| It's one of the classic rock climbing questions. If I | | | | good climber (especially a French one!), it will matter |
| want to improve, should I get better technique or | | | | little whether they're male or female. They will |
| should I get stronger? For beginners, the answer is | | | | probably be extremely powerful. They will, almost |
| simple. Improve your technique. The best way to do | | | | certainly, have beautiful technique. At grades below |
| this is to climb in as many locations as possible - | | | | their limit, they will seem to glide up the rock. |
| indoors, outdoors, on different types of rock, such | | | | In climbing, people often talk about strength. But |
| as limestone, sandstone and granite. See what works | | | | we're not weightlifters or bodybuilders. Strength isn't |
| for you and what works for other people. Watch | | | | as important as power. We're not holding a weight. |
| other climbers. Watch better climbers. Did they make | | | | We're moving a weight - our body. Many hard climbs |
| a move the same way that you made it? Were they | | | | call for explosive gymnastic power. For most people, |
| more fluid? Did they pull through smoothly, where | | | | this won't come overnight. You have to train for it. |
| you grunted and struggled? | | | | Technique or power? For rock climbers operating at |
| In rock climbing, there are some interesting gender | | | | up to about E1 or 5.10, my advice is to improve your |
| differences. Many men, especially beginners, will use | | | | technique. Good technique is an invaluable investment. |
| their strength to try to grab and pull their way up. By | | | | It will reap rewards over your entire climbing career. |
| contrast, many women will adopt more graceful | | | | If you want to go beyond these grades, especially |
| techniques, utilising suppleness and deft footwork. | | | | on steep rock, then yes, it's worth improving your |
| Naturally there are exceptions, but women tend to | | | | power - carefully! Get technique first, then power. |
| have better technique. However if you watch a really | | | | |