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hurdles
Sep 6, 2004, 1:02 AM
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Just wondering what body type you have, and how it affects your climbing.
I am tall and lean, and I have less trouble with long moves and long routes than my shorter friends, although their bodies are more powerful when it comes to bouldering, dynamic moves, or steep surfaces.
and you?
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mesomorf
Sep 6, 2004, 1:25 AM
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Ha! I didn't choose my username randomly. I'm average height, negative 1/4 inch ape index. I'm in my late 40s and 25+ pounds overweight. Guess what? I have trouble with overhanging rock and with stamina.
I'm really lucky I'm not just starting out. If it wasn't for many years of learning technique that I have accumulated, I wouldn't be able to climb 5.7.
If I can get weight on my feet, I'm OK unless it gets real sustained. Well, just a little sustained. I'm pretty fair at reading the rock, knowing where pro will or won't be, and staying cool-headed.
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bonads
Sep 6, 2004, 1:32 AM
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I'm 5'11'' and about 155lbs. I've only been climbing a year, but i'm pretty sure i'm better at more powerful and dynamic moves, rather than long and sustained moves and climbs.
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bad_lil_kitty
Sep 6, 2004, 1:52 AM
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5'3, approx 115 - although I am Asian, I tend to have an atheletic body type (brought up on an American diet) w/out lookn' stocky.
I just started to climb (indoor for now) again. I tried my hands out at bouldering and lol I sucked - but I'll keep at it for now only to get better.
I find that on the walls I am able to pivot easier and push off from my legs ...
ahhh could I say, "I" once more ;)
*me----freakn'----ow*
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canrocker
Sep 6, 2004, 2:16 AM
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I'm 6'4", my weight fluctuates from 165-175. I don't find there's a whole lot of disadvantage to my size, other than the occasional tiny hold. I work out to gain more power and such.
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petsfed
Sep 6, 2004, 2:29 AM
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I'm tall and skinny, but with very long legs. Its to my disadvantage when I do sit-start boulder problems. Otherwise, I make up for my body by 1) good core strength and 2) good flexibility. And I like to think I have pretty good technique. I probably don't, but I can imagine my legend can't I?
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no-brakes
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Sep 6, 2004, 3:41 AM
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I'm short and fat and can't climb worth jack... :shock:
Mostly kidding. 5'10", weight somewhere in the 180's and have ape-index envy. When I started climbing I weighed in at about 200+ and found out fast enough that form was going to play a much greater part in my climbing than my strength/mass. After developing tendonitis pulling on too many roof problems, I had to re-think my strategy, let myself heal and drop some of the weight. It's taken a while, but am finding huge advantages climbing at 185 than at 200lbs.
Also came across this bit of literature by Eric Horst. Lots of detail about body types, training techniques, diet, etc. Pretty good read for everyone, but especially those of us without the natural advantage some climbers have.
http://www.trainingforclimbing.com/...2/tfc-overview.shtml
Word is bond.
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musicman
Sep 6, 2004, 4:08 AM
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5'10 and 130 lbs, my main problem (other than technique :oops: ) is flexibility, it kills me every time, i should really start streching more
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euleto
Sep 6, 2004, 4:45 AM
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I'm 6'1" about 150, long fingers, which are a blessing and a curse together.
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riptile
Sep 6, 2004, 4:53 AM
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Hgt: 5'7"
Wgt: 145-150 lb
Reach: Definately not longer than my height which stinks.
Built like a fit person. My friends say I'm ripped.
Pro: I've developed a lot of forearm, back, & contact strength since I started to climb.
Con: I can be strong like bull, but man I've got bad technique. I'm learning though.
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kachoong
Sep 6, 2004, 5:03 AM
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In reply to: I'm 6'1" about 150, long fingers, which are a blessing and a curse together. In reply to: 5'10 and 130 lbs In reply to: I'm 6'4", my weight fluctuates from 165-175 In reply to: I'm 5'11'' and about 155lbs
You guys are lucky to be so light.... I've had trouble shedding 5kg (11lbs) just so my fingers stop complaining on overhangs and I can attempt bum start problems in the gym, rather than grovel around on the ground.... I can at least identify with:
In reply to: 5'10", weight somewhere in the 180's |
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climbinginchico
Sep 6, 2004, 5:22 AM
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I am 5'10" and 150 or so. I am stronger than most people my weight, and have good finger strength. Ape index: +2" I believe. Not the longest at reaches, I find I can do long moves more static than people taller than me because of balance and core strength. I am one of those who is skinny and cut, but I don't look muscular until I flex or start climbing.
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mr_gondola
Sep 6, 2004, 5:54 AM
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I'm 5' 9", 175 lbs, really stocky build from lifiting and such. The added muscle weight probably hurts me, but I'm able to climb moderate junk fairly well. Core strength is probably my best strength...I'm pretty sure i have a negative index, am average height, and don't have exceptional finger tendon strength...so whatever, stupid tall people... :x
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rocknut
Sep 6, 2004, 6:09 AM
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I'm short & built... a bit taller than Gimli but fit the role pretty well. my main problem is reaching the next flipping hold!!! you know, I think ratings should be relative to the height of the climber :lol:
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mkjwngoat
Sep 6, 2004, 7:06 AM
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Lets see 6'1". 185lbs, evenish index. I'm not really built or flabby, skinny or stout. My advantages are flexability, my dissadvanges are everything else.
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overlord
Sep 6, 2004, 7:10 AM
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i am medium built, though right now slightly overweight (you know, beer and stuff, kida lost my sixpack)
anyway, im 177cm tall and have about 70-73kg.
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tyify
Sep 6, 2004, 7:13 AM
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I'm 5'10" and 120 pounds...In other words I have best of both worlds when it comes to climbing. I also have VERY long arms so can make very long reaches. I'm pretty flexible for a guy so that helps me a lot. I have a hard time with problems that make me compact into a short space. I can outclimb a lot of my friends who are built like trees simply because I don't have to haul around all that extra weight.
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nmoroder
Sep 6, 2004, 7:22 AM
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5' 8" and 147 pounds. Last year, my body fat was measured at 3.7%. I diet changes a lot and I never gain or loose more than a couple pounds. Somehow I was gifted with some great upper body strength. I am not a very good climber yet. I need to work on finger strength...big time.
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phillygoat
Sep 6, 2004, 11:19 AM
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Lovable, teddy bear-type- perhaps even 'plus-sized'. I enjoy backpacking, long walks on the beach at sunset and meaningful conversation. Maybe a little too flabby to send really hard projects, but damnit, I like myself just the way I am.
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asher84
Sep 6, 2004, 3:44 PM
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Well, besides being pretty new to climbing, I'm 5'5", 140 lbs., which seems to be a pretty decent size, works well for me. Yoga helps a TON, the first time I went, I was stuck, and my friend yelled - "just think yoga!" and it made everything that much easier. I'm also going to start going to a gym hopefully a couple times a week which I'm sure will help.
I also think I may be the only - if not one of few, girls who have posted so far..?
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watertorocks
Sep 6, 2004, 3:54 PM
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So, How about this one? I'm 6'1 260 lbs. I'm pretty strong (former collegiate rugby player) and find I can power up many climbs, but am a little short in the finness category.
Any other big guys out there that have some advice for a noobie?
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dutyje
Sep 6, 2004, 4:59 PM
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I'm 5'9" 180 lbs. Watertorocks - I have 2 bits of advice. First, weight is only a factor if you convince yourself that it's the reason you can't make the move. Honestly, if there's a route you can't do and you blame it on your weight, I promise I can find somebody fatter that will make it look easy.
The second piece of advice is that having extra weight to lug up the wall is a wonderful excuse that you should pull out all the time :)
Seriously, though, I can't count the number of times I've barely finished a route or didn't quite get it, saying "I'm just not strong enough for that" or "I can't pull my fat self up there" or "that move is just all arms." Always (yes, always), I find out later that the move can be made simply with better focus and balance, and not a bit more strength.
Climbing is less about the state of your body than the state of your mind.
At least up to 5.9, anyway. After that, I think you are required to have super-human physical traits ;)
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fivetendude
Sep 6, 2004, 5:01 PM
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WOW, 6'1'' 260lbs. ???
I thought I was bad at 6'1'' about 205lbs.
I'm fairly strong but I don't have big hands or fingers so I'd definately be a lot stronger if I was only hauling about 185-190 up the walls. I too am having a little trouble dropping the weight, and it's all diet. I got back from living in Japan about 7 years ago and I weighed 175 and it wasn't from lack of drinking beer. I even did an ironman at about the same weight I am now and I was working out twice a day most days. Although I was living out of a hotel and eating out 3 times a day which didn't help. Anyways the goal over the winter is to get down to about 185-190 and stay there.
My advice would be to drop some weight, you are probably pretty strong but most climbing is technique and stamina so being lighter should only make you better.
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dlintz
Sep 6, 2004, 5:18 PM
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5'10", 170 lbs., +2 ape index (never knew until now, I'm at work and very bored). Flexibility is my biggest limitation especially in my shoulders, crossover moves just shut me down.
d.
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joshb0ys
Sep 6, 2004, 5:24 PM
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I am 5'10" 156 pounds. I spend five days a week in the weight room, and climb about an equal number of days. My advantages are strong upper body for moves that require upward motion and no foot holds. My major disadvantages are that I regularly try to compensate lack of technique with strength.
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