SRTropewalkers are hard on knees???

[Ron]

I've had the impression for a long time that ropewalkers seem to be harder on knees than sit-stand systems, i.e. frog, RADS, Texas, etc.

I think that notion was pretty much confirmed, to me anyway, while I was making the Uncender videos. During and after shooting the Unicender-Mitchel ropewalker, I noticed some tenderness in my left knee. That knee has always had just a bit of tenderness to it if over used; nothing serious but it does tend to get sore sometimes, but recovers quickly.

It kinda makes sense that a ropewalker would be harder on knees because each knee has to bear the full weight of the climber every other stroke. The every other stroke thing does provide some 'forgiveness', but the peak intensity on the knee is still there for every stroke it takes. So any weakness is bound to show up.

In a DdRT walker, or sit-stand systems, the knees do twice as many strokes, but at half the load. I can feel the difference in my left knee.

I realize that many will be able to ropewalk for years, maybe their entire career, without a problem, but others may develop knee, let's say 'sensitivity', due to the intensity on the knees produced by ropewalking.

Just something I've noticed, figured it was worth a heads up.

 

[moss]

Do you use your arms at all when you're rope walking? I help lift with my arms, takes some load when I'm standing up on one leg.

Any rope climbing activity has the potential to stress a knee that already has problems. You may find that your knee will strengthen over time if you don't over do it initially. My knees were pretty funky before I started climbing (in my early geezer stage of life), they're way better now. When I tweak them climbing they seem to recover quickly.
-moss

 

[Ron]

That's pretty much where I am. I just notice the 'sensitivity' seems to occur quicker with ropewalkers than sit-stands. I use my arm/hands more in sit-stands than in walkers and that's another difference.

 

[moss]

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...I just notice the 'sensitivity' seems to occur quicker with ropewalkers than sit-stands.

[/ QUOTE ]

Definitely, two legs together takes care of one that's a little funky. A ropewalker is more like a weight machine in a gym, tends to isolate particular joints and muscles.
-moss