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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think it's ok that I can't do a single pull up?!?

35 replies

NotQuiteCockney · 25/06/2008 08:52

I took a friend rock climbing yesterday. Turns out that years of trapeze work make you very strong, and ideally set up for rock climbing. She had a great time, and I'm happy to know I've probably got a new climbing partner.

But she was a bit that I can't do a single pull up. She does them one-handed!

OP posts:
Saggarmakersbottomknocker · 25/06/2008 09:08

I can't either NQC - I have zero upper body strength. You must do most of the work rock climbing with your legs.

I can't do more than a couple of 'proper' press ups either.

OverMyDeadBody · 25/06/2008 09:14

one-handed !! wow

I can't do that, but I can do plenty of normal pull-ups, with both hands facing either way.

I have some climbing buddies that can do a one-armed pull up, but it doesn't necessarily make them better climbers.

All my strength is in my fingers, so I can use tiny holds that they can't. I bet you have a lot of finger strength. Being able to do a pull up isn't actually necessary to be a good climber is it, a lot os just about technique and knowing how to balance your body.

OverMyDeadBody · 25/06/2008 09:18

and forgot to say, of course it's ok that you can't do one!

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 25/06/2008 10:36

Oh, I'm not that experienced a climber, just got into it a month or two ago. I do climb a lot at the moment (as much as 3x per week), but I'm not very good, yet.

I'd like to be able to do pull-ups, but I'll need to have stronger arms and/or a lighter body!

I spotted you on the 'how much exercise do you do' thread - were you always sporty? I've come to it late in life.

OP posts:
OverMyDeadBody · 25/06/2008 11:10

no, not always sporty, started in sixth form really, to get into it. Took up climbing at uni and have been doing it for nine years now!

I also built up strong shoulders from swimming loads.

I have a chin-up bar, when i first got it I could only do two max, but I kept trying every day, and slowly I could do more and more. Now if I've been training a lot I can do maybe 15-20, but when I haven't (like now , I can only manage 5 or 6 comfortably.

With climbing, it is just as important to have good technique as to have strength, and strength alone will not make you a good climber.

Where do you climb? London?

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 25/06/2008 12:17

I've always been a cyclist, but only started doing other stuff, really, since having my two DSes. I know technique matters, but still, with great upper body strength and no fear of heights, you can do a lot!

I climb at Mile End climbing wall. It's a great centre for me, as I'm often climbing with kids, so bouldering is the best option.

OP posts:
OverMyDeadBody · 25/06/2008 14:00

oooh my bil and best friend climb there, tues and thurs evening I think, but definately every week. You must've seen them

Good looking guys, late 20s ...perhaps that doesn't narrow it down much lol

OverMyDeadBody · 25/06/2008 14:01

ps I have pics of my DS climbing on my profile

StarlightMcKenzie · 25/06/2008 14:07

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StarlightMcKenzie · 25/06/2008 14:08

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Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 25/06/2008 14:57

Yes, good looking late 20s doesn't narrow it down at all.

I've been getting other mums climbing, and the ... ahem ... visual enjoyment ... of visiting the wall is certainly a motivator for some.

OP posts:
caughtintheact · 25/06/2008 15:13

YANBU! Most women don't have the upper body strength for pull-ups without training...
If you're interested in learning here's an article on how to mistress the pull-up you might find useful!

HeadFairy · 25/06/2008 15:15

Has she got arms like Madonna? I can't do any either, but I have the upper body strength of a newborn.

idlingabout · 25/06/2008 16:03

When I saw this thread title I thought the op was on about pull-up nappies !! Weird considering my child has been out of nappies for 6 years - what was I thinking?

expatinscotland · 25/06/2008 16:05

I could reliably lead 5.8 trad and flash 10b on sport.

And not do a single pull up.

Her trapeze years made climbing easier for her not because of the upper body strength, but because it gave her a core fitness and sense of balance that translates well in climbing.

Also, her body knows how to fall well.

Same goes with gymnasts. As one gymnast climbing partner I had said, 'In gymnastics, every fall is a ground fall.'

widgypog · 25/06/2008 16:07

I know nothing about climbing but surely isn't this to do with your body shape.My centre of gravity is very low and (I>E my bum is my biggest part). If your friend is more of an atthletic shape then most of her weight will be be in her upper body and therfore much easier to pull up. Just a thought

expatinscotland · 25/06/2008 16:10

I did have very good forearm and finger strength,although I was mostly a crack climber. But a lot of climbing, too, is in your abdomen and back and hips. You can get a lot of power out of these larger muscle groups.

If you are flexible you can also position your body to use these to your advantage and to work in rest stops more often.

Height can sometimes be an advantage, especially if combined with naturally slender physique.

OverMyDeadBody · 25/06/2008 16:15

flash 10b!!

Respect expat.

(although, are we talking a french 10b here?) I can flash a 6a if I'm lucky.

thebecster · 25/06/2008 16:21

I have no clue what you're all talking about, but I'm very impressed nonetheless.

Can't do a press up never mind a pull up.

expatinscotland · 25/06/2008 16:22

that would be on the American system, OMDB, 'clipping bolts'/sport climbing. lot of nice limestone in Colorado for that.

but mostly i liked a nice, thin crack, about the size for a no. 1 Camelot, my favourite piece, because my hands and feet are small , and a few nice face holds for the feet to rest now and again.

some lower-grade Yosemite cracks were far harder for me than higher-graded ones because they were off-width or fist sized for me.

or worse . . . slabs with horrible, ancient pitons hammered in by men who were old enough to be dead for pro.

expatinscotland · 25/06/2008 16:31

thisclimb is positively orgasmic.

hard as hell, though, too hard for me to lead all but the first pitch.

ex h lead the long pitch on it and was practically stupid with happiness afterwards.

Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 28/06/2008 17:58

Yeah, flexible, core strength, balance, all those help a lot.

She does have quite big biceps, I now see. I am often alarmed by them, now. She's since said sorry, she's realised that not being able to do pull-ups is normal. And I was right, well, almost - I said only one other woman out of our social group (of 15 women at least) could do pull-ups, maybe, and it turns out nobody can.

OP posts:
Original poster
NotQuiteCockney · 28/06/2008 18:11

That article about mistressing the pullup is quite tempting to me, I might work on that. I mean, I'm already doing quite a bit for my arm strength, anyway, with the climbing, but still ...

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 28/06/2008 18:13

for me, i found the only effective way to build up my forearm strength, which can help in climbing, was to climb more and more.

later on, i popped a tendon in a middle finger and did some forearm specific stuff, but mostly just switched to cracks till it healed up enough to sport climb again.

falcon · 28/06/2008 18:15

No nothing wrong with it.

I can't even do a forward roll.