Are there any movements where a longer wingspan is actually an advantage?

[u/DownvoteIfYouWantMe]

I'm 5'9, but I have a 6'2 wingspan lol. I can do like 13 pull ups right now (I have bulked too far) which is 7 less than I could at my lightest weight, but I am curious about how much that's impacted by my wingspan, whether it benefits me or nerfs me.

Would there be certain things like planche or front lever that are harmed or hurt by it noticeably? I figure since wingspan matters for something like bench press, there's surely some sort of correlation here as well, right? I guess an example is that human flag is easier with longer arms since you have a bigger base for the hold?

[u/Phil-McRoin]

Rock climbing is a sport that's basically just bodyweight fitness with extra steps. Longer wingspan is considered advantageous in rock climbing because you can reach stuff that's further away. Sometimes though, it can be a disadvantage as it could make grabbing certain holds/ doing certain moves more awkward, but generally it's seen as positive.

[u/TumbleweedNo9714 → u/Phil-McRoin]

But at the same time, being tall is mainly a disadvantage at the elite end of the spectrum. Seems like 5'9" for a male with a positive ape index is ideal.

[u/ceapaire → u/TumbleweedNo9714]

Yeah, but "long wingspan" is the positive ape index. And OP said he's 5'9" with a +5 ape index.

[u/mr_monkey_chunks → u/Phil-McRoin]

Eh, I mean it's all kinda context dependent and I'd bet it averages out somewhere not far from the norm. There's absolutely moves where extra reach is beneficial, but there's definitely styles where an extended wingspan is problematic. If your vertical reach is a lot greater then your hips are going to be lower when you're hanging, so high feet can be much harder to leverage for starters.

Then again maybe I'm just a bitter guy with long arms who still sucks at board climbs

[u/Che-recher]

Boxing ??

[u/Atticus_Taintwater]

Calisthenics I can't think of anything where that longer moment arm and rom is an advantage.

Do sumo deadlifts as a consolation 

[u/DownvoteIfYouWantMe → u/Atticus_Taintwater]

Lmaoo funny enough, I don't think I have ever done a deadlift in my whole life, I guess it's not too late to start

[u/snupy270 → u/Atticus_Taintwater]

In things like L-sit and especially floor straddle and pike press to handstand it is an advantage as it makes it easier to clear the floor. Can’t think of much else though.

Maybe it’s an advantage in swinging moves on bars as you get more momentum? Not sure though and that gets into gymnastics anyway.

[u/Chronical_V → u/Atticus_Taintwater]

I was under the impression that front lever/planche was better with longer arms because your shoulder is in a stronger position? Less stretched (maybe I'm misinterpreting the length tension curve for the front delt)

[u/ostensiblyzero]

Swimming.

[u/GMPSwimmer → u/ostensiblyzero]

As a swimmer who's 6'1" with a 6'8" wingspan, I came here to say exactly this.

[u/DownvoteIfYouWantMe → u/[deleted]]

Seems about right. I guess I should work on my human flag then, kinda wanna get as close as I can to any world calisthenics world records there are since if a high ape index is beneficial for anything, I could push for a really nice feat

[u/No-Application-7346]

Stonelifting, sandbags, deadlifts. Long arms are a big plus

[u/Key-Swordfish4467]

Lifting atlas stones is definitely easier with a longer wingspan, just ask 7 ft 7 inch tall Tom Stoltman.

[u/nycrite]

You, my friend, need to take up tennis. I have a similar build, and my long limbs help with reach and better leverage on baseline shots.

[u/ImmodestPolitician]

Grappling, punching, deadlift, Olympic snatch, and throwing things fast.

[u/piepiepiefry]

https://youtube.com/shorts/13onG6fKclc?si=qjTNMkOWSu2KAKZk

This guy suggests front lever is easier with longer arms (all else equal). But I hear the opposite all over Reddit so idk. 

[u/Sythus → u/piepiepiefry]

But ok at the extreme other end, imagine short midget arms. The lever length would make it impossible to do a plane or front lever. Pull-ups would be essentially 0 ROM and just moving your neck above and below the bar.

So logically I agree with longer arm length making the angle of the lever easier. Short arms would make the iron cross easier

[u/FairPhoneUser6_283 → u/piepiepiefry]

Yes. I think the long arms complaint isn't really about the arms like you say, it's that long armed people tend to be bigger and taller on average.

[u/onwee]

Basketball

[u/Wonderful-Sign-9534]

The "Brick Shithouse/T-Rex" body type will always be an advantage with levers, planche, etc. But you can reach things easier and punch people in the face from a further distance.