How good of a workout is tree climbing?

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crtreedude
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18 years 4 months ago - 18 years 4 months ago #126722 by crtreedude

How good of a workout is tree climbing? was created by crtreedude

I used to be a rock climber (more just bouldering - but some top-line as well) and that was a great combination between cycling and climbing.

How does tree climbing compare? I want to enjoy the canopy, but I would also love for it to be a great workout.

Perhaps I can top rope a tree...

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moss
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18 years 4 months ago - 18 years 4 months ago #126723 by moss

Replied by moss on topic How good of a workout is tree climbing?

You can make it as heart-pounding and muscle intensive you want it to be. Or you can take it easy. Just depends how hard you want to push. Try a little body-thrust technique on ascent and you'll go aerobic in no time.
-moss

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crtreedude
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18 years 4 months ago - 18 years 4 months ago #126725 by crtreedude

Replied by crtreedude on topic How good of a workout is tree climbing?

Sounds good - aerobic probably isn't an issue since I get that with the bike - but upperbody workout should be pretty good - as you said, I can make it as hard as I want.

Perhaps I can end up looking like Tarzan - after all, I do have jungle...

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moss
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18 years 4 months ago - 18 years 4 months ago #126726 by moss

Replied by moss on topic How good of a workout is tree climbing?

Tree climbing is good for upper body but also for core/trunk and leg muscles. Movement in the tree encourages all kinds of stretching and muscle use. Everyone develops their own style of climbing and movement. It can be minimal or broadly expressive or something in between. It's up to you.
-moss

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oldtimer
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18 years 4 months ago - 18 years 4 months ago #126727 by oldtimer

Replied by oldtimer on topic RTC Work out results

I lost a good amount of weight since my climbing is done mostly in the hot Humid Texas Summer Days. I now have better balance and fairly strong legs as a result of the climbing. RTC has helped control my Rheumatoid Arthritis or at least I feel a lot better than two years ago.
Overall it has been a very positive alternative to go to a Gym and do a workout indoors. I hope to be able to do some climbing in Central America one of these days. I will be in Venezuela at the end of the month for 2 weeks.

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crtreedude
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18 years 4 months ago - 18 years 4 months ago #126729 by crtreedude

Replied by crtreedude on topic How good of a workout is tree climbing?

Thanks, this is sounding like it will be a good thing - and very interesting of course.

I don't know if pictures are encouraged, but I thought you might like a picture of this Guancaste on our second finca.

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oldtimer
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18 years 4 months ago - 18 years 4 months ago #126730 by oldtimer

Replied by oldtimer on topic Pictures are Ok!

Pictures are Ok when properly sized.(Like Yours- Thank you)
Do you run any cattle en tus fincas?

Nice tree! It looks essay to climb and fun to stay in for a while. I assume that the other problem for climbs in Costa Rica are the regular rains that makes everything wet and mushy.

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crtreedude
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18 years 4 months ago - 18 years 4 months ago #126731 by crtreedude

Replied by crtreedude on topic How good of a workout is tree climbing?

We have some cows as animated weed whackers, but we are really in the reforestation business.

The tree is even more impressive upclose - the trunk is about 5 feet in diameter - you could build a nice cabin in the branches!

I assumed the picture was properly sized - it looked fine to me.

We have many, many trees - many go straight up for about 70 to 80 feet and then you hit the first branch.

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nickfromwi
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18 years 4 months ago - 18 years 4 months ago #126741 by nickfromwi

Replied by nickfromwi on topic How good of a workout is tree climbing?

Is that an "Arbol de Guanacaste?"

I remember seeing them from the bus last time I was riding up to Las Playas del Coco. They look like SWEET climbing trees.

love
nick

Would you like a lanyard spliced up, or anything else for that matter??? Give me a call- 323-384-7770 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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crtreedude
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18 years 4 months ago - 18 years 4 months ago #126742 by crtreedude

Replied by crtreedude on topic How good of a workout is tree climbing?

Yes - that is the national tree. Incredibly nice climbing tree - many of the limbs are considerably larger around than me - and extend perhaps 100 feet on each side.

A Guancaste that large is getting rare - but nothing is going to happen to this one - it is protected on our property.

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leon123
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18 years 4 months ago - 18 years 4 months ago #126746 by leon123

Replied by leon123 on topic How good of a workout is tree climbing?

crtreedude,

I remember you posting on Arboristsite many moons ago. Good to see you around again.

Is that Guanacaste tree an Enterolobium sp.? If so, those are common here in Hawaii, although I've only seen a few of that size. Really impressive trees.

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crtreedude
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18 years 4 months ago - 18 years 4 months ago #126747 by crtreedude

Replied by crtreedude on topic How good of a workout is tree climbing?

Yes, I was over there for a while. Much of it very interesting - but I was more focused on recreational and harvesting of seeds - so this seems more appropriate.

The Guanacaste tree in Costa Rica is: Enterolobium cyclocarpum

There are a few in Costa Rica twice the size as that - but anything the size of this tree is remarkable.

There are some very nice Corteza trees for climbing also - a two inch limb of Corteza would probably support a person - it is so dense it doesn't absorb water when used as a bridge.

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leon123
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18 years 4 months ago - 18 years 4 months ago #126753 by leon123

Replied by leon123 on topic How good of a workout is tree climbing?

Corteza? Latin names for us botany geeks, please!

I would love to come see your finca. Sounds like you've got some really fine trees growing there. Next time I'm in Costa Rica...

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crtreedude
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18 years 4 months ago - 18 years 4 months ago #126755 by crtreedude

Replied by crtreedude on topic How good of a workout is tree climbing?

Better than that - we have an article nearly completed on it - you can read about it when we publish it.

However, for now

Corteza Amarilla is a fairly common one, but I think there are 7 differenct types. The scientific name is:

Tabebuia ochracea

It has the most beautiful flowers when it blooms.

By all means Leon, the next time you are in the country, let us know!

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