The Careless Talk Climbing Podcast E106: Ben Bransby - Getting stronger in your 40s, ticking Stanage and making duct tape hold umbrellas
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Jul 17, 2024 Ben Bransby, British Climbing Legend, discusses challenging climbs, training in 40s, first ascents, climbing crags, and grade hunting. Stories include crimping after finger injuries and navigating climbing culture changes.
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Start Structured Training To Reverse Age Decline
- Get a coach and a training plan even later in your career to arrest decline and improve performance.
- Ben began structured training with Dave Mason at 44 and regained fingertip and body strength, enabling recent hard boulder sends.
Training Lets You Tap Strength Instead Of Forcing It
- Strength training changes how you access power on climbs, shifting from forcing moves to tapping trained strength.
- Ben felt he previously 'fought' his body but training let him access consistent strength and reduced injury risk.
Trad Grades Reflect Experience Not Just Moves
- Trad grading resists scientific precision because gear, exposure and fear add subjective dimensions beyond pure physical difficulty.
- Ben argues grade feelings often come from overall experience, not just hardest moves.