New rower - What to do?

General discussion on Training. How to get better on your erg, how to use your erg to get better at another sport, or anything else about improving your abilities.
Dangerscouse
Marathon Poster
Posts: 10526
Joined: April 27th, 2014, 11:11 am
Location: Liverpool, England

Re: New rower - What to do?

Post by Dangerscouse » January 10th, 2020, 5:30 am

Just to avoid confusion re: the heels comment, you will probably hear some advice to keep your heel flat the whole time (I know Dark Horse do advise this) but unless you've got really flexible ankles, which is really unlikely, it's going to limit your stroke and only make it more difficult and possibly prone to injury.

Lifting your heels isn't a bad thing as long as you still try and direct the force through your feet and get your heels down as quickly as possible. My ankles aren't great from many sprains playing basketball so they aren't flat for the start of the drive.
50 HWT; 6' 4"; 1k= 3:09; 2k= 6:36; 5k= 17:19; 6k= 20:47; 10k= 35:46 30mins= 8,488m 60mins= 16,618m HM= 1:16.47; FM= 2:40:41; 50k= 3:16:09; 100k= 7:52:44; 12hrs = 153km

"You reap what you row"

Instagram: stuwenman

User avatar
hjs
Marathon Poster
Posts: 10076
Joined: March 16th, 2006, 3:18 pm
Location: Amstelveen the netherlands

Re: New rower - What to do?

Post by hjs » January 10th, 2020, 6:24 am

Dangerscouse wrote:
January 10th, 2020, 5:30 am
Just to avoid confusion re: the heels comment, you will probably hear some advice to keep your heel flat the whole time (I know Dark Horse do advise this) but unless you've got really flexible ankles, which is really unlikely, it's going to limit your stroke and only make it more difficult and possibly prone to injury.

Lifting your heels isn't a bad thing as long as you still try and direct the force through your feet and get your heels down as quickly as possible. My ankles aren't great from many sprains playing basketball so they aren't flat for the start of the drive.
In this case, the op is not reaching vertical shins, so simply he is not coming up enough, the stroke is to short and almost nobody can that. And even when you can reach vertical shins with flat feet, the weight should be on the balls of the feet. Only with the weight on the balls we can use the full leg, including the calves.

User avatar
Eric308
1k Poster
Posts: 132
Joined: February 22nd, 2007, 8:24 pm
Location: Madison, WI

Re: New rower - What to do?

Post by Eric308 » January 10th, 2020, 8:53 am

hjs wrote:
January 10th, 2020, 6:24 am
Dangerscouse wrote:
January 10th, 2020, 5:30 am
Just to avoid confusion re: the heels comment, you will probably hear some advice to keep your heel flat the whole time (I know Dark Horse do advise this) but unless you've got really flexible ankles, which is really unlikely, it's going to limit your stroke and only make it more difficult and possibly prone to injury.

Lifting your heels isn't a bad thing as long as you still try and direct the force through your feet and get your heels down as quickly as possible. My ankles aren't great from many sprains playing basketball so they aren't flat for the start of the drive.
In this case, the op is not reaching vertical shins, so simply he is not coming up enough, the stroke is to short and almost nobody can that. And even when you can reach vertical shins with flat feet, the weight should be on the balls of the feet. Only with the weight on the balls we can use the full leg, including the calves.
Here's a good example of vertical shins and weight on the balls of the feet. Any thoughts on leg hyper-extension and thumbs up?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXT1chg9tcc

User avatar
hjs
Marathon Poster
Posts: 10076
Joined: March 16th, 2006, 3:18 pm
Location: Amstelveen the netherlands

Re: New rower - What to do?

Post by hjs » January 10th, 2020, 9:57 am

Eric308 wrote:
January 10th, 2020, 8:53 am
hjs wrote:
January 10th, 2020, 6:24 am
Dangerscouse wrote:
January 10th, 2020, 5:30 am
Just to avoid confusion re: the heels comment, you will probably hear some advice to keep your heel flat the whole time (I know Dark Horse do advise this) but unless you've got really flexible ankles, which is really unlikely, it's going to limit your stroke and only make it more difficult and possibly prone to injury.

Lifting your heels isn't a bad thing as long as you still try and direct the force through your feet and get your heels down as quickly as possible. My ankles aren't great from many sprains playing basketball so they aren't flat for the start of the drive.
In this case, the op is not reaching vertical shins, so simply he is not coming up enough, the stroke is to short and almost nobody can that. And even when you can reach vertical shins with flat feet, the weight should be on the balls of the feet. Only with the weight on the balls we can use the full leg, including the calves.
Here's a good example of vertical shins and weight on the balls of the feet. Any thoughts on leg hyper-extension and thumbs up?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXT1chg9tcc
Benco, he can,t do much wrong given his results :D Wr s all over the place and going strong over a long period.

Re Thumbs, don,t think it matters much, 4 fingers are strong enough to hold the handle. Otw it may be a different matter, with the blade turn.

Hyperextension, think thats not so much a choice but more ones build. Speaking for myself, it simply feels wrong when I 100% extend, while I see others doing with no trouble. Same a bit with elbows, some do and even overextend while others do not. So I think its pretty natural and given the non weight bearing motion rowing is, not a problem.

Kris7900
Paddler
Posts: 17
Joined: January 6th, 2020, 11:40 pm

Re: New rower - What to do?

Post by Kris7900 » January 12th, 2020, 12:37 pm

Any better? Took a rowing 101 class yesterday. It still feels like my arms are getting more tired than they should, but I do know i'm being more efficient than I was previously as my 500 was much better with a lower stroke rate. Thanks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUKJHOQk1Bg

Biggest struggle i"m still having is when I feel like i'm really driving with my legs i can tell the seat is moving back before the handle. I also notice my wrists aren't as flat as they should be, any suggestions on that would be appreciated.

Dangerscouse
Marathon Poster
Posts: 10526
Joined: April 27th, 2014, 11:11 am
Location: Liverpool, England

Re: New rower - What to do?

Post by Dangerscouse » January 12th, 2020, 4:48 pm

Kris7900 wrote:
January 12th, 2020, 12:37 pm
Any better? Took a rowing 101 class yesterday. It still feels like my arms are getting more tired than they should, but I do know i'm being more efficient than I was previously as my 500 was much better with a lower stroke rate. Thanks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUKJHOQk1Bg

Biggest struggle i"m still having is when I feel like i'm really driving with my legs i can tell the seat is moving back before the handle. I also notice my wrists aren't as flat as they should be, any suggestions on that would be appreciated.
The only change I'd make is to lean forward a little bit more and lean back more. A good idea is to think of 11 o'clock and 1 o'clock. Your seat seems to be moving at the right time now as your leg drive will make it more very slightly quicker than your arms, especially if you don't have long arms.

I can't see anything wrong with your wrists but others may do.
50 HWT; 6' 4"; 1k= 3:09; 2k= 6:36; 5k= 17:19; 6k= 20:47; 10k= 35:46 30mins= 8,488m 60mins= 16,618m HM= 1:16.47; FM= 2:40:41; 50k= 3:16:09; 100k= 7:52:44; 12hrs = 153km

"You reap what you row"

Instagram: stuwenman

User avatar
Eric308
1k Poster
Posts: 132
Joined: February 22nd, 2007, 8:24 pm
Location: Madison, WI

Re: New rower - What to do?

Post by Eric308 » January 12th, 2020, 5:27 pm

Dangerscouse wrote:
January 12th, 2020, 4:48 pm
Kris7900 wrote:
January 12th, 2020, 12:37 pm
Any better? Took a rowing 101 class yesterday. It still feels like my arms are getting more tired than they should, but I do know i'm being more efficient than I was previously as my 500 was much better with a lower stroke rate. Thanks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUKJHOQk1Bg

Biggest struggle i"m still having is when I feel like i'm really driving with my legs i can tell the seat is moving back before the handle. I also notice my wrists aren't as flat as they should be, any suggestions on that would be appreciated.
The only change I'd make is to lean forward a little bit more and lean back more. A good idea is to think of 11 o'clock and 1 o'clock. Your seat seems to be moving at the right time now as your leg drive will make it more very slightly quicker than your arms, especially if you don't have long arms.

I can't see anything wrong with your wrists but others may do.
Speaking of 11 and 1 ....look at the clock on your wall...your back in not far enough back.

shevchenko
500m Poster
Posts: 60
Joined: November 16th, 2009, 10:43 am

Re: New rower - What to do?

Post by shevchenko » April 18th, 2020, 5:55 am

hello
for 45,5 nike metron shoes.

which number for foot strap is good?

ı use it on number 4 . is it right?

thanks

Dangerscouse
Marathon Poster
Posts: 10526
Joined: April 27th, 2014, 11:11 am
Location: Liverpool, England

Re: New rower - What to do?

Post by Dangerscouse » April 18th, 2020, 6:16 am

shevchenko wrote:
April 18th, 2020, 5:55 am
hello
for 45,5 nike metron shoes.

which number for foot strap is good?

ı use it on number 4 . is it right?

thanks
There is no right and wrong for foot settings as it's a personal preference. I'm a size 44 and I always use setting four
50 HWT; 6' 4"; 1k= 3:09; 2k= 6:36; 5k= 17:19; 6k= 20:47; 10k= 35:46 30mins= 8,488m 60mins= 16,618m HM= 1:16.47; FM= 2:40:41; 50k= 3:16:09; 100k= 7:52:44; 12hrs = 153km

"You reap what you row"

Instagram: stuwenman

User avatar
Citroen
SpamTeam
Posts: 8010
Joined: March 16th, 2006, 3:28 pm
Location: A small cave in deepest darkest Basingstoke, UK

Re: New rower - What to do?

Post by Citroen » April 18th, 2020, 7:13 am

shevchenko wrote:
April 18th, 2020, 5:55 am
hello
for 45,5 nike metron shoes.

which number for foot strap is good?

ı use it on number 4 . is it right?

thanks
You've missed reading this: viewtopic.php?p=484222#p484222

Footstraps are easy, don't bother unless you're racing. Strapless rowing can be a good way to hone your technique.

The slighty complex answer is set the footstretchers so that your ankle bone is level with the monorail. For short folks that's four holes showing, for average height folks it's three holes, for the six-footers it's two holes.

Post Reply