Barefoot Rowing

[old] engage · Post by **[old] engage** » September 21st, 2004, 1:28 pm

Hello. This is my first post. I purchase a model D last year and have used it alot. I am interested in rowing barefoot and at one time had found a web site that either sold a soft-fuzzy foot strap or had directions on how to build one. Can anyone point me in the right direction here? Also, I row for about 25 minutes/day. For the last several minutes of the row, the upper half of my butt aches. I have install the seat pad accessory, but I get the same result. Any suggestions. Thanks.

[old] seat5 · Post by **[old] seat5** » September 21st, 2004, 1:39 pm

Go to <a href='http://www.ps-sport.net/' target='_blank'>http://www.ps-sport.net/</a> for Paul Smith's website. He has directions for making these heel straps, or you can buy them from him; also, highly recommended, check out the CBreeze for a nice cool breeze while rowing. Carla

[old] raverlaw · Post by **[old] raverlaw** » September 21st, 2004, 2:29 pm

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td class='genmed'>QUOTE (engage @ Sep 21 2004, 12:28 PM)</td></tr><tr><td class='quote'> Also, I row for about 25 minutes/day. For the last several minutes of the row, the upper half of my butt aches. I have install the seat pad accessory, but I get the same result. Any suggestions.  </td></tr></table> Hi, I have the same problem. I purchased the seat pad, and have tried it with and without the little "cheek" cut-outs. What works best for me is to remove the cheek cut-outs and then use a folded-over sheet of bubble wrap on top of that. I can go about an hour now without numbness. Anything over that and I still get a little numb and need to take a short break. I did a half-marathon last week and found that a 30 second stand-up break every 7000 meters kept me going pretty well.

[old] John Rupp · Post by **[old] John Rupp** » September 21st, 2004, 2:40 pm

Good question. I row barefoot on the model B, however am curious how people row barefoot on the model C and D, as I will be getting one of those eventually. On the model B, I have glued semi soft rubber on the backs of the foot stops. These protect my heels and don't bother them at all. I don't use the straps on easy days, and have them duct taped for faster days. The smooth plastic tape provides a frictionless area for my feet. I would recommend not using any kind of strap on your heels. If you're going to use straps then use the regular straps that come with the erg. Otherwise don't use any straps. My butt ached when I first got the model B. I changed to a seat for the model C and this was much better. Your muscles will get used to the exercise the more rowing you do. Here are some suggestions that are helpful for me and might be for you too. Use unpadded fitness or cycling shorts; Take breaks when your butt starts to ache, then start rowing again; Don't use any pad on the seat; Avoid using cotton as that absorbs moisture; Keep your weight balanced between your feet and your butt. I have rowed 108 km in a day this way and it is much more comfortable then with padding that absorbs and holds in moisture.

[old] dadams · Post by **[old] dadams** » September 21st, 2004, 3:48 pm

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td class='genmed'>QUOTE (John Rupp @ Sep 21 2004, 01:40 PM)</td></tr><tr><td class='quote'> I row barefoot on the model B, however am curious how people row barefoot on the model C and D, as I will be getting one of those eventually.  </td></tr></table> John, I use the C2 socks (so I guess I'm not technically barefoot). They have a nice thick heel section that aids in the prevention of blisters. Dwayne

[old] Xavier · Post by **[old] Xavier** » September 21st, 2004, 3:51 pm

I've rowed barefoot for many a 60min session, and the only problem that I've had (on a model C) is that very very occasionally one of my heels would slip out because of the ... errr ... added lubrication of the sweat dripping down my legs. Generally I haven't found it a problem at all, although it is more hygenic to wear socks, if you're training in a shared gym. Remember that putting the footplate one higher than you would rowing normally in shoes is a good idea, if you've decided to change. Xav

[old] Rocket Roy · Post by **[old] Rocket Roy** » September 21st, 2004, 3:52 pm

When Roland Baltius recommended rowing in barefeet or socks, because you lose some energy in the shoes. I thought I'd give it a go. Since the 30 Aug I have rowed everyday in socks, except for the last 4 days when I have rowed in barefeet. I find my feet cling into the footplates better with barefeet, as with socks they tended to slip out at the heel occasionally. I was fully expecting blisters and cuts and sores, but nothing at all. I row usually up to 20k a day at a fairly demanding pace, and it's so much better in bare feet, I find I lose a lot of heat thru my feet which is great. just started the intervals and still no problems with the feet. I recommend it

[old] SteveV · Post by **[old] SteveV** » September 21st, 2004, 4:50 pm

how do you stop the straps cutting into your feet ??

[old] PaulS · Post by **[old] PaulS** » September 21st, 2004, 5:05 pm

</div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td class='genmed'>QUOTE (SteveV @ Sep 21 2004, 08:50 PM)</td></tr><tr><td class='quote'> how do you stop the straps cutting into your feet ??  </td></tr></table> By not using them.. Swing slings for heel comfort. see: www.ps-sport.net Barefoot is good in a boat, especially when you have to launch by wading into the water. - Paul Smith

[old] SteveV · Post by **[old] SteveV** » September 21st, 2004, 5:15 pm

OK good answer Paul But I think Roy is using straps, I found that without shoes the straps dug into my upper foot

[old] John Rupp · Post by **[old] John Rupp** » September 21st, 2004, 6:07 pm

For those rowing barefoot on the model C, don't the sharp edges at the top of the foot stops bother your heels? Or are the foot stops rounded in back. As to the straps, yes, they do cut into your feet. That's why I wrap mine with duct tape. A few drops of olive oil on your feet where the straps go can be helpful too. An alternative or addition to the duct tape is to cut the end off a pair of nylon socks and slide these on the straps. I've not tried this yet but it should work, and would be useful for gym machines.

[old] Kudos · Post by **[old] Kudos** » September 21st, 2004, 7:15 pm

Long time barefoot rower. sure your feet get blistered, just like your hands when you row. Its a friction point so there will naturally be blisters but eventually you get a callus. To keep my heels from sweat slipping, I simply went to a pharmacy and bought some what I call athletic gauze wrap. It spongy looking and sticks to itself without adhesive. 3M makes a blue kind that works okay. It eventually wears out but just give it a re-wrap. As far as the straps cutting into the tops of your feet, you should not be pulling with your toes/knuckles up that much to get up the recovery. Instead, concentrate on pulling down with your heels. To practice, row with your feet out. For the water rowers this is drill to reduce check.

[old] Rocket Roy · Post by **[old] Rocket Roy** » September 22nd, 2004, 3:55 am

Hi Steve, No adjustments at all to the erg, just the same as with shoes and socks except without them.

[old] ranger · Post by **[old] ranger** » September 22nd, 2004, 4:08 am

Yes, because I had to launch my boat this summer by wading (rather than pushing off from a dock), I always rowed barefoot. My feet blistered at first, but this slowly went away as callouses replaced the blisters. Some of the blistering, I think, was also just poor relaxation and balance, which also slowly improved. Now my feet no longer blister. My hands blistered badly at first, too, but these blisters also slowly turned to callouses and went away. The hands also improve dramatically as you learn to relax more fully. I never erg barefoot. I don't like it at all. ranger

[old] Canoeist · Post by **[old] Canoeist** » September 22nd, 2004, 9:04 am

I find that my arch isn't supported when rowing barefoot and this contributes to my ankle problems. Cheers, Paul Flack

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