Concept2 Forum

One does have to have a recovery from all that exercise and effort, but the Christmas break and feasting has left me panting and sweating more than usual back on the erg! At times like these the mind wanders to seek the easy way out and so I have revisited the usual technique videos to see if I've missed anything. I know that only two things will save me: strength and endurance/fitness. Technique is down the list once I get those sorted out.

I came across this video by an ex-medal winning athlete, let's call him JN, who was advocating that in the recovery, the back be straightened out first before the arms. Of course he got a lot of criticism and abuse as this goes against the prevailing wisdom. So is there any merit in the back-before-arms recovery technique? I think it is worth trying as:

1. At the end of the catch, the back is reclined and the longer it is in that position the more energy is being used (try siting straight versus inclined).

2. There is energy stored in the elastic cords pulling the chain and by straightening the arms first, that energy may not be used optimally. By letting the back come back up first, the greater force in the cords is used to better advantage.

3. Some energy is still needed by the legs as they have to be lifted to the catch position and so long as the arms are ahead of the knees, there should be no disadvantage.

So ideally it would seem to be best to aim for the handle to just clear the knees as the arms are being straighted out - as this will allow the elastic cord to expend its energy in the most optimal way (helping to straighten the back and crunch up the legs). Whereas straightening the arms up front would seem to be a less optimal use of the cord's energy. I know that this is a minor issue in the greater scheme of things but JN does seem to have a point worth thinking about?

Cheers

Slick
I prefer to throw my hands forward and use the momentum to bring my back up with them. This takes the pressure off the quads and almost no effort is expended by the legs on the recovery. Not to mention.... it saves your core. But....... each to his own. I really don't see the stored energy in the elastic cord as one of major benefit.
Terry

Te hands first is only needed for otw rowing. On the erg most people don,t anyway.
Have you seen the Danes this weekend? Wr but not with otw technique.

I haven't seen them. I'll have to check it out.
Terry

Gettingold wrote:I haven't seen them. I'll have to check it out.
Terry

5.56.9

Interesting hjs. The elbows are splayed out and the handle just about shaves the knees at each stroke. The toes seem to curve up - pulling against the straps? I think I would prefer this style as the standard C2 tutorials don't seem to help me improve my times; apart from letting my legs complete most of its work before the hand pull. The biggest improvement has come from time spent sweating and panting.

Cheers