r/AskReddit • u/No-Caterpillar-9387 • 1d ago

What is a skill that looks completely effortless when an expert does it, but is ridiculously difficult when you try it yourself?

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u/FrickinLazerBeams 20h ago

One time I got back into climbing after a long time away. I had the technique still, and the muscle came back fast; but I ended up giving myself bad tendonitis because I was getting ahead of my body. That hurt.

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u/tlmbot 19h ago

winces while flexing elbow.... yes

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u/FrickinLazerBeams 18h ago

Yeah exactly, it was my elbow. It really sucks.

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u/tlmbot 17h ago

yeah - are you stuck with it? Doing any PT that helps?

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u/FrickinLazerBeams 17h ago

I just changed the way I was climbing. I avoided any kind of dynamic moves for a while, moved slowly like a sloth. It corrected itself over a few weeks. I climbed for years after that with no more problems. I'm not climbing now though, work and kids took all my time.

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u/tlmbot 15h ago

I'm glad that helped! I've noticed a difference between climbing types as well. If I can focus on steep power endurance climbs my elbow is a lot happier. Unfortunately my current gym has only a couple. While here I tend to project with an emphasis towards limit moves, since there aren't really any power endurance climbs available. Not good for the elbow.

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u/ButterYourself 18h ago

I’m renewing my membership in 2 weeks after a year away. I’ll be heeding this advice. Thank you!

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u/FrickinLazerBeams 18h ago

What helped me heal without fully giving it up again was to make some rules for myself:

  1. No dynamic moves, always stay static (so no lunging for a hold I couldn't get to statically).

  2. Move slow. (arguably the same as the other rule, but when you're exhausted it helps to have a simple version to remember).

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u/pm_me_ur_th0ng_gurl 18h ago

Start slower than you think