The benefits of cross training are abundant and aren't in question here. The subject topic is real life adaptability.
Straight to the point - cross-training contributes and transfers very little in real terms to the sport of Bouldering. The other way around yes for sure but it's a one way street here.
Perhaps Bouldering is too specific for generalist training, too technical to pass judgement. Perhaps not. From a movement quality / integrity standpoint I think not. Bouldering simply requires constant thinking and adaptation in movement in each and every moment. Nothing is ever exactly repeatable. Every single move requires adapting to whatever the situation demands and this is what it means to be adaptable.
Perhaps this is why the top ten of season one of the Australian Ninja Warrior featured predominantly rock-climbers and tradesmen - both of which require constant adaptation.
The point of interest here is the lack of movement-skill transfer of cross-training in my opinion. How practical is your strength if you ooze inefficiency at the foundation of your movement integrity? Real life demands absolute and constant change so is your functional training really delivering what you think is does?
Do you really care about the quality of your movement or are you just punching out the numbers and bumping the heart rate up?
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