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dynamic_climber
Jun 12, 2006, 3:28 AM
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Elvis legs, sewing machine legs, whatever you call them they're a bummer when climbing a hard route or problem. I'm sure just about all climbers get them at one time or another, and I'm just looking for anyone with advise one how to calm down these spasms. Right now I really don't even know if they're physical or mental problems. All i do know is that for me, it is not a fear of being high, and I only get them a tough routes! Even if there is nothing that I can do tell me.
somebody help me out here please!!
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weasel
Jun 12, 2006, 3:39 AM
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Well, with practice you can actually will yourself to stop shaking, but it's not easy. The best way to do it is just to let your calf muscle relax so your weight is on the joint and not the muscle. It'll shorten your stance quite a few inches, but you can relax there until you decide to make your next move.
Did that make sense? I can elaborate if need be.
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veganboyjosh
Jun 12, 2006, 3:44 AM
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In reply to: Well, with practice you can actually will yourself to stop shaking, but it's not easy. The best way to do it is just to let your calf muscle relax so your weight is on the joint and not the muscle. It'll shorten your stance quite a few inches, but you can relax there until you decide to make your next move. Did that make sense? I can elaborate if need be.
iow, drop your ankle below your heel...
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ter_bee
Jun 12, 2006, 3:46 AM
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i hate to be one of those annoying people who's always saying, "we've answered this question 3000 times, do a search," but well...
you COULD do a search. or just drop your heels.
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weasel
Jun 12, 2006, 3:49 AM
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In reply to: iow, drop your ankle below your heel...
Thank you. I knew there was an easier way of saying that. 8^)
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jabtocrag
Jun 12, 2006, 4:22 AM
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Whether it's mental or physical, focusing on your breathing can help.
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elvislegs
Jun 12, 2006, 4:23 AM
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i have no idea what you are talking about.
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billcoe_
Jun 12, 2006, 4:45 AM
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Elvis sighting! :lol:
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secretninja
Jun 12, 2006, 5:21 AM
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I find that keeping my electrolyte levels high and keeping hydrated helps stop the shakes. As well, cutting myself off after my sixth large Horton's coffee of the morning helps too. :D
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rockguide
Jun 12, 2006, 5:48 AM
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Deep fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches have stopped elvis legs. It takes a while.
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overlord
Jun 12, 2006, 8:54 AM
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depends on why you have the elvis leg.
if its physical (fatigues calves), then try droping your heel a bit.
if its psychological (youre scared), try to calm down. that sometimes happens to me when i almost fall. a few deep breaths and some talking to myself usually does the trick.
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bill413
Jun 12, 2006, 12:56 PM
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Try changing the music on your Ipod to something more modern?
Oh, yeah - I was taught to get more weight onto the shaking leg. This seems to help.
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scrapedape
Jun 12, 2006, 12:58 PM
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In reply to: iow, drop your ankle below your heel...
Dang, how do you do that? :shock:
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tradmanclimbs
Jun 12, 2006, 1:05 PM
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for the physical problem, make suer that you are well hydrated and not caffinated, pleanty of potasium. for the mental shakes you need to climb more so that those situations that scare you seem like routine everyday climbing 8^) then if you do get the shakes you really know that you are in deep poo :shock:
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overlord
Jun 12, 2006, 1:06 PM
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In reply to: In reply to: iow, drop your ankle below your heel... Dang, how do you do that? :shock:
the less painfull would be to flip upside-down, the more painfull involves some bone remodelling.
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arnoilgner
Jun 14, 2006, 1:34 AM
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Hi dynamic_climber
This is how I think it "shakes" out. You, as we all tend to do, experience the elvis shakes on hard routes because our body is retracting and wanting to escape the stress. The mind is mostly responsible for this. When we are stressed we try to control the stress. Much of this tendency is very unconscious. Our mind revolts to the stress by creating all sorts of thoughts about not being able to continue. Our body revolts by contracting--rising up on our toes, overgripping, holding our breath, etc. This contracting is a defensive behavior. When we are in the middle of some hard climbing we need to be moving forward (open, receptive, relaxed, and focusing forward) not retracting and being defensive.
To counter this simply do the opposite--lower your heels, loosen your grip, breathe...
arno
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arnoilgner
Jun 14, 2006, 1:52 AM
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Hi dynamic_climber
This is how I think it "shakes" out. You, as we all tend to do, experience the elvis shakes on hard routes because our body is retracting and wanting to escape the stress. The mind is mostly responsible for this. When we are stressed we try to control the stress. Much of this tendency is very unconscious. Our mind revolts to the stress by creating all sorts of thoughts about not being able to continue. Our body revolts by contracting--rising up on our toes, overgripping, holding our breath, etc. This contracting is a defensive behavior. When we are in the middle of some hard climbing we need to be moving forward (open, receptive, relaxed, and focusing forward) not retracting and being defensive.
To counter this simply do the opposite--lower your heels, loosen your grip, breathe...
arno
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tradmanclimbs
Jun 14, 2006, 2:07 AM
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What arno is saying with all of that is that you are scared. If you attack your oponents attack you stand a much better chance of survival than if you freeze and shake like a rabbit waiteing to be eaten. What the warrior often forgets though is that running away may be an even better way of staying alive :D
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weasel
Jun 14, 2006, 3:07 AM
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In reply to: depends on why you have the elvis leg. if its physical (fatigues calves), then try droping your heel a bit. if its psychological (youre scared), try to calm down. that sometimes happens to me when i almost fall. a few deep breaths and some talking to myself usually does the trick.
However, if you're being possessed by a rock star from the 60s, you may have a deeper problem.
But seriously, drop your ankle below your toes and rest there till you need to make a move.
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_fiend_
Jul 12, 2006, 7:05 PM
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On a practical physical note:
Deep slow breaths
Keep switching your feet / leg positions
Rest in your heels if you can
Shake out your legs
Do leg / calf strengthening exercises AND regular stretching
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flipnfall
Jul 12, 2006, 7:18 PM
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I'm convinced that the Elvis-Leg affect you are talking about is nerves. Here's my reasoning:
(1) When I first began climbing, this occured only when I was scared.
(2) Many people who are in excellent fitness get Elvis Legs. It doesn't seem directly related to fitness.
(3) I've never seen someone bouldering getting Elvis Legs. Bouldering can fatigue you just as much as longer routes, so the absence of Elvis Legs seems to be nerves and not fatigue.
(4) I've had seasons of getting out of shape and then back into shape. Everytime I've climbed out of shape I haven't gotten Elvis Legs. I think this is because I've mentally matured and don't get that scared anymore.
I know much of this is subjective evidence, but I think it's true about Elvis Legs. Just keep climbing and it will go away.
GT
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curtis_g
Jul 12, 2006, 7:38 PM
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it used to happen when I was scared.
just don't think about what's going to happen if you happen to fall
so what I do is think about th next move, ignore the leg and concentrate on where you're going next. concentration on the next move and concentration on the progress on the climb always shakes my shakes.
also, when it happens to me and I can't exactly keep moving or I start haking when I'm trying to milk a rest...concentrate on keeping that leg solid, like when you get the fast shakes on a slackline. drop the heel if you can and also try bracing your knee against the wall.
hey, I know, practice some slacklining!
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onyx
Jul 12, 2006, 7:38 PM
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In reply to: Deep fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches have stopped elvis legs. It takes a while.
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
That's great.
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mattb
Nov 19, 2006, 1:11 AM
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As a matter of fact, I get the Elvis legs when I climb no matter what the situation is. This also includes bouldering 4 feet off the ground but mostly on crimpy traverses. Out of all of the people I climb with,
I experience the jittery legs the most, and I also experience it in my arms too! For me, its most likely a caffeine problem; however, I feel it has more to do with my state of hydration and electrolyte balance. Several physical sypmtoms coincide with the Elvis legs: Cold feet, hands, and extremeties, etc. Again its most likely a combination of too much caffeine, not enough breathing, not sufficiently warmed up, overgripping the holds, and keeping my hips in too close to the wall.
(This post was edited by mattb on Nov 19, 2006, 1:13 AM)
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deadhorse
May 20, 2007, 7:42 AM
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yeah bro you should eat a protein shake (w/ choc milk) and a banana, it'll help you worlds.
I was doing a freesolo two days ago and int he crux move i started to get rreal scared i was gonna fall. I have elvis all over me. Most terrified i have ever been, not just climbing.
For me it was mental techniques lacking
you - - bananan + protein
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