abs/core to help with rowing

[Snail Space]

You might try this device called the concept2 (concept2.com). In my experience it is a great machine to work on the abs.

Go into a press-up position, but with your feet on the seat of the ergo (with it near the foot-stretchers). Then bring the seat to the end of the slide. Repeat as often as you can. For a major challenge try doing it whilst keeping your legs straight (so you jack-knife at the hip joint).

For balance as well as core, instead of putting your hands on the floor for a press-up try placing your forearms on a swiss ball before you bring the seat up with your feet. It's a killer!

Cheers,
Dave.

[Tinus]

You might try this device called the concept2 (concept2.com). In my experience it is a great machine to work on the abs.

Go into a press-up position, but with your feet on the seat of the ergo (with it near the foot-stretchers). Then bring the seat to the end of the slide. Repeat as often as you can. For a major challenge try doing it whilst keeping your legs straight (so you jack-knife at the hip joint).

For balance as well as core, instead of putting your hands on the floor for a press-up try placing your forearms on a swiss ball before you bring the seat up with your feet. It's a killer!

Cheers,
Dave.

hmmm... you could also use the seat as a sort of, previously described, ab wheel.

[Snail Space]

hmmm... you could also use the seat as a sort of, previously described, ab wheel.

... with your feet on the swiss ball!


Cheers,
Dave.

[Byron Drachman]

hmmm... you could also use the seat as a sort of, previously described, ab wheel.

... with your feet on the swiss ball!


Cheers,
Dave.

That would be with one arm only, juggling balls with the free hand and singing the Catalina Magdalena Hoopensteiner Wallendiner song ala Steve Martin.

Feel free to skip the tap dancing. It's very difficult on a Swiss ball.

[Tinus]

hmmm... you could also use the seat as a sort of, previously described, ab wheel.

... with your feet on the swiss ball!


Cheers,
Dave.

The idea of hanging above the erg slide in an unstable position doesn't sound very comfortable. While I have a very good balance I am very clumsy as well. Coincidently I smashed my head against the floor today when I overlooked an obstacle.

[Byron Drachman]

hmmm... you could also use the seat as a sort of, previously described, ab wheel.

... with your feet on the swiss ball!


Cheers,
Dave.

The idea of hanging above the erg slide in an unstable position doesn't sound very comfortable. While I have a very good balance I am very clumsy as well. Coincidently I smashed my head against the floor today when I overlooked an obstacle.

Confession time? I've had the ab wheel for two days now. The first day I tried it with straight legs and almost did a face plant while going up into the pike position.

I saw a video of a guy my age (71) doing 100 rolls with his wheel so I thought I'd try it. I was fully extending my arms and getting them horizontal. I hate to cheat when doing exercises.
I was well into it when, with my arms straight out, I felt a sharp pain in a rib.
Ouch! I don't think I did any permanent damage but I should have known better and started out more gradually. I do get carried away.

Byron

[detlefchef]

... with your feet on the swiss ball!


Cheers,
Dave.

The idea of hanging above the erg slide in an unstable position doesn't sound very comfortable. While I have a very good balance I am very clumsy as well. Coincidently I smashed my head against the floor today when I overlooked an obstacle.

Confession time? I've had the ab wheel for two days now. The first day I tried it with straight legs and almost did a face plant while going up into the pike position.

I saw a video of a guy my age (71) doing 100 rolls with his wheel so I thought I'd try it. I was fully extending my arms and getting them horizontal. I hate to cheat when doing exercises.
I was well into it when, with my arms straight out, I felt a sharp pain in a rib.
Ouch! I don't think I did any permanent damage but I should have known better and started out more gradually. I do get carried away.

Byron

Are you guys seriously talking about using an ab wheel with straight legs? As in, starting from pike position? That's insanity. Doing them from your knees is certainly hard enough and should never be confused as "cheating".

As to anyone who questions their importance and bases that on the fact that their abs aren't sore after they row. A strong core is an asset to nearly any sport. Take cycling. Just because riding alone doesn't make your abs stronger, doesn't mean strong abs don't make you a better rider.

[Nosmo]

Are you guys seriously talking about using an ab wheel with straight legs? As in, starting from pike position? That's insanity. Doing them from your knees is certainly hard enough and should never be confused as "cheating".

Yes it is insanity. Trying to do 100 after having the wheel for two days is also nuts as Byron found out. In 2005 when I was introduced to it at Craftsbury, Pepa asked in anyone could do 30. I did it and could have done more but was sore for several days.
Above I claimed above that I could one on my toes. I have to take that back. I did do one this summer, but tried it again this weekend and failed.

As to anyone who questions their importance and bases that on the fact that their abs aren't sore after they row. A strong core is an asset to nearly any sport. Take cycling. Just because riding alone doesn't make your abs stronger, doesn't mean strong abs don't make you a better rider.

Very true but it is much more important in rowing. There is a myth that rowing is good for one's back. It is, if and only if you row with good technique and have a strong balanced core. There are a lot of back injuries in rowers.

[Snail Space]

Are you guys seriously talking about using an ab wheel with straight legs?

No, I've only been talking about the ergo - the important difference being the distance between the points of contact with the ground/base. With the arms vertical and all the movement done by the legs/hips, the forces are no greater than when doing squat thrusts. I have to admit that the swiss ball stuff was just my cruel streak , although it would be good for developing balance.

The ab roller, with the arms extended, would put the shoulder/intercostal muscles at too much of a mechanical disadvantage if the knees were off the ground - as Byron's rib will testify.

Cheers,
Dave.

[detlefchef]

Are you guys seriously talking about using an ab wheel with straight legs? As in, starting from pike position? That's insanity. Doing them from your knees is certainly hard enough and should never be confused as "cheating".

Yes it is insanity. Trying to do 100 after having the wheel for two days is also nuts as Byron found out. In 2005 when I was introduced to it at Craftsbury, Pepa asked in anyone could do 30. I did it and could have done more but was sore for several days.
Above I claimed above that I could one on my toes. I have to take that back. I did do one this summer, but tried it again this weekend and failed.

As to anyone who questions their importance and bases that on the fact that their abs aren't sore after they row. A strong core is an asset to nearly any sport. Take cycling. Just because riding alone doesn't make your abs stronger, doesn't mean strong abs don't make you a better rider.

Very true but it is much more important in rowing. There is a myth that rowing is good for one's back. It is, if and only if you row with good technique and have a strong balanced core. There are a lot of back injuries in rowers.

Oh, I don't doubt that for one second. The cycling deal is at least somewhat counter-intuitive but, given the fact that you're essentially repeating a very minor sit-up 25-40 times per minute, it should come as no surprise to anyone of the importance of abs in rowing.

[Byron Drachman]

Here is a video with Rob Waddell doing the feet-on-the-C2seat exercise:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0JOq0HCBAs