(danger anecdote ahoy! this comes from someone who has done rings in the past, i don't think they benefited me much at all, far less than climbing steep stuff or going on a fingerboard. even then this is questionable benefit as I would improve more from time on rock)
The best training for climbing is.....
Quote from: tomtom on November 15, 2012, 10:48:29 amThe best training for climbing is.....To be found here
I haven't heard of many (any?) strong climbers training on gymnastic rings.
I could barely hold static L-sits etc. on the rings.
Quote from: Paul B on November 15, 2012, 11:01:51 amI could barely hold static L-sits etc. on the rings.Much to our combined amusement eh Salty? Burnt off by the Barrett
I think Barrows is incredibly talking sense.
Joking aside I (partially) agree. I'm not wholly convinced by the benefits of powerlifting (or weights in general) for climbing. For me personally, rings really helped sort out my shoulders at the time (they were a ticking time bomb of instability), I also think they helped a lot with my core although I did start doing them mainly as I was getting bored of the board(s). However, this is purely anecdotal and Mason, who I was doing ring sessions with at the time went on to dislocate his shoulder not long after.
In general, weight training is not really the most efficient form of training for the vast majority of climbers. Nearly all climbers need to climb more. So they should spend any spare time they have for training just doing the climbing related stu. Weight training is a powerful but rather blunt instrument, even when done correctly. For climbers who have other things in their lives besides climbing (so their time for training is limited), some other form of real climbing is always a more ecient way to make gains. It's possible to target specifc muscle groups or areas of weakness in climbing in just the same way as weight training, but still be learning technique and tactics at the same time. Time spent pumping iron is time not learning any climbing skills.