blood flowing to your muscles and release endorphins. If you stretch before every climb, you will gain flexibility and it will help prevent injury as well.
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