Questions from a new slide user

[jlawson58]

Aren't times generally faster on slides than on stationary ergs? Any idea of how much or what conversion to use?

Is optimal technique any different? I have noticed a few differences. It is easy for me to get into a habit of using almost all legs at easy paces. I find that I move my upper body very little unless I concentrate on form, otherwise it is almost like doing leg presses on the lightest weight setting at the gym.

At harder paces though I find just the opposite. I seem to have much more fatigue in my shoulders compared to normal and it feels like I can't get as much leg power into it. I haven't thought to compare the force curves but I guess that might be something to look at.

It has been a while anyway since I posted a technique video so I guess this would be a good time to do that again. I'll try to post something later tonight or tomorrow.

[kini62]

I'd be interested in this and other info on using slides. Mainly, is it less stressful on the lower back? I find when I go hard I get some lower back pain.

Slides would be much less expensive than the new dynamic erg.

Gene

[jlawson58]

I'd be interested in this and other info on using slides. Mainly, is it less stressful on the lower back? I find when I go hard I get some lower back pain.

Slides would be much less expensive than the new dynamic erg.

Gene

Gene- So far using the slides seems to be easier on my back.

[slwiser]

My times went backwards for the first couple of months until my technique adjusted for not being able to "haul anchor" as much as on the static. Now I am back up to where I was and much better for it for my back. My leg muscles and gluts had to get better on the slides.

[carlb]

So far using the slides seems to be easier on my back.

Each slide is 56"x24" and weighs 26 lbs. Are they difficult to move around and store? At almost 5 feet long and heavy steel it seems like they would be. Do you have a permanent 11x4 spot for your slider setup?

It looks to me like C2 could make a "single only erg slide" that was 12-18" shorter. I.e. no way to do 2+ ergs, just have 1 cross track. The floor space to use them would remain the same, but the slides would be smaller to store (about 40" long) and weigh about 5 lbs less.

As a home user smaller and lighter is more appealing then the unlikely possibility of sliding 2+ ergs.

[johnlvs2run]

I found the slides to be 2 1/2 to 3 seconds faster per 500m than the erg without slides.

The longer the distance, the faster the slides vs erg.

[ausrwr]

My experiences are a bit different than John's.

I'd guess at a second faster over 2k per 500 split, and I found that the greatest area of improvement was in the shorter pieces, rather than longer. My 6k PB is slower on slides, whereas almost all others are faster.

[jlawson58]

@carlb- I have a permanent spot in my kids playroom where I keep them set up in front of the tv (I just removed the table that was supposed to be for homework but never got used since they like to sit in the *** DELETE - SPAM *** and work <vbg>). They are a bit heavy but aren't too hard to move.

@slwiser- I definitely found them faster right from the start. I'm not sure what that says about my form though.

@ausrwr-It's hard for me to judge since I am getting faster in general as I get more fit and used to rowing, but I was 1 second off my PB for a 2k today and that was the first 2000 of a 5000 attempt where I PB'd by exactly 30 sec. It makes sense to me that there would be more advantage over the shorter distances since to me they make it easier to get a higher rating and I think that would be more help in the 500-5k lengths.

[mikvan52]

I find no difference whatsoever in times between fixed and slides

I have owned slides for nearly 10 years & have used them on and off.
I now prefer slides to any other form of erging for a host of reasons...

Note: Taking all distances from 500 to the HM, I am above the 95th percentile in the rankings for my age and weight.

[kini62]

Thanks for the info. Slides sound like they would be a nice addition. Maybe by the end of the year when we move to our new house I'll have the room for them.

Gene

[Bob S.]

Thanks for the info. Slides sound like they would be a nice addition. Maybe by the end of the year when we move to our new house I'll have the room for them.

Gene

Having the room is the big catch. If I were starting from scratch, I would go for the new Dynamic. With a D and slides (taking up too much space), I am left with the question of whether or not to upgrade.

Bob S.

[johnlvs2run]

Having the room is the big catch. If I were starting from scratch, I would go for the new Dynamic. With a D and slides (taking up too much space), I am left with the question of whether or not to upgrade.

Bob S.

I'd definitely keep the slides, as long as you have the room for them.

I used to hang mine on the garage wall between sessions.

[GlassJoe]

Okay, Lawson, I've watched your technique videos more than any other videos out there, so let's see what that slide looks like.

I thought you rowed at a gym...must have missed you posting a C2 purchase (or do you just drag the slides in with you and tell everyone to step aside?).

[jlawson58]

Okay, Lawson, I've watched your technique videos more than any other videos out there, so let's see what that slide looks like.

I thought you rowed at a gym...must have missed you posting a C2 purchase (or do you just drag the slides in with you and tell everyone to step aside?).

OK I had planned on putting one up this weekend but I couldn't eat for a couple of days because of an upcoming medical procedure so I just didn't have the energy. Now that it's over I'll try to get one tonight or tomorrow.

Also, I was only at the gym for a few weeks until my used model C came in. Now I can sweat and grunt in privacy

[GlassJoe]

How much did you get your Model C for, if you don't mind my asking? I bought one for $400 (put a new handle and seat cushion on it for about $27-ish), and I've been scouring Craigslist for a Model D (or PM3) for the last month or so. Saw another Model C pop up for $400 and went to check it out last week. It had less than 25k on it, so I grabbed it, but it's not pulling smoothly, so I'm waiting on a new chain and sprocket ($43-ish) to put on it.

I bought it with the express interest of reselling it since Model Cs tend to go for $500-600 in these parts, but then today I see a Model D pop up (PM3). It was $650 and was in absolutely PRISTINE condition. This thing shipped in June of '09, and the log card was never even used as far as I can tell. Sad thing is, it didn't even get enough action to start deleting off the internal memory. I can see every workout starting since late June of '09. 18k on this thing, and it's as smooth as ice. I'm incredibly stoked.

Now I've just got to sell these two Cs for $500-550 so I don't have $1500 tied up in rowing machines (not that I wouldn't love the dynamic model).

Back on topic, now that you mention it, I do remember some of your earlier video postings being in a room that maybe had a little tea set off in the corner?

I am curious to see how you look on the slides versus your last "technique" videos, though, because I'd love to have the dynamic model (or slides if I had the space). I have a history of low back problems, but I haven't experienced any issues through my first 150k or so. I've slacked horribly in the first month, but we did bump our CrossFit up to three sessions a week a couple of weeks ago.

But I digress.....