I have limited lower body strength and like no core or upper body strength but I want to try bouldering. Any tips? Likely just be willing to fall a lot before the muscle starts to build.
Hey, cheers to no upper body strength to speak of! When I started bouldering I was like that.
The biggest thing is - don’t get discouraged!
People who were previously involved in other sports, people who work out - in other words, people WITH body strength - are starting out with way more XP than you. That doesn’t mean that you can’t be as good as them, though - it just means it’ll take you longer to learn the basics.
There’s a way to move your body, to control your motion to conserve energy, to focus on specific muscle groups… all those things are learn-able, but they take time.
In the beginning, more so than falling, you might just get tired a lot. Or not be able to do some things that other people can. It can be frustrating, but you have to remember that ultimately, it’s all just muscle, and it’s all just a learned skill that you will eventually possess through perseverance!
That being said, the main muscle groups you use for bouldering may surprise you - it’s mostly your forearms and your core! You don’t need jacked biceps to boulder, and in fact, being bulky with muscle might actually slow you down.
BUT there IS a good way to be a smart beginner climber that requires no training whatsoever.
I won’t make this long, so here’s 3 basic tips to get you started:
#1: Visualize your route.
Whether you’re watching someone climb before you, or you just have a really good imagination - either way, don’t just jump on a route and go to town. Instead, sit back and try to imagine yourself climbing, and try to guess where you’ll put your hands and feet ahead of time. Pro climbers do this all the time! That’s why they all stand back, squint at the wall and do little claw-hands in the air.
#2: Hang with straight arms.
When you’re bouldering for the first time, a lot of people flex their arms and try to keep themselves pulled close to the wall, even when they’re just hanging there, thinking about what to do next. This is exhausting! Don’t do it. You don’t need to cling for dear life to stay up there - you just need to grip with your fingers, and relax the rest of your arm to hang out. Imagine that you’re a monkey! You can flex when you’re actually trying to get somewhere, but until then, relax and give your arms a break.
Beginner climbers often have no idea what to do with their feet, and don’t pay attention to them. Try to focus on your feet as you climb and keep them on holds that are wider than your shoulder width. It helps you balance and not sway sideways.
Hope that helps, and good luck!
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