any one here rock climb for strength training?

[runislife]

Me and a couple guys from the team alway go bouldering indoors and out and it is a great way to build up your upper body

[Turin Turambar]

I always thought it was a great idea, but I never got the chance to use it.

Turin Turambar

[runneronfire]

I rock climb a ton, but not for running, just because I like it. It probably does provide a lot of the upper body strength I need, and it also gives me a motivation to become more flexible. But seriously, bouldering isn't gonna build up your strength nearly as much as doing full 40 foot routes. Those routes just kill your arms. Its great. The sport is actually similar to running in a lot of ways.

[slowest kid on the team]

why would you want to build up your upper body for distance running

[j567p]

why would you want to build up your upper body for distance running

to punch people while running

[merun4fun]

why would you want to build up your upper body for distance running

maybe this is why you're the slowest kid on the team

[runislife]

I rock climb a ton, but not for running, just because I like it. It probably does provide a lot of the upper body strength I need, and it also gives me a motivation to become more flexible. But seriously, bouldering isn't gonna build up your strength nearly as much as doing full 40 foot routes. Those routes just kill your arms. Its great. The sport is actually similar to running in a lot of ways.


actually bouldering helps alot b/c its plain out tougher than top-ropping. there is more balence needed to boulder and plus we climb indoors the most where the problems are really hard and straining on the body

[SLCAdventurerunner]

Finally, something being discussed that I'm good at.

Before I ran I was a competitive Climber, broke my hand so my parents made me quit. I bouldered and lead-climbed almost daily.

As far as upper body goes, it's the best. You definitely don't bulk up but your abs, lats, forearms, arms and core get awesomely strong (That's not to mention your hands and such but I can't see any possible relevance to running in hand-strength). It also helps a lot with flexibility. When I climbed I could do the splits, and even now, stretching twice a day, I've not gotten even close to that level of flexibility.

The type of climbing one might do would depend on the results you're trying to achieve. Climbing lead or Top Roping would be best for overall strength. Allows for some endurance strength. Bouldering is more for explosive strength, and that would probably be more suited to a hurdler's training than a distance runner's.

On a side note, bouldering is in no way tougher than "top-roping". roping is Try taking a lesson and learning how to lead-climb. Lots of the time the routes set for actual climbers are lead only. Hunt down a good rock gym and climb a few 5.10s. It's way more intense than some 8 move bouldering problem.

Honestly, I have no clue what kind of overall benefits one might get from climbing in conjunction with running, but I can tell you this. You know you're a bada** when you can do one-armed pull-ups.

[runislife]

for anyone in SW Ohio that wants to try out climbing check out this site

www.ctoba.com