What is the Best thing for a non-climber?

[the lurkist]

As a matter of fact.... I find myself feeling guilty if I go climbing bc it is interrupting my treadwall schedule.
Truth is I have to delude myself that what I am doing is helping.

[toad857]

treadwalls suck. in theory, they're great. but they are way too short to simulate real climbing. do one full-extension move and you run out of holds, and have to wait for the wall to reveal more. it gets very annoying quickly. i wouldn't recommend a treadwall to anyone.

[bcombs]

Toad, maybe you are just too tall?

Also, is that how you climb in the Red? Full extension move after full extension move?

[the lurkist]

I am 6'6" and have no problems.
Maybe toad is ADD.

[agdenm2]

The treadwall always wins

[the lurkist]

Choose small, my friend.

[toad857]

im not that tall; 5'10" on a good day. at the red, most climbs involve pretty long moves from "jug" to "jug".....(unless you're climbing like this guy: http://vimeo.com/11253465)

so to simulate this on the conventional-sized treadwall is impossible. when extending your body for a move, there are two outcomes.. 1) your hand reaches over the top of the treadwall, and you have to wait for it to come down... or 2) your feet hit the ground. both situations are annoying.

so, you're left with doing tiny moves (and doing them slowly). it's very unlike real climbing, especially at the red.

[toad857]

it's not to say that the idea of a treadwall is bogus...

if they added 3 or 4 feet to the top of the regular ones, they'd be a lot of fun.

also, having a non-moving "jug" or bar at the top with which to stop and "shake out" would really simulate the RRG very well.

[bcombs]

Most of the new Treadwall's have a foot stop that when your foot reaches the end of the wall it pauses. You can shake out there pretty easily.

I have the 11 foot model and I can't reach from the bottom to the top of it. Maybe you were on a smaller model? We are about the same height. To each his own I guess, but I love my treadwall and have seen great improvements in a short period of time with it. To me, it is exactly like climbing at the Red.

[SCIN]

I don't think anyone can say a treadwall doesn't build fitness for the Red. It's Ramsey's favorite training tool.