Straight arms at the catch

[Vcweiss346]

I think what has worked for me is a very very relaxed grip on the handles. My entire grip is in the fingers. Thumbs below the grip but zero tension on the and could just as easily let them ride on top. Essentially my fingers are just hooks over the top of the handle. Much like others describe hanging from a bar. The sensation I feel is weight hanging from my shoulders/lats , through the arms, and into the fingers. I even roll my fingers out and when you look at the top of my hand it is completely flat through the first knuckles, flat back of hand, and flat wrist.

I’ve seen a lot of people put a full death grip on the handle and I think it contributes to wanting to pull too early.

[hikeplusrow]

I agree with a relaxed grip as you describe, but have been caught out a couple of times on longer pieces when sweat has caused the handle to slip out of my hands!

[hikeplusrow]

Thanks for all the advice on this subject. When I first posted this query, I wasn't confident I'd ever be able to achieve straight arms. I was wrong. A combination of your advice, a lower drag factor and more UT2 to nail down technique, has enabled me to make significant improvements in the power and dynamism of my stroke. There's still room for improvement, but my body is now asking to go faster. That's awesome. Once again, I thank you.

[mjhatten]

I'm working on that, too. If I feel my arms straighten out while my legs are driving, I know I messed up. My main indicator that I did it right is that I've got the handle in the plane it will finish in and my shoulders forward. When I drive, I should feel it in the shoulders, not the arms. I don't engage arms until the drive is complete and I've levered back.

Still working at it but I can see it in the Watts when I've hit the sweet spot.

[hikeplusrow]

I'm working on that, too. If I feel my arms straighten out while my legs are driving, I know I messed up. My main indicator that I did it right is that I've got the handle in the plane it will finish in and my shoulders forward. When I drive, I should feel it in the shoulders, not the arms. I don't engage arms until the drive is complete and I've levered back.

Still working at it but I can see it in the Watts when I've hit the sweet spot.

I've made considerable improvements in this aspect of my technique since I originally posted this question. With bent arms I was feeling it in the biceps/inner arm, whereas with straight arms I feel it more in the triceps/outer arm.

[Tobias Stoehr]

I know my slight arm bend at the catch comes from my lats, not from my biceps. My biceps never hurts or tires when rowing.