Concept 2 - Loose Foot Straps

[Romper]

Hello.

Working a gym unit atm.

The foot straps always cone loose. I am wearing runners.

How to always retain tension on these straps so they don’t come loose ?

I am not ready to not use straps a this stage - so this is not a viable solution. I still need these straps to secure my feet.



Romper

[Citroen]

The foot straps always cone loose.

Turn the loose end of the strap back through the buckle.

[Sakly]

And try to not pull hard at the straps with your feet during row - this will reduce the effect and will teach you not to rely on the straps for your stop and release.

[Romper]

Thanks for those tips…

Suggested ways / tips to try and not pull too hard at the straps by the feet?

I find my feet raise off the pads at end of stroke.

Romper

[adouglas]

Visualize pointing your toes as you finish the stroke.

[JaapvanE]

Suggested ways / tips to try and not pull too hard at the straps by the feet?

I had the same issue, and I started rowing without straps. It sounds impossible, but some people here as well as Shane Famer suggested it, and it did wonders for my form.

[Dangerscouse]

I very rarely row with straps now. Only if I know I'm going to be consistently over r26 will I strap in. Apart from that they're not needed.

The first time you do it will feel very strange, and like you're going to fly off the back of the erg. It only gets easier with practice, but there's no need that I can think of that wouldn't make it advisable at any stage of experience.

As adouglas said, point your toes, and centre your gravity ie don't let your momentum keep going backwards. It will use your core strength a lot more as you'll use that to keep yourself grounded.

[Carl Watts]

As Citroen suggested you "Double tuck" the end of the strap back over and through again.

I have my straps pretty loose and I don't even do the shoe laces up if I row in running shoes.

I don't recommend rowing without the straps.

[JaapvanE]

I don't recommend rowing without the straps.

Could you explain why?

[Ombrax]

I am not ready to not use straps a this stage - so this is not a viable solution. I still need these straps to secure my feet.

Strapless may not be a short-term solution, but it's worth thinking about for two related reasons:

1) If the reason the straps are coming loose as you row is that you're slamming into them, that's a red flag that should be addressed asap.

2) Over time if you can reduce your need for them that's probably a sign that your technique is improving.

Good luck fixing your problem.

[Romper]

Thanks Ombrax.

Great points to consider.


Cheers

[Carl Watts]

I don't recommend rowing without the straps.

Could you explain why?

Firstly its pointless and secondly the day your one way clutch bearing lets go you will be off the back of the rower on your head.

Loose straps loose shoes, don't even tie my laces, nothing to be gained from rowing strapless and its WAY more comfortable.

The only drawback is getting the straps to tight and cutting off the circulation and you foot goes numb. Just double tuck the strap and leave your shoes on the rower.

[Romper]

@Carl Watts

How do you maintain solid consistent contact of feet / shoes during and end of the stroke?


Romper

[Ombrax]

There's some discussion of the issue here:

https://www.concept2.com/news/necessity-foot-straps

(I happen to row strapless 99.99999% of the time, but will be the first to admit that it isn't for everyone.)

[JaapvanE]

Loose straps loose shoes, don't even tie my laces, nothing to be gained from rowing strapless and its WAY more comfortable.

Thanks, I'll try that next time and see if it works for me.