Left/right side stroke imbalance

[btb1490]

How can you find out if you're stroke is imbalanced on the erg, i.e. you use one side of your body more than the other during a stroke? I would imagine on the water it would be more apparent, but I'm not a water rower. I'm sure there are some slight natural imbalances due to being left or right side dominant, but I'm having hip issues on one side only and I'm wondering if it may be due to excessively using one side more than the other. Thanks!

[mikvan52]

Imbalances of this nature are often due to leg length discrepancies. <- A chiropractor could check that for you

• ANOTHER SOURCE: Disk problems and/or misalignment of the spine.

If you fear you have an issue that is less drastic... Be certain to spend adequate time stretching and evaluate flexibility on each side...

[btb1490]

Thanks for the reply. I've had my leg length checked a few times over the years, and that's never been an issue. Something is out of whack though, it seems I usually end up sitting crooked on my seat by the end of my sessions. The mystery continues.

[jvincent]

Are your arms the same length?

Mine are not, about 1/2" difference, and if I hold the handle on the same spot, I can see the chain at an angle instead of going straight back. I have to shift my longer arm a little further up the hand to get it to go straight back.

[btb1490]

I never thought of the arm length issue, and have never had mine checked. I wonder if being skewed like that would lead to favoring on leg over another?

[jvincent]

I don't know, but I do know that if I don't watch it and I start pulling off center I get off balance and my form suffers.

[dwalk]

I would check flexibility in the hips,hamstrings, even ankles like mikvan52 suggested.

[mikvan52]

I would check flexibility in the hips,hamstrings, even ankles like mikvan52 suggested.

Row in front of a mirror... Check everything with bi-lateral symmetry issues in mind...
I find that it's harder to row symmetrically than I once thought.

SOme coaching would help too...

If you don;t have anyone well versed around: Have someone take a short video changing the vantage point avery few strokes = Front, side, back, other side...

Post the video here or send it to me in a PM (personal message)..