New To Rowing... ? On Muscles

[[old] rowDC]

Hi All!<br /><br />So I have has this fascination with crew as a sport my entire life - don't know why! Anyhow, I didn't have an outlet for it where I grew up but now that I live in DC, they have plenty of rowing clubs, I'm excited. <br /><br />I am plan on joining one in about a month or so. Before I do that, and during, I started training today on the indoor rower. I just LOVED it! <br /><br />I have a question. I know rowing is a great all around low impact sport (which is just what I need) - I am wondering does it tone your abs at all?? I can feel it my arms, legs, back etc but not so much in the abs. So I was just curious...<br /><br />I look forward to learning from you all! <br /><br />Erin

[[old] Xeno]

<!--QuoteBegin-rowDC+Jul 3 2005, 03:55 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(rowDC @ Jul 3 2005, 03:55 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Hi All!<br /><br />So I have has this fascination with crew as a sport my entire life - don't know why! Anyhow, I didn't have an outlet for it where I grew up but now that I live in DC, they have plenty of rowing clubs, I'm excited. <br /><br />I am plan on joining one in about a month or so. Before I do that, and during, I started training today on the indoor rower. I just LOVED it! <br /><br />I have a question. I know rowing is a great all around low impact sport (which is just what I need) - I am wondering does it tone your abs at all?? I can feel it my arms, legs, back etc but not so much in the abs. So I was just curious...<br /><br />I look forward to learning from you all!  <br /><br />Erin <br /> </td></tr></table><br />Hi Erin<br />Abs can get a workout while rowing if, you sit up and hinge the upper body from the hip joint while supporting the small of your back.<br />At the Iron Oarsman we have invented a few ab exercises which strengthen the entire midsection. <br />Have a great summer,<br />XENO

[[old] Maxel]

Hi,<br />best decision you ever made (starting training)<br /> but what means abs?<br /><br />"I can feel it my arms, legs, back etc but not so much in the abs. So I was just curious..."<br /><br />I'm form Germany and so it can be, that i don't now some expression, but also in my dictoonary, i haven't found "abs"<br /> <br />If it mean a muscle i guess: either you must work harder or it's noch muscle, which used by rowing.<br /><br />But 'cause of my unknowing of "abs" i can't give a right explication<br /><br />Greets Maxel

[[old] Xeno]

<!--QuoteBegin-Maxel+Jul 3 2005, 04:15 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Maxel @ Jul 3 2005, 04:15 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Hi,<br />best decision you ever made (starting training)<br /> but what means abs?<br /><br />"I can feel it my arms, legs, back etc but not so much in the abs. So I was just curious..."<br /><br />I'm form Germany and so it can be, that i don't now some expression, but also in my dictoonary, i haven't found "abs"<br /> <br />If it mean a muscle i guess: either you must work harder or it's noch muscle, which used by rowing.<br /><br />But 'cause of my unknowing of "abs" i can't give a right explication<br /><br />Greets Maxel <br /> </td></tr></table><br />Hi<br />ABS = Abdominal muscles<br />XENO

[[old] Maxel]

ahh ok, thanks<br />then i think you need a better "body-fixture"<br /><br />Have also a great summer<br />Maxel

[[old] rowDC]

<!--QuoteBegin-Maxel+Jul 3 2005, 05:21 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Maxel @ Jul 3 2005, 05:21 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->ahh ok, thanks<br />then i think you need a better "body-fixture"<br /><br />Have also a great summer<br />Maxel <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br /><br />Maxel,<br />Thanks for your post but now I am the one who is lost in translation.... what do you mean by "body fixture"? Do you mean using a different machine to work on the stomach muscles?<br /><br />Thanks again!<br />Erin

[[old] rowDC]

[/quote]<br />Hi Erin<br />Abs can get a workout while rowing if, you sit up and hinge the upper body from the hip joint while supporting the small of your back.<br />At the Iron Oarsman we have invented a few ab exercises which strengthen the entire midsection. <br />Have a great summer,<br />XENO <br />[/quote]<br /><br />XENO,<br /><br />Can you tell me some of the ab exercises you learned at the Iron Oarsman? And also, how do you pronounce your name? Is the X like a Z as in "zeeno"?<br /><br />Thanks!<br />Erin<br />

[[old] Maxel]

Haha yeah, i don't know, wether "body-fixture" is right, but i've looked in an online-dictionary an found no better expressions, but i'll try to explain:<br />During the first phase of the drive...<br /><img src='http://www.concept2.com/05/rower/media/ ... _color.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' /><br /><br />...you have to keep your body right in form and don't swing around. Your back should be straight and so you have "Körperspannung" (my translation: "body-fixture"). <br />One example for "Körperspannung": you tense all muscles, which hold your body in form, and abandon backwards. A person behind you stops your fall and your body stays right. It seems like the person hold no body, but a ladder.<br />If you can do it, then you would have a good "Körperspannung" (body fixture)<br /><br />I hope you can understand my explanation....(i know: not the best english)<br />Maxel

[[old] rowmantic]

"body-fixture" is right, but i've looked in an online-dictionary an found no better expressions, but i'll try to explain:<br /><br />...you have to keep your body right in form and don't swing around. Your back should be straight and so you have "Körperspannung" (my translation: "body-fixture"). <br />One example for "Körperspannung": you tense all muscles, which hold your body in form, and abandon backwards. <br />I hope you can understand my explanation....(i know: not the best english)<br />Maxel<br /><br />Hi Maxel,<br /> I think the translation for Korperspannung (no umlauts available on my key board) might be best translated as "body tension" which you did describe in your explanation. A fixture for us in English usually means something held in place such as a light on a ceiling. <br /> Your English is quite good. <br />~Grace

[[old] John Rupp]

Maxel,<br /><br />Good explanation and nice diagram. <br /><br />Thanks!

[[old] Maxel]

Thanks Thanks.<br />It was a really big labor to compose this explanation, but if it helps, i say:<br />"No problem"<br /><br />Maxel

[[old] rowDC]

Thanks Maxel! I loved your Diagram and great explanation!

[[old] billandmargaret]

Here's the short answer to your question: YES, rowing is great for your abs. When I first started rowing, the other muscles you mentioned were pretty well exercised from swimming & bicycling, so I felt the rowing in my abs. Also, I notice my stomach exercises are easier when I've been rowing consistently.<br /><br />There are many good abs exercises. Here are some classics:<br /><br />"crunches" (like situps, but just lifting head & shoulders off ground, to feel it in abs, don't need to continue up to knees). Work up to 3 sets of 20.<br /><br />"penguin" as above, on back with knees bent, lift head & shoulders, but this time reach arms down sides towards feet, reaching first towards one foot then the other. Work up to 3 sets of 20.<br /><br />"bicycle crunch" again on back, knees bent, head and shoulders lifted off ground, this time first twist right elbow towards left knee while stretching right leg out for balance, then switch. Keep head & shoulders raised throughout. Another good way to visualize this is that your twisting your trunk as far as possible as though trying to look behind you, while pulling the "opposite" knee in towards you. Work up to 3 sets of 20.<br /><br />pushup variation--not a push up--lay on floor, face down. Curl toes under and raise your body up keeping it straight like a board using abs, resting on your forearms. Keep your body straight and supported by engaging abs and pushing down through forearms, and count to 20 or 30 (seconds). Repeat 2-3 times.<br /><br />Have fun!<br /><br />Margaret