Is there an optimal stroke length?

[mict450]

It looks like I may be rounding my back a bit at the catch. I'd appreciate any comments you may have.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geRe73ejlfM

Looks pretty good to me. 2 minor points....you have a slight tendency to flex your wrists at the finish & your feet are a tad low in the stretchers.

[Sakly]

Based on your times and your stroke length to height ratio being similar to Stu's, a seasoned veteran, it's likely that your form betters mine.

I'm working on a video, but my cinematography skills are lacking.

Hehe, I know the problem of the cinematrography skills

I am not sure if the stroke length and times alone can be used to determine the quality of the technique. It may be that length also depends on force production like mentioned.

I would say that your stroke is missing some hip swing.
Rounding of back in the catch could be less, hips could rotate a bit more forward in the catch. This would lead to less compensation with your back and a potentially stronger stroke due to better force chain to the handle.
Feet position looks good to me. If you would place them higher, your knees would start to reach into the range of your arms during the catch. Also compression in the catch gets more difficult.
The difficulty in this video is that one can not really see your positions well due to your loose clothes. Also the handle position in the catch is not visible.

Perhaps I should try to film myself to compare it. But my space is very limited in the basement, so I would have to do it anywhere else...

[Dangerscouse]

I don't know my stroke length from this morning, but I did notice that the handle hits the metal beneath the monitor stanchion without me overcompressing as I have long arms. It makes me wonder if long legs also helps in this too?

I also noticed that I do an almost imperceptible flick at the end of the stroke, so I'm not sure if it will have some effect on the length?

Incremental gains can be made as you get more flexible and learn better technique, but basic anatomy will also play a part.

[Sakly]

I don't know my stroke length from this morning, but I did notice that the handle hits the metal beneath the monitor stanchion without me overcompressing as I have long arms. It makes me wonder if long legs also helps in this too?

Not really I would say. Longer legs lead to hips more apart from the monitor stanchion, as shins are in same position but thighs are longer. Longer arms compensate this, so persons with same mobility will have more or less the same reach in the catch.
I can also reach the mentioned position with my handle without overcompressing, but 6" shorter.

[Autoland]

Thanks for your comments folks.

Sometime soon I'll create a new specific topic with a better video in hopes of getting some more feedback.

[nick rockliff]

I don't know my stroke length from this morning, but I did notice that the handle hits the metal beneath the monitor stanchion without me overcompressing as I have long arms. It makes me wonder if long legs also helps in this too?

I also noticed that I do an almost imperceptible flick at the end of the stroke, so I'm not sure if it will have some effect on the length?

Incremental gains can be made as you get more flexible and learn better technique, but basic anatomy will also play a part.

Saw this and looked how close I got to the area you describe. I'm about 6 inches away with shins vertical. Drive length is something I've never looked at but seems to be 1.36 to 1.39. I've a bigger wingspan than height too.

[kini62]

I don't know my stroke length from this morning, but I did notice that the handle hits the metal beneath the monitor stanchion without me overcompressing as I have long arms. It makes me wonder if long legs also helps in this too?

I also noticed that I do an almost imperceptible flick at the end of the stroke, so I'm not sure if it will have some effect on the length?

Incremental gains can be made as you get more flexible and learn better technique, but basic anatomy will also play a part.

Saw this and looked how close I got to the area you describe. I'm about 6 inches away with shins vertical. Drive length is something I've never looked at but seems to be 1.36 to 1.39. I've a bigger wingspan than height too.

This is an interesting thread. Seems there is no "optimal" stroke length. I'm 5'6" and out of curiosity I checked my stroke and it's in the lower 1.3 range average. And no I don't have excessive lean at the end of the stroke.

[Dangerscouse]

Saw this and looked how close I got to the area you describe. I'm about 6 inches away with shins vertical. Drive length is something I've never looked at but seems to be 1.36 to 1.39. I've a bigger wingspan than height too.

That's interesting. I think I have become more flexible in the past couple of years, not sure if that makes any difference.

[kini62]

Saw this and looked how close I got to the area you describe. I'm about 6 inches away with shins vertical. Drive length is something I've never looked at but seems to be 1.36 to 1.39. I've a bigger wingspan than height too.

That's interesting. I think I have become more flexible in the past couple of years, not sure if that makes any difference.

I think flexibility is one the keys. I'm quite flexible in the lower back, ankles, hamstrings and calves. Hip flexibility is decent too.

[gilles13006]

If all biomechanics and positions/motions are done as expected, sure formulas can be used.
But I am 5'8" with a stroke length of average 1,38 - so from practical point of view there seem to be differences (as not all movements, positions, techniques, biomechanics are equal).

Wow! I am same size as you and i am limited to 1m20 or something, whith an exaggerated form (curving my back and pulling upper my torso).
1m38 is definitely very high for this size. Do you have a specific form to do that or do you have very long arms?

I am more usually at 1m15 so it’s a 65% for me.

[Sakly]

If all biomechanics and positions/motions are done as expected, sure formulas can be used.
But I am 5'8" with a stroke length of average 1,38 - so from practical point of view there seem to be differences (as not all movements, positions, techniques, biomechanics are equal).

Wow! I am same size as you and i am limited to 1m20 or something, whith an exaggerated form (curving my back and pulling upper my torso).
1m38 is definitely very high for this size. Do you have a specific form to do that or do you have very long arms?

I am more usually at 1m15 so it’s a 65% for me.

When I pull hard in my steady state sessions I get to 1,45-1,48. In this case I reach a bit more in the catch and lean back more - you can say this is my exaggerated Form.
I have a good mobility in my ancles and hips, I think this plays a role. I never filmed a video to "see" my form, planned this already, but have to move the rower into my living room

[aussie nick]

sorry if this has been answered and I've missed it but is there a way of getting the average over time?

I've never checked but just went onto erg data and saw 1.42 drive length...but I've no idea if that is an average or refers to my last session?

thanks for your help and apologies if I've missed something important

[faach1]

sorry if this has been answered and I've missed it but is there a way of getting the average over time?

I've never checked but just went onto erg data and saw 1.42 drive length...but I've no idea if that is an average or refers to my last session?

thanks for your help and apologies if I've missed something important

ErgData gives you a value for the drive length on each stroke.

[aussie nick]

sorry if this has been answered and I've missed it but is there a way of getting the average over time?

I've never checked but just went onto erg data and saw 1.42 drive length...but I've no idea if that is an average or refers to my last session?

thanks for your help and apologies if I've missed something important

ErgData gives you a value for the drive length on each stroke.

and does it store them for later analysis or do you just have to have erg data open and visible during your sessions to be able to view it?

[gilles13006]

sorry if this has been answered and I've missed it but is there a way of getting the average over time?

I've never checked but just went onto erg data and saw 1.42 drive length...but I've no idea if that is an average or refers to my last session?

thanks for your help and apologies if I've missed something important

ErgData gives you a value for the drive length on each stroke.

and does it store them for later analysis or do you just have to have erg data open and visible during your sessions to be able to view it?

No, there is not. You have to check at each time and making yourself an idea of your standard stroke length. Same for the force.

My better wish would be to have a Force Curve « resume ».