proper posture on steep routes

[srossabi42]

is there a correct posture when climbing on steep routes?

i sometimes notice that my back is pretty rounded when i'm climbing on steep routes and i'm wondering if this is better or worse than maintaining good posture (straight back, shoulders relaxed and back, etc). does anyone have any thoughts on this?

[scojo]

It's hard to define posture in this case, because you're constantly moving through different terrain and different body positions (unless you're at a rest). It's hard to judge whether or not you're putting yourself in a bad position without a picture (perhaps you could post one). There may be be some circumstances where you want a little rounding in your back to make a particular move.

[srossabi42]

May 26, 2017 12:37:07 GMT -7 scojo said:

There maybe be some circumstances where you want a little rounding in your back to make a particular move.

this is true, i guess i was thinking less about specific movements and more generally. whether allowing your back to round engages less muscles (?) and is less taxing than keeping your body straight. or does keeping better posture allow you to distribute more weight to your feet? can you breathe more efficiently because your lungs can expand more?

[tetrault]

It seems to me that it is often worth expending lots of energy in other parts of the body in order to shed weight off the forearms.

[RobF]

Interesting question / worthy of thought within a climbing context. Is the what is thought of as good posture (neutral spine, scapula retraction) optimal for sports performance. Proponents of the alexander technique / pilates / pose method (for running) would say yes. I asked my cycling friend and he said no- it's not aerodynamic enough. However if you look at the strongest athletes of all then posture is everything...

http://instagr.am/p/BQ3LwsagWI0

[tetrault]