I Was Climbing The Wrong Way THIS WHOLE TIME!?

[@szokrika]

Would love to see the climbing technique broken down a bit more in a separate video! Great stuff! ❤

[@florianabrahamson2834]

yes a video from the side on a trainer would be awesome

[@CharlesOuimet]

Good idea! But on the trainer it would not be able to replicate properly outside climbing position

[@Justs99171]

I was totally surprised to see that ... I didn't learn anything. I was doing all this naturally.

[@errickrichardson2520]

After I watched this video, I went back and watched Alberto Contador climbing out of the saddle. It's amazing how you can see the technique they show in this video..

[@CharlesOuimet]

Wow that’s awesome

[@bmwflyfisher]

I just watched a greatest hits on Alberto. In the old videos, he is in the 2-3 o'clock pushing, and body movement is tremendous even though he is still killing it. It the later, he is straight leg and 1-2 and no upper body movement - SMOKING up the hills. The efficiencies gained are present with the techniques in this series. Charles: This will be your MOST watched video even though all the content is amazing, super informational and perfectly edited. I commend you and whoever is helping you. It had to a be a nightmare to compile!

[@simonsepic]

I love seeing stuff like this and seeing that I have naturally found things completely on point.

[@CharlesOuimet]

Heck yes !!!

[@CycoWarriorx]

What I’m enjoying the most out of this is it’s giving me the tools to work on, but moreso the technical knowledge of how much body mechanics play into it… 🍻

[@CharlesOuimet]

YES!!! Thanks dude

[@sepg5084]

During off saddle climbs: Riding on a flat bar bike made me pull up on the handlebar. 17% grades made lean forward and bend my arms to maintain proper weight distribution. Getting tired made me drop my weight into the pedals instead of pushing down on them. This vid confirmed that i am actually doing it right, but i usually only climb off saddle near the top of the climb. I climb seated most of the time.

[@CharlesOuimet]

Thanks for sharing !

[@MooreMatt]

This is really great. I know I naturally use my weight to free fall into the pedal stroke because I’m so cooked and heavy. Can’t wait to get outside again and off zwift.

[@CharlesOuimet]

Nice!!!

[@Opt_out_of_this]

Words that come to mind on this, priceless.......I heard the Navy Seals determined at the point of exhaustion when men give up after extreme training these guys had 60% left in the tank. Your second DTP test give up and shaming nicely shamed showed that Charles had plenty in the tank. I've learned men will go a long way to prove somebody wrong especially in Charles to himself. Hat tip. EF Coaching appears to be the new Training Peaks.

[@DaveCM]

This has been my favorite video series from you. I'm really enjoying it. I am actually learning some stuff too.

[@CharlesOuimet]

Thanks you so much dude!!!

[@kylebaker8502]

@@CharlesOuimet Lots of insight here! Appreciate you bringing this to the masses!

[@bmwflyfisher]

OK Charles! I had to go spring up Fort Roots in North Little Rock Arkansas to test what I think this video is showing - We always think we are perfect until recorded and critiqued. Fort Roots ia a fun challenge, and 5 miles to the top. I watched this video and I thought I was fairly complaint on the pull, downstroke, but the rear end up was questionable. I found I wasn't butt up at all, and I found I was a little off clock: 2-3 versus 1-2 because of it...Power gain here 30-40 watts (huge to me). I was pulling properly versus pushing, and I thought I had this down - Confirmed. I also noted my pedal stroke was fairly smooth which I have been working on for 6 months in the seated position with little to no head and body bobbing. I had to concentrate a little standing as I was flailing around a bit to start - Eventually smoothed it out a bit. However, I was pushing 400 watts up the hill while standing - Always, and superb for my status. When seated, I started at 400, then 350, 300, 275, 250 when seated. So, I have some work to do on fitness/endurance on seated. I thought I was powering well, but is seems I have just been sitting and pedaling more of an endurance pace to climb the bigger hills in North West Arkansas -developing some bad habits. Thanks for posting this. AMAZING footage, teaching, editing, and content. I can't wait for #6 to come out. I'll keep practicing before pulling the trigger on this bucket list.

[@CharlesOuimet]

Wow dude!! Thanks for sharing. So happy to hear this. Glat it works out

[@itiosso]

One of the most educational videos out there tbh. Big fan of what EF is doing and now I’m looking into signing up for their program tbh

[@CharlesOuimet]

Thanks!!! Definitely try out the foundation program!

[@PaulKentSkates]

Yay! I climb with my lats and my butt! Adding some olympic weightlifting style training taught me a lot I could apply to the bike. Especially for pedal ups!

[@CharlesOuimet]

Nice!!!! I've been wanting to lift, once I have my own squat rack!

[@thomasleaidicker2667]

By far the best video on climbing I've ever seen.

[@CharlesOuimet]

Thank you Thomas!!

[@bengt_axle]

You gonna be a beast on Cam-Houde this spring! Good video analysis. -26C nous guette en fin de semaine.

[@CharlesOuimet]

Sub 4 min goal for 2023 😅😅😅

[@JFomo]

I'm still working on the technique thanks to this video. Did a climb on the weekend and remembered to use my bodyweight and pull on the bars. It kind of worked and I noticed my legs weren't burning out like they normally would but my heart rate jumped up. The next day my lower back was hurting and it's still hurting now. It's been 4 days since I did the climb. I will keep working on it.

[@CharlesOuimet]

Thanks for sharing!! You'll get it I'm sure!

[@ericgbarber]

Yeah, Colby and JV both making an appearance -- two of my former teammates from Colorado Cyclist days.

[@CharlesOuimet]

Niceeeee 👍🏼👍🏼

[@Trihope]

This video is GOLD!

[@CharlesOuimet]

Thanks😊

[@dskordo]

Very useful. Thank you

[@CharlesOuimet]

My pleasure 😄

[@maniastrat]

Very Good Thank You! Although Ive ridden for decades I still learned things here. Thank You!

[@CharlesOuimet]

Hell yes!!

[@manilamartin1001]

This is cool. Reminds me of high school. When I cycled in high school our morning routine was focused on strength and conditioning and the afternoon rides were more improving with drills and lectures and more drills.

[@CharlesOuimet]

Thanks !!

[@lukaserlt5824]

A great way to practice out of the saddle technique is to do it on rollers. Any inefficient movement, especially the Stairmaster will just throw you off the thing. It really forces you to do it correctly.

[@CharlesOuimet]

Thanks for sharing!! Indeed

[@johndegroote6495]

Fantastic video. Thanks for sharing this.

[@CharlesOuimet]

Thanks for watching !

[@ChrisWagner-bh3vn]

thanks for sharing Charles.

[@CharlesOuimet]

My pleasure Chris, Thanks for watching!

[@markp.7345]

Super interesting! Thanks!

[@tylerbollmann3234]

Now that was an informative video. I will have to get a friend to film me while climbing and see how my natural form is. Then start to break it down and use this video for some free watts

[@CharlesOuimet]

exactly!!!

[@KansasTreeCare]

When I put my body weight into the pedals while standing, I do at least like 180% of ftp. So I obviously can't do it for long.

[@savysmilesumtymes]

Wow SUCH a helpful series

[@CharlesOuimet]

thanks!

[@stevencole7331]

I would think that the side to side motion doesn't just add distance to the climb it appears to be it creates tire resistence . So a technique with less movement of the bike with tires going as straight as possible would be the most efficient . Now you may not generate as much power but with that your using up that power . Conservation of energy is paramount and most of that is directed by efficiency .

[@CharlesOuimet]

Thanks for sharing! I'd agree with you here

[@RetiredAdventurers]

I've been watching your videos and learning too, just subscribe too. I also push down when I stand so I'm gonna try pulling next time I stand and pedal.

[@julienrobert3938]

Great content again Charles.

[@CharlesOuimet]

Thanks Julien!

[@ACanette]

Such an instructive lesson! Finally i understood my coaches demands

[@CharlesOuimet]

Thanks !!!

[@BarryJHoffman]

Charles.by far your best cycling videoes ever. thanks for making these and great production..editing and helping the viewer to experience what you have.you've improved so much and very proud of you. keep it going safely...Barry from NY

[@CharlesOuimet]

Thank you SO SO MUCH!!!

[@BarryJHoffman]

@@CharlesOuimet Charles at 25 min 45 sec you discuss about 2 fingers when climbing and a break thru.but you never really show it.can you please explain more about what you were doing before vs new technique and why so much better?thanks..awesome work!

[@xred_unitedx8700]

Great video. Great info. Eye opening stuff. Thank you

[@CharlesOuimet]

My pleasure !!

[@shady1080]

wow that climbing technique slow mo was great

[@CharlesOuimet]

Thanks!!!

[@raymondjohnson464]

Good video I am going to try some of the techniques you mentioned I think I was doing it wrong too lol .

[@CharlesOuimet]

Heck yes !

[@GravelRacer1]

This is fantastic. I learned a lot from this.

[@CharlesOuimet]

Thank you!!

[@jessejarj]

Great video Charles. Colby's position is bonkers.

[@CharlesOuimet]

BONKERS. Yes.

[@timtaylor9590]

i get how that climbing technique can save energy and it comes naturally for most ppl but pulling up is also another way to save energy or get extra watts so i dont see why they wouldnt want to utilize that as well. if you need to save the legs or pull because the legs are burnt out then its a good way to get more watts out. often sometimes on climbs when im tired ill scoot back on my saddle some and sit tall to pull harder. and most ppl can pull a couple hundred watts, also just pulling and no pushing is possible as well.

[@CharlesOuimet]

heck yes! Well said

[@manilamartin1001]

I learned that way too.We were suppose to imagine our foot pushing the pedal in four directions like a square. I think it's a very old school way or maybe just because I was a teen that's why they explained it to me that way.

[@jasienharidy4128]

Hey man, when you put your saddle back, you need to also put it down a bit. Otherwise you're making your saddle effectively higher. (ideally also shorten your stem but that might be a it much for a short term adjustment hehe). Next to using new muscles, with starting your ride like this there is a big chance this is where your back pain comes from, especially when climbing like this. Also, great video man! super informative!

[@CharlesOuimet]

Thanks for sharing!

[@marciacousins3959]

So informative I need to Subscribe 👍🏾

[@CharlesOuimet]

thanks!!

[@kokonanana1]

Charles is “twisting” more to the right than to the left when climbing. Right side stronger? That’s why the bike is “wandering” up the hill.

[@gregnichols9363]

Will is a wealth of knowledge, you are lucky

[@CharlesOuimet]

Thanks Greg

[@Stefflaj]

Wow ! C'est vraiment malade comme coaching camp. Super bon contenu !

[@CharlesOuimet]

Merci!!!!!

[@windy415]

Core activation to keep head still while cloning.

[@windy415]

Lol. I meant climbing. But core strength is important for the act of cloning too

[@CharlesOuimet]

Yeah dude!!!

[@bogdanc2309]

Awesome content!!!

[@CharlesOuimet]

Thanks :)

[@melkadyo]

these are pretty good technique advices and information.

[@CharlesOuimet]

Thanks!!!

[@melkadyo]

@@CharlesOuimet seriously i tried the pushing your weight down on the top of the crank rotation. it actually makes sense. although i'm not that efficient and still weak, i felt that it is working.

[@robp3431]

From my experience, being on the hoods is less-stable, so being heavier on the front exaggerates front end wandering.....light is right 🙂

[@CharlesOuimet]

Yes, but it allows to distribute the load, thus using more muscle group, thus climbing with more efficency

[@N_Els]

Great video. A friend of mine (Belgium ex pro) always. Suggested very similar tips, but one that sticks in memory was that the feeling was like running on the bike whilst standing, effectively using all of the power phase and not just pushing down. Effective, if you remember to do it and practice it. 😂

[@CharlesOuimet]

definitely need to practice for it to become second nature!

[@blackbird969]

hmm, interesting, looks like I am mixed, sometimes I do staircase when I want to sprint at the same time, but when I'm prepared to do the climb I do it like it should be with whole body weight

[@CharlesOuimet]

nice!

[@leftywedge]

Salut Charles. Une autre superbe vidéo. 👍.

[@CharlesOuimet]

Merci beaucoup!!

[@Freeriderz666]

Great Vid and insights! Would be interesting to hear what the experts have to say about oval chainrings?

[@CharlesOuimet]

Good question !!

[@charlogalit3222]

What chainring and cassettes combination do you use, the gradient and your rpm?

[@stelladavis7443]

Haha now there is finally a def for how you climb 😂😂 sorry! But great video, learnt alot

[@speckles9251]

Why would anyone want to go differently when climbing out of the saddle? Weren't you guys cycling as a kid?

[@CharlesOuimet]

not sure what you mean here

[@DrewMtl]

Oh is that how I'm supposed to climb. I'm absolutely the worst climber. cant wait to give this new position and stroke a try.

[@CharlesOuimet]

Hell yes!!

[@zeez4178]

We'll his theory dismisses clip on pedals

[@CharlesOuimet]

Not sure I get what you mean

[@howlinhauler]

not a coach but.... watch Feather when he rides. get aero when standing .

[@CharlesOuimet]

absolutely!

[@CanHammer]

Can you please repeat that realization with fingers at the end? It was hard to see in the video

[@CharlesOuimet]

Pull with the finger under the hoods rather than push with the palm of the hand on top of the hoods when out of the saddle

[@CanHammer]

@@CharlesOuimet so index and thumb wrap around top of the hoods (index in front of the lever) and third/fourth behind the lever and under the hood?

[@CharlesOuimet]

@@CanHammer exactly! Pull the hood with third and fourth fingers.

[@stephanoschristou4602]

the gluteus maximus is the biggest muscle in the body, not the lats

[@CharlesOuimet]

I think Colby refers the lats has the biggest muscle per ratio of mass, but glutes is bigger mass overall. I'm no physio, but that's my understanding of it

[@ingrownperson1922]

04:46 is this applicable for straight bars?

[@CharlesOuimet]

I'd think so yes!

[@niallhowellevans9942]

Oh. My. God.

[@CharlesOuimet]

Woot

[@Aeroskiii]

New dura ace levers? And rotors?

[@CharlesOuimet]

No it's the FSA groupset!

[@Aeroskiii]

@@CharlesOuimet oh word? I wish the 2015 sram red supersix tbhj

[@chickenpoodle]

its the FSA kforce-WE groupset. its semi wireless just like the 12speed di2's. is the FSA groupset new? no. but its new to most people because of how under represented it is. which is a shame. its been around for so long, but yet its never gotten a grasp of the market.

[@Aeroskiii]

@@chickenpoodle ah thought they would be on DA

[@MaLdocK]

Hey @Charles Ouimet! Which mudguard are you using on your bike?

[@CharlesOuimet]

I had none :')

[@colleenmcdonald450]

The basic way to describe better climbing technique is focus on pulling the pedal TOWARDS the body as though you are scrapping gum off your shoe. It's a pulling motion rather than a drive foward. Think of rowing. Body positition should involve wings in (elbows in) and use your monkey grip (little finger and finger next to it in vertical position) rather than using your thumb and index finger in horizontal hold. NO). Basically the monkey grip engages your core whereas the little fingers involve fine motor skills (thumb and index) when engaged these wiill injure your shoulders and wrists and are the WORST cycling position. They are even bad for stationary activities such as driving or using a computer mouse! Terrible! Bonk/crack uphill if you are just driving forward and have your hands horizontal. Unfortunately most cycling handbars encourage that bad horizontial hand postition. Change up the bars. Get ergo grips. Scrape gum off your shoes UPHILL. Elbows in. Viola!! Hills are a breeze.

[@lovenottheworld5723]

I know this guy who's weight distribution is so perfect that all he has to do is stand up on a climb and he accelerates almost without trying. That's not something you can learn is it.

[@AR-lz2br]

That is also the result of a relatively high power to weight ratio. High wattage and low weight make a huge difference when climbing.

[@CharlesOuimet]

It’s all about the technique!

[@darmaimran5770]

Thumbs up

[@CharlesOuimet]

helllll yessss

[@philipsimmonds1103]

... this is a classic example of OverCoaching .. let the Atheletes find provisional solutions .. don't let the Egomaniacs run the asylum.

[@CharlesOuimet]

I'd dissagree with you here. This was a performance camp to learn as much in little time. Thus packed with incredible knowledge

[@philipsimmonds1103]

@Charles Ouimet as U progress.. this might resonate a little deeper ..

[@als7360]

Someone needs to tell Pogacar he’s doing it wrong…

[@CharlesOuimet]

what if he already do the proper climbing technique :)?

[@briangandia8897]

Bro can you not pronounce "H"? 😉

[@janeblogs324]

He's using the original words, hotel used to have a silent h, so you say otel. Then when English came along they changed half the words for fun

[@CharlesOuimet]

BRO I'M FRENCH CANADIAN, GIVE ME A BREAK ahahaah

[@CharlesOuimet]

I'm just doing second language mistakes :)

[@briangandia8897]

Ride on bro, hope to see u soon man. U motivate us 👍