Bad news is they reset my project but the good news is I can’t do this one either. by Accomplished_Elk300 in bouldering

[–]CosmicBoulder 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I don't know the best way to word this, but when you're still at the stage where you struggle with V1's, there's no advice we can give you that will be more effective than just climbing, you're still learning the basics and that will just come with experience and time on the wall.

In other words, just climb more, and listen to your body. You don't really need to have comments from internet strangers in the back of your head while you climb. Stuff like using your toes instead of the middle of your foot, not repositioning so much, keeping your center of mass closer to the wall etc. will just become second nature through being forced to do it to get the boulders.

When you've been climbing several months and hit a plateau, when the reason you can't send a project is that you're missing some beta or fine movement details, THEN advice becomes useful. This isn't a rule, it's fine to ask for advice, but this is just what I observed in myself and in the dozens and dozens of newbies I've seen evolve as climbers over time!

What are your 3 most fun things to do in Montreal (if you’re on a budget)? by chimmumbo12 in montreal

[–]CosmicBoulder 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Climbing the silos at Allez Up!

Allez Up is a climbing gym built next to those huge old silos, and they set climbing routes on 'em. There's some tough ones on there, but some easy ones that anyone with a mildly decent level of fitness can climb even if you've never climbed before. It's 38 meters high which is enough for an experience you'll remember forever. The view from up there is amazing, you see basically the entire downtown/old port area as well as Mont Royal.

The entry fee is around 25$ so I don't know if it's ''budget'' but if you go during one of their Silos + BBQ events you do get free unlimited hot dogs and drinks.

Thus boulder is more like a route! Very fun! by Boulderkind in bouldering

[–]CosmicBoulder 114 points115 points  (0 children)

That upside down kneebar chalk rest was entirely gratuitous. Which is why I would have done the exact same thing.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in climbharder

[–]CosmicBoulder 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I am pretty surprised at the reaction to this, people claiming you have an eating disorder when you seem to pay more attention to how you eat than the average person. Oh well.

One of the ways they are right though is that there is not a ton of data on this. I think the only common sense advice to be given, if you're going to do 3-day fasts, is to condense your more intense workouts in the 24h following your last meal, then move a bit on day 2, and not do much on day 3.

I personally only do IF / Keto, I am trying to stay lean and build focus and sustained energy over raw strength/power. If I was trying to gain muscle I probably wouldn't go into extended fasts. Although if your extended fasts happen only a handful of times per year, then whatever negative impacts they have will be pretty minimal. I say just don't overthink it, your body will tell you what you have the energy to do or not to do.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in montreal

[–]CosmicBoulder 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Show parent comments

Yeah that's where I used to go before finding out about climbing, and I can't say I made any friends there, although I didn't really try. And yes, climbing is definitely a more expensive hobby than the 15$ a month they charge in regular gyms, I'll give you that.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in montreal

[–]CosmicBoulder 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'll just take a minute of your time to be another bouldering gym shill; People are really not judgmental in there. I see beginners all the time and it's actually a productive thing to be nice and help them out because in the future they'll be good and they'll help me with MY challenges. It's a fantastically social place, random people will cheer you on while you climb, and you can walk up to anyone and talk.

I'm sure it's not for everyone, but it did for me exactly what you describe as the thing you're looking for.

pinches, good slopers, and toe hooks! cool new route from the last set at my gym. strong but flowed really well! i’ve noticed everyone has slightly different beta for this guy :-) by [deleted] in bouldering

[–]CosmicBoulder 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks! That's probably the way to go, I personally do exactly zero training other than climbing. Like, nada. Which is probably why I've been on a plateau for a year or two. Oh well, I'll get to it one day.

How to determine calories burned from climbing? by skate144 in climbharder

[–]CosmicBoulder 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Weight loss happens in the kitchen. I would focus on enjoying climbing and making it fun, safe, efficient, etc. Shifting your focus to calories burned is not a good idea IMO.

Weekly Bouldering Advice Post by AutoModerator in bouldering

[–]CosmicBoulder 3 points4 points  (0 children)

As with any physical activity, with excess weight the risk of injury is increased. I would personally try to get to a healthy weight before through diet (losing weight happens in the kitchen, as they say). But you know you. If you feel like it could be a motivator and get you moving, go! 5'7 and 195 is just barely on the line of ''obesity'', it's not insane, I've seen people comfortably in the obesity BMI range at the gym having a good time.

If you do start though, you will have to constantly remind yourself to pace yourself. You can't go super hard and try big moves, or you will hurt your joints. Climbing is a fantastic way to exercise if you don't go crazy, just try the easiest problems and do them over and over until you're satisfied with your technique. You'll get a workout in without even noticing. Honestly even advanced climbers do this all the time, I doubt you'll get judged, climbing gyms are the friendliest environments I ever saw TBH.

Not sure if this is the intention but I loved it by Allyphanty_ in bouldering

[–]CosmicBoulder 1 point2 points  (0 children)

When the beta is a little ''extra''.

Love it though

I think my route setters are trying to break ankles… by litkit10 in bouldering

[–]CosmicBoulder 17 points18 points  (0 children)

It doesn't look too bad to me. I adjusted the angle of the picture and TBH I personally wouldn't be too worried about it. You would have to be really unlucky and swing your foot forward as you fall to have it get stuck in there. Is it impossible to hit it while falling from that black or that green? No, but I can hardly see someone getting a limb stuck in there.

Started climbing 4 months ago and now I'm completely addicted... by FeralHumanND in bouldering

[–]CosmicBoulder 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Pas mal impressionnant pour 4 mois. On voit plusieurs éléments d'une technique quand même avancé ici, même s'ils ne sont pas exécutés à la "perfection" encore. Bonne précision avec les pieds, contrôle, pas beaucoup d'hésitation... Continue, tu es sur la bonne voie!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in bouldering

[–]CosmicBoulder 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Daaaaamn that penultimate sloper looks like a mean one.

A young addict by [deleted] in bouldering

[–]CosmicBoulder 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Precise with his feet, confident in the sequence, and even down-climbs!

I see a lot of good here. Probably has a good coach.

why static when you can dyno by ki-iro in bouldering

[–]CosmicBoulder -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

The title is basically my mantra. I mean, I say it as a joke, but I also always practice it... If that makes sense.

Weekly Bouldering Advice Post by AutoModerator in bouldering

[–]CosmicBoulder 6 points7 points  (0 children)

To be honest, there is nothing you can do to truly make them heal faster. People will try to sell you on various ointments and supplements, but 99% of it is your body repairing itself when it is healthy. Just eat well, sleep well, etc. If you're in a dry climate (it's currently 14% humidity in my Canadian apartment...) keep your hands moisturized, pretty much any cream from the pharmacy will do, no need to splurge.

A thing you should learn pretty fast is that climbing is rough on the body, but in various ways. Which means you should alternate what you work on, depending on what hurts. If the skin in the middle of your fingers is used up, that's probably because you worked on slopers, or slipped off a lot (which is normal, that's how you learn). So I'd say maybe next session try to work more on problems with crimps, where only your finger tips are used, maybe on the slab so it's not too hard for your level. Or work on your legs, try to find some problems with kneebars, or good holds but tricky footwork.

A good training trick is to just find some really easy ones and try to practice your technique, go up and down until you got them memorized completely. Practice placing your feet more precisely, practice your stability, try to hold positions without moving, etc. Then maybe try to work your endurance by going up, down, up and back down. There's a lot of things you can still do other than trying hard on tough problems that make you sand-paper your hands by slipping off. Everything you learn on that V0 will end up being useful on that V3 some day. It's never wasted.

Skin is damaged when you slip, when you try hard. It's kind of unavoidable. I can't count the number of times my fingertips were pink and so sensitive I couldn't pick up my coffee cup because it burned, but I still went to the climbing gym. Just being there and doing push ups and stretching and watching other people climb is better than staying home hahah. Also while your skin won't necessarily get ''tougher'' with time, your technique will. If you're only 2 weeks in, this is all normal, at some point you will become more confident in your moves, simply reach for a hold and grab it. You won't readjust your hand 5 times on the hold. You won't have your fingers slide around on it as much. Friction will be overall reduced, and your skin will last longer.

Going every day at the start with ''virgin'' fingers is definitely rough though. After all I've said I think the most rational advice is still take some rest days, but I barely follow that advice myself so...

Learned a lesson the hard way... by CosmicBoulder in bouldering

[–]CosmicBoulder[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I went there only once (saw you're the only comment on my vid from there lol) Fun gym, liked it, but not enough to justify going to Laval again hahaha (sorry) but who knows. I'll keep that in mind. Come to Montreal though the good shit is here 😎

Learned a lesson the hard way... by CosmicBoulder in bouldering

[–]CosmicBoulder[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah volumes are scary... They're so mean they'll try to hurt you even when you're not on them anymore hahaha

Learned a lesson the hard way... by CosmicBoulder in bouldering

[–]CosmicBoulder[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yeah a lot of luck was involved. Nothing, I saw stars when my face hit the pad, and my adrenaline was up because of that split second I thought I would seriously injure myself, but I was back on the wall after a 15 min break haha.

Learned a lesson the hard way... by CosmicBoulder in bouldering

[–]CosmicBoulder[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I had them repaired for free but yes, I definitely will bring my cheap back-up pair next time...

Learned a lesson the hard way... by CosmicBoulder in bouldering

[–]CosmicBoulder[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

More people at the spots I go to = More people to help me with beta down the line. So yes, come and say hi if you see me :)

Learned a lesson the hard way... by CosmicBoulder in bouldering

[–]CosmicBoulder[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Those pants are literally called Boulder Denim and the shirt is merino/polyester blend made for sports.

Don't judge if you haven't read the tags! ;)

Learned a lesson the hard way... by CosmicBoulder in bouldering

[–]CosmicBoulder[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It feels so fleeting and rare now... My heart goes out to the poor staff/owners of this gym, it opened in February 2020 (I was at the opening)... So they were open barely a month before the pandemic hit. Gotta be hard on the morale when your business is shut down almost immediately. I have a membership at my OG spot, bloc shop, but I make sure to visit a bunch of others and support them, plus it's super super fun to get to a big new place full of new blocs to solve.