Hips don't lie
Interesting to see the difference in opinion here. I can't help to notice everyone I climb with that boulders harder me has a stronger core (measured by terms of a front lever). This isn't through specific training so i tend to think that it must be a good thing. Also the ability to keep your feet on while stretched on a steep board must be something to do with core (especially the back)?
Pumping iron is cool and all, but body tension is mostly technique driven so not sure it would help much unless you are 8 ft tall or have the abs of a wet noodle.
Quote from: jwi on June 21, 2012, 08:14:59 amHips don't lie But when the hips come away from the wall, is it because the climber's technique went to pot relative to the climbing, or is it that the abs are simply not strong enough? In other words, is the problem that your abs are weak or that you asked them to do more than was necessary, or maybe stopped thinking about then altogether when you started struggling?If your problem is regularly falling off boulders that you attempted using demonstrably perfect beta with cramp in your abs or sides or quads, but feeling pretty good everywhere else ... you have isolated the culprit and you need some . A good core will never hurt you and a six pack can be handy when pulling burds at the beach ... but it won't make you a better climber unless its a real problem for you.
Front lever strength is to do with abs though and will help you get and keep your feet on if terrain is steep. If you can generate enough tension you can get the purchase to pull your arse in to the wall (with the lower back) to get some weight on yer feet, but mostly creating the tension in the first place is the problem, not pulling your torso in, which uses the tension created to your advantage rather than creating it in the first place.
Cheers for the feedback guys, good to see a few different opinions. I think I'm going to prioritise front lever,plank, push ups and leg raise training and hit it pretty hard for a good month, see if things change.
Quote from: b3n99 on June 21, 2012, 09:22:08 pmCheers for the feedback guys, good to see a few different opinions. I think I'm going to prioritise front lever,plank, push ups and leg raise training and hit it pretty hard for a good month, see if things change. I'm surprised after all the chat about the rear-chain strength (hamstrings, lower back, glutes) and its importance on steep ground, that you've chosen to select the 3 exercises that mainly target the abs and frontal core muscles?? Maybe ditch one of those and add in some deadlifts?
Right then all you deadlift/lower back aficionados, I don't have access to the gym, and don't want to pay money to get it since that could fund climbing trips. Any advice on how to target this area with bodyweight exercises?