To Slide or not to slide

[warnie]

Hi guys,

as I'm getting a little older, like many I get the odd niggle in my lower back, I don't want to stop training as I enjoy it too much and my health is improving all the time thanks to the bike, erg and skierg! I'm considering buying some slides and wondered what people thought of them?

I'm more than happy to put all the time I need to get to grips with the new way of rowing so that's not a problem. I won't be using the slides to get ready for the water as that is not an option for me, all about increasing my time on the erg and enjoying myself. Be great to know what people think. I had considered the dynamic C2 and even the RP3 but I've more or less ruled both of them out. Space is no issue and they will remain in place once bought. Thanks all.

[jamesg]

The fixed erg needs a slightly different style to boats and moving ergs, due the catch.

If we overdo the fixed erg catch force, or use arms first, in order to reach flywheel speed asap, or don't have a strong posture there, it seems possible that back problems can arise.

So I'd look first at catch posture: back straight, shoulders forward of the slide, knee angle >45°, shins vertical. All of which can be influenced by the recovery sequence: hands away, then swing, then slide: as if on water, where we can't lift the handle over the knees.

I've been erging for 20+ years now, and if anything it cured my back problems, caused by cars and desks, as from day 1.

[Sakly]

I've been erging for 20+ years now, and if anything it cured my back problems, caused by cars and desks, as from day 1.

Not near to the amount of years using an erg, but fully agree.
Since I started erging, any slight problem with the back got better on the erg.

[stevegaspars]

Since I started erging, any slight problem with the back got better on the erg.

Same here. Although i have hurt it plenty of times also doing things i probably had no business doing, such as intensive workouts without warming up properly or my all time dumbest moment with a low pull workout on max DF.

But to answer the OP's post, go for slides. It's great fun, more challenging and it is so much easier on the back. When i had back pain recently, slides were the only way i could row without really aggravating it (or also rowing in a real boat).

[warnie]

Thanks guys for the reply. I should have added in the initial post that my back niggles have not been caused by rowing - more like you've said outside forces and picking something up I shouldn't have!!! I was just hoping that slides will add a different way of training, a bit more fun and less strain on my back!

[HornetMaX]

I had considered the dynamic C2 and even the RP3 but I've more or less ruled both of them out. Space is no issue and they will remain in place once bought. Thanks all.

Out of curiosity, why did you rule out the dynamic c2 ?

I'm periodically tempted to try one (but wouldn't know where I could do that here in France).

[warnie]

I had considered the dynamic C2 and even the RP3 but I've more or less ruled both of them out. Space is no issue and they will remain in place once bought. Thanks all.

Out of curiosity, why did you rule out the dynamic c2 ?

I'm periodically tempted to try one (but wouldn't know where I could do that here in France).

Couple of things that have me guessing myself on the dynamic - I've read that it's not the most stable of machines (unlike the static erg) but possibly the biggst thing is that it's dynamic or nothing. If I went static erg I can add slides and deside when and if I want to use the erg as a static machine. If that makes sense?

[HornetMaX]

I had considered the dynamic C2 and even the RP3 but I've more or less ruled both of them out. Space is no issue and they will remain in place once bought. Thanks all.

Out of curiosity, why did you rule out the dynamic c2 ?

I'm periodically tempted to try one (but wouldn't know where I could do that here in France).

Couple of things that have me guessing myself on the dynamic - I've read that it's not the most stable of machines (unlike the static erg) but possibly the biggst thing is that it's dynamic or nothing. If I went static erg I can add slides and deside when and if I want to use the erg as a static machine. If that makes sense?

Thanks ! But what do you mean by "stable" ?

[jag]

I guess I’m the old timer then, first used an erg 50 years ago next month (obviously not a C2, which had not yet been invented). Once C2 was in business, I started with a model A and have owned every model, A,B,C,D,E, and every PM. And no back problems to report, I believe keeping active is a big part of that. I don’t feel like there is a difference in back protection between the two, most of my rowing has been done without slides.

I have a model E on slides in one home, model D w/o slides in the other. I prefer the feel of the one on slides. Slides do require a bit more care while rowing to prevent hitting the back or front, but the technique is easily adjusted to. Rowing on slides feels smoother, and you feel more powerful. And the smooth power of the slides DOES feel much more like being on the water, another plus.

That said, the downside to slides is extra floor space required: a few feet longer and about a foot wider. And not suitable where you have foot-traffic: slides are sharpish steel squares on the floor that are a tripping and kick-pain hazard, so not good with kids or old people running about. Slides are really only suitable for dedicated exercise space, basement, attic, etc. Because I do not have space in one of our houses to dedicate to exercise, that is the one not on slides.

[Tsnor]

.. I'm considering buying some slides and wondered what people thought of them?
... Space is no issue and they will remain in place once bought. Thanks all.

I don't personally like slides, but might if I used them regularly. My club has a large set of slides, but setup time is long compared to just rolling the egs out and rowing so they rarely get used.

Since you have the space and will leave them set up there seems very little downside to getting slides.

There are no modifications needed to the erg, you just put it on top. If you find you like rowing without slides better then you can remove them until you decide to try them again. If you decide not to keep them they will sell quickly on ebay, etc.

The C2 erg is not light. On slides it really feels strange having the entire machine move. Again, if I spent more time on slides I'm sure it would seem normal. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILopw3en2UQ (no, that's not me).

[jag]

The C2 erg is not light. On slides it really feels strange having the entire machine move. Again, if I spent more time on slides I'm sure it would seem normal.

Have you ever rowed on the water? The C2 erg is about the same weight as a single scull with oars, so motion is actually very similar to being on the water in a real shell.

As I said, I really like the feel of the slides, but really only appropriate to leave it set up where you won’t have much foot traffic around it.

[Tsnor]

The C2 erg is not light. On slides it really feels strange having the entire machine move. Again, if I spent more time on slides I'm sure it would seem normal.

Have you ever rowed on the water? The C2 erg is about the same weight as a single scull with oars, so motion is actually very similar to being on the water in a real shell.

As I said, I really like the feel of the slides, but really only appropriate to leave it set up where you won’t have much foot traffic around it.

Yes, I row OTW 3 days/week from March to end Oct. Sweeps, 8s and 4s. I don't scull.

The last single scull I lifted was lighter than an erg. C2 erg is 57 lb (26 kg), Scull was I'd guess around 35 lbs which for a 26 foot long boat feels shockingly light. Add another 10 lbs with the oars so I agree mass is pretty close.

That said, my point was not about the feel of the mass moved while erg'ing, I was saying it's really weird having the 57 lbs C2 erg fly forward and back as you row. It just doesn't look like something that should be moving in the air. Again, if I erg'ed with slides often I'm sure it would feel normal. I agree that OP should get them and try it out given their initial post. For me though, if offered a free pair of slides I'd decline them.

[Cyclist2]

I've been using slides for years. Much smoother, lighter catch than the static. It is easier on my back. The technique to prevent banging into the ends is mastered in about five strokes on the first three rows, comes naturally after that. I recommend them for a more enjoyable (if indoor exercise can be enjoyable ) rowing session. I only use a static erg a few weeks before erg races to get used to it again.

Clubs use them linked up to get the feel of synchronization and timing in larger crew boats. If you have a chance to do that with other people, that is a lot of fun.

Others have commented that if you don't like them, they can be sold fairly quickly. If space is not problem, then go for it.

[warnie]

Thanks for all the replies and comments guys, really is appreciated and valuable information received.

I popped into the garage/gym today for a 12k row at lunch and I thought I'd measure 11ft (that's the distance concept say you need for slides) and I really was shocked how much more floor space that's required above the concept2! So much so it has now seriously got me wondering if I can make slides work. I need to spend a few days trying to move things around! I do have the room but it's going to take up a lot more floor space than I'd anticipated.

I did call concept2 today to discuss Dynamic availability and I was shocked at how quick I can get one - less than a week! So the Dynamic is definitely an option. I'm guessing the learning curve from static to dynamic would be the same as from static to slides? Cheers once again.

[warnie]

Update - New Rowerg ordered along with slides! I've been able to make it work and have the space to leave the slides down permanently if I want. I've also taken a level to the gym area of the garage and that's all good so happy to go. Just a case of learning how to row again now!

Ordered this morning, everything due to be delivered on Monday!