elbow pain when erging

[gsedun]

Ok so if i pull hard with my arms straight it I get a sharp pain in my elbow, it feels like it comes from the tendon. However, if i have my arms bent, there is no pain. It is almost like my elbows get over extended. The problem with rowing with my arms bent is that I lose connection. Any suggestions?

[jfo]

For how long have you been rowing?

[gsedun]

I have been rowing for 4 years now. Both on the water and of. Mostly On...The pain is on the outside of my left elbow.

[Dreadnought]

Ok so if i pull hard with my arms straight it I get a sharp pain in my elbow, it feels like it comes from the tendon. However, if i have my arms bent, there is no pain. It is almost like my elbows get over extended. The problem with rowing with my arms bent is that I lose connection. Any suggestions?

It sounds to me a lot like Tennis elbow. You may need to give it a rest before it becomes a chronic condition:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/tennis-elbow/DS00469

One thought might be to use the wrist straps that body builders and powerlifters use for doing deadlifts. Just a thought.

From Wikepedia:
Wrist straps
Wrist straps (lifting straps) are sometimes used to assist in gripping very heavy weights. They are particularly useful for the deadlift. Some lifters, however, avoid using wrist straps in order to develop their grip strength. Wrist straps can allow a lifter initially to use more weight than they might be able to handle safely for an entire set. They can also place potentially harmful stress on the bones of the wrist. Instead, wrist curls and reverse wrist curls can be done to improve grip strength.

[jbell]

Sorry to bring up this old thread, but I have also been having pain on the OPPOSITE side of the elbow. My coach said it was like I was locking my arms on the drive. My coach told me to try and keep my arms relaxed and feel like I'm hanging on it more. Pain is gone except for when I really crank on it at low stroke rates (ie 1:55 @ 16spm). I lock them during that.