Best Tip You Ever Received

[[old] Maddog]

Read one the other day that said that the handle should be released as fast as it is pulled into the stomach and found that really helped as previously I had been holding it in for a bit.<br /><br />Whats the best tip you ever got?

[[old] Bayko]

<!--QuoteBegin-Maddog+Nov 12 2005, 04:20 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Maddog @ Nov 12 2005, 04:20 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Read one the other day that said that the handle should be released as fast as it is pulled into the stomach and found that really helped as previously I had been holding it in for a bit.<br /><br />Whats the best tip you ever got? <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br /><br />Without a doubt, Paul Smith's S10MPS has been the single best tip out of the many good things I've learned from the forum.<br /><br />Rick

[[old] Bill]

<!--QuoteBegin-Bayko+Nov 12 2005, 03:20 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Bayko @ Nov 12 2005, 03:20 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin--><!--QuoteBegin-Maddog+Nov 12 2005, 04:20 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Maddog @ Nov 12 2005, 04:20 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Read one the other day that said that the handle should be released as fast as it is pulled into the stomach and found that really helped as previously I had been holding it in for a bit.<br /><br />Whats the best tip you ever got? <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br /><br />Without a doubt, Paul Smith's S10MPS has been the single best tip out of the many good things I've learned from the forum.<br /><br />Rick <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Row strapless (PaulS again)<br /><br />Push hard with legs<br /><br />Bill<br />

[[old] FrankJ]

<!--QuoteBegin-Bayko+Nov 12 2005, 08:20 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Bayko @ Nov 12 2005, 08:20 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Without a doubt, Paul Smith's S10MPS has been the single best tip out of the many good things I've learned from the forum.<br /><br />Rick <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Rick is right on with this one. S10PS taught me how to get all of the power into the stroke and not wasted catching myself with the straps. <br /><br />Frank

[[old] Stretch]

"Doesn't matter how hard you pull, it's never going to go anywhere dude!" -- Random gym rubbernecker.

[[old] Carl Henrik]

"Let the easy days be easy"

[[old] Citroen]

Best tip I've had for any gym activity (not just rowing) is "<u><b>NEVER</b></u> let the back of your throat go dry".

[[old] Byron Drachman]

One of the best tips came from a posting of Mel Harbour, Aug, 2005, which I cut and pasted here:<br /><br /><!--QuoteBegin--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Ok, well, my take is probably a bit contradictory with some bits of what Pete wrote, so hold onto your hats!<br /><br />Agree about getting the recovery right - body needs to be prepared before you reach the catch.<br /><br />It really then depends on what the problem is that you're having with the leg drive. In order to complete the diagnosis you need to understand the concept of connection. When you are in the drive phase of the stroke, you are basically attached to the machine by two points: your hands and your feet. Your body forms a linkage between the two. The instant this strong linkage is destroyed, you will no longer be getting power out of your leg muscles effectively into the handle.<br /><br />You need to feel this connection all the way through the drive therefore.<br /><br />Anyway, if you are getting connected correctly, but feel that you aren't driving strongly enough, then follow Pete's advice. However far more likely is that you are not getting connected. A few ideas:<br /><br />Use a length of rope wrapped round the handle and chain guard (vertical bit below the monitor) to fix the handle at the catch. Then push with your legs to lift your bum about an inch off the seat (no more). Now hold the position for up to a minute. Do not let your bum rise any higher, or let your bum move backwards away from your heels. This is what being connected feels like. Leave your arms straight - if you bend your arms you will sit back down.<br /><br />Then put the damper right up on 10 and row at quite a low rate (16-18). Don't hurry out of frontstops. Try and get the feeling of being light on your seat before you let the seat move away from your heels. You'll need to time the change of direction quite well to do this. Don't worry about being quick through the drive - it's not important.<br /><br />Then drop the damper back to 3-4 and try and row without using any muscular effort at all. Just hook your weight onto the handle and then let your bodyweight take you backwards. As an extension to this, when you get to 2/3 of the drive done, just put a tiny blip of muscular force in to accelerate the legs and back through to the finish of the stroke together.<br /><br />Then just build it up from there, but always keep connecting first! No matter how fast you're going (other than a 100m sprint!) it's very rare that you see people coming out of frontstops too slowly.<br /><br />Mel <br /><br /> </td></tr></table> <br /><br />I also got a personal tip from Paul Smith, who told me I was overreaching at the catch and opening the back too early. <br /><br />Finally, the DVD's by Xeno Muller are full of tips, and it's good to practice and review his tips. <br /><br />Byron<br />

[[old] FrankJ]

<!--QuoteBegin-Carl Henrik+Nov 12 2005, 08:03 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Carl Henrik @ Nov 12 2005, 08:03 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->"Let the easy days be easy" <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />While I agree with this statement I'd just like to make an observation here about rowing compared to running. When I turned 50 as a runner one or two hard workouts a week was all I could handle. When I became a rower 3 years ago at 57 I was surprised to find that I could easily handle 3 hard workouts a week and recover easily. Typically even my easy workouts are around 1:56-58 pace. As a rower it is easier to train my CV system hard without beating up my body.<br /><br />Frank

[[old] TLCoons]

Best single tip regarding form:<br /><br />Legs; Back; Arms; Arms; Back; Legs<br /><br />I still use this as a mantra during my stroke to correct sloppy form. I can't remember who wrote it on this forum but I have never forgotten it. A belated thanks to you!

[[old] Sentinal93]

"Keep your heels down"<br /><br />I have yet to actually master it to the level i want, but i found once i stopped lifting my heels so much, i had to keep things more controlled, and my times dropped significantly.

[[old] PaulS]

<b><span style='font-size:12pt;line-height:100%'>"Illigitimi non carborundum"</span></b><br /><br />An essential for all rowers.

[[old] Hal Morgan]

1. row with good technique, speed will come.<br /><br /><br />2. watch Xeno's demostration of rowing technique.<br /><br /><br />3. improve technique on and off water by erging. <br /><br /><br />4. enjoy your health.<br />

[[old] ancho]

"Have fun!"

[[old] dadams]

<!--QuoteBegin-PaulS+Nov 13 2005, 06:33 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(PaulS @ Nov 13 2005, 06:33 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin--><b><span style='font-size:12pt;line-height:100%'>"Illigitimi non carborundum"</span></b><br /><br />An essential for all rowers.   <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />What language (You kiss your wife with that mouth? ). Thought we weren't suppose to swear on the forum.