physical constraints in technique

The Pillars of Climbing

Onto the next tenet of technique: physical constraints.

While this term may sound like something negative, it simply means that the body you're in, in its current state, influences the way that you climb.

Some physical constraints are set such as height for adult climbers.

Pictured here is the same climb at different heights. Because I was unable to reach this hold, I ended up using different beta to complete the climb.

Other physical constraints may change such as strength, mobility, and technical ability.

For example, you may have had this experience: returning to something you climbed years prior and having much more strength and technical ability when you returned.

You now have access to movement options you didn't previously and are able to use completely different beta or are able to complete the climb much more easily.

Pictured: Bosley Traverse was a project for me when I first did it in 2014 but was a climb I quickly repeated multiple times in preparation for the Triple Crown competition 7 years later in 2021.

Learning how to climb with your set physical constraints and also being able to adapt your climbing with your changing physical constraints is part of being a skilled climber.

The more familiar you are with your own climbing, the quicker you'll be able to find beta that works for your body and the better you can prepare for your objectives.

However, sometimes we can get "stuck" in certain movement habits because of our physical constraints and our beliefs about our physical constraints.