Gym Etiquette around power grunt/yell/scream

What are your thoughts on people doing power grunts/yells/screams while climbing?

ETA:  I have found myself doing it lately when doing grades hard for me. I then find myself quite embarrassed when i am then back down.

Don’t 

I will make as much noise as I want or need to. If I need to poop my pants to send, that is between me and handhold Jesus.

There are two reasons why you may want to. Screaming fully expels your air and forces you to breathe more deeply if you aren't focusing on your breath already. The second is that while screaming, you are forcing tension through your entire body that you may not otherwise consciously engage, and sometimes the extra tension is what you need to stick a crux move. 

I don't ever power scream for any reason at all, but on something very hard, outdoors, I don't slight people for doing it. V11+ and hard 5.13 is acceptable. Anything easier than that and I roll my eyes. But that's my own judgey compass haha.

Gym-bros power screaming probably just want the attention of nearby gym-hottie.

J W wrote:

How many responses that align with your present thinking are you looking for before it’s safe to share what you want to share?

Not trying to cherry pick alignment.  I added an edit to explain why I ask.

Screaming and grunting are for beta males. Groaning and moaning are the appropriate vocalizations on gym climbs. Make it a sex thing, and make sure everyone hears you. 

i think it's incredibly goofy in a good way--not sure it's because i work at a climbing gym and have gotten used to hearing intermittent "weird sex noises" from the cave at ungodly hours of the morning, but i know it's someone who is working at their limits, and thats really awesome & worth respect

that being said i think it's probably different for other climbers when it's a loaded gym at peak hours....but still. grunt away. someone that makes you self conscious about pushing yourself on a route isn't worth your time

Tyler Stockdale wrote:

I will make as much noise as I want or need to. If I need to poop my pants to send, that is between me and handhold Jesus.

the venn diagram of self-punishing triathaletes & climbers is complete

It happens to me sometimes involuntarily. Sorry about that in advance.

If you ain't doing it like this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJNS4VrPUtM, then you ain't doing it right

You mean we aren't supposed to do a karate yell with every move?

When I’m making a move completely at my limit and giving it everything I have, A kind of scream just comes out. It always surprises me a bit. It’s not voluntary. Usually happens when I’m making a very fast powerful pop to a hold. 

My ‘power scream’ is usually a forceful exhale between pursed lips to but if you really gotta yell go for it. Like I make a lot of Unh’s and Urf’s on compression problems if it’s an involuntary thing who cares just don’t be that guy doing it for attention

If you are really climbing at your hardest and pushing yourself, you’re gonna let out a power scream or two. Ain’t nothing to worry about power screaming is not reserved for anyone or any grade 

Whatever happened to eating fish heads for strength? I don’t like that the world has moved on to power grunts. 

A K wrote:

When I was a competitive high school tennis player, I was a terrible screamer - most times I hit the ball hard I would let out some kind of yell. Then I grew up and realized that I was just being obnoxious and making a fool of myself.

There are some tennis players that grunt loudly to keep their opponents off guard (it annoys and distracts opponents).

In the 1988 US Open, Ivan Lendl complained about Andre Agassi's grunting: "When Agassi went for a big shot, his grunt was much louder. It threw off my timing". 

Martina Navratilova said that grunting was a form of cheating: "The grunting has reached an unacceptable level. It is cheating, pure and simple. It is time for something to be done"

Used to go to Gold's Gym and the big guns could not lift anything without vocalizations. I think it preps the mind and body for them. 

My power scream is my mating call. Very effective... Lemme tell ya 

J W wrote:

Slab climbing appears to be enjoying a renaissance.

There's plenty of noisemaking in slab, especially if you're doing it wrong.

Beth C wrote:

There's plenty of noisemaking in slab, especially if you're doing it wrong.

I believe that is called crying............

Nothing wrong with it.  On the other hand, five dudes watching you climb and screaming at you is beyond lame.

Remember when climbing wasn't PC?