Seat Pad

Maintenance, accessories, operation. Anything to do with making your erg work.
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BJMoose
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Seat Pad

Post by BJMoose » March 29th, 2009, 11:05 am

After losing a bunch of weight, I've been left with very little natural posterior padding, which presents the usual problem. That is, finding a way to row for extended periods while avoiding (literally) black & blue marks on my cheeks.

All my rowing is currently done at a gym, so the C2 pad isn't an option. And, while the bubble wrap option mostly does the trick (comfort-wise), it has a tendency to slide around. However, I have stumbled across another commercial item . . . has anyone here tried a Skwoosh seat pad? While I wouldn't at all mind spending the $30+ if it does work, it'd be nice to know up-front that it at least has a shot at doing so.

sekitori
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Re: Seat Pad

Post by sekitori » March 29th, 2009, 4:32 pm

BJMoose wrote:After losing a bunch of weight, I've been left with very little natural posterior padding, which presents the usual problem. That is, finding a way to row for extended periods while avoiding (literally) black & blue marks on my cheeks.

All my rowing is currently done at a gym, so the C2 pad isn't an option. And, while the bubble wrap option mostly does the trick (comfort-wise), it has a tendency to slide around. However, I have stumbled across another commercial item . . . has anyone here tried a Skwoosh seat pad? While I wouldn't at all mind spending the $30+ if it does work, it'd be nice to know up-front that it at least has a shot at doing so.
I use a piece of one inch thick medium density foam rubber and it works very well for me. It's stable and it won't slide around. It's the same size as the seat but with a "V" cut out in the rear matching the concavity in the back of the seat. It looks exactly like the pad sold by C2, but I think it provides much better cushioning. Any store selling foam rubber can cut it to size using a saw made to cut foam rubber. You actually can cut the foam yourself with scissors and while it may not look as good as the job the professionals can do, it will serve the purpose.

The price for such a pad cut to size should be around five bucks or so. If you buy the foam and cut it yourself, it should cost even less. These stores often have foam scraps measuring the proper size (anything over 10 by 12 inches) that they will sell for very little. Before spending $30+ for a commercial seat pad (which may or may not work), I would recommend trying a simple foam rubber pad first.

BJMoose
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Post by BJMoose » March 29th, 2009, 5:12 pm

Thanks, Sekitori. A couple (more) questions for you. Is what you're referring to what some of us would call memory foam? And, is its surface such that there's little risk of sliding around?

I'll never argue with trying an inexpensive, low-tech solution first! :)

carlb
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Re: Seat Pad

Post by carlb » April 7th, 2009, 12:27 pm

BJMoose wrote:All my rowing is currently done at a gym, so the C2 pad isn't an option.
I own the C2 Pad and I would say it is an option for you. The adhesive is designed like a sticknote to be put down and pulled up repeatedly without leaving a residue. The "cover" that goes over the sticky side was good enough for reuse. Could probably use wax paper too. I think it was only $4 so it seems like an easy first thing to try. I like mine.

You could try to find the "Sore No More Seat Pad" which I just Googled and found for $40.

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tjf0
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Post by tjf0 » April 7th, 2009, 9:07 pm

I agree with carlb that the C2 Pad is an option. when I first got mine I pulled it on and off a lot without any problems until I got use to it. It is designed to take off and on. So you could take it to the gym an duse it and just take it off.
Tim
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jamesg
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Post by jamesg » April 8th, 2009, 12:30 am

I've used all sorts of systems, none much use, so normally don't bother. A folded towel is as good as anything. More critical seems to be to avoid rolling the pelvis at the release, sitting straight with little or no lean-back but plenty of reach forward, so that the weight stays as much as possible on the feet, not on the rear.
08-1940, 183cm, 83kg.
2024: stroke 5.5W-min@20-21. ½k 190W, 1k 145W, 2k 120W. Using Wods 4-5days/week. Fading fast.

BJMoose
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Post by BJMoose » April 8th, 2009, 5:36 am

jamesg wrote:More critical seems to be to avoid rolling the pelvis at the release, sitting straight with little or no lean-back but plenty of reach forward, so that the weight stays as much as possible on the feet, not on the rear.
I appreciate all the various suggestions, and will try some beyond my current home-made, bubble wrap solution. However, I'll admit being confused by the above. Think you could you elaborate further on how one alters their form so as to move body weight from their bottom to their feet?

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