A form check video of my better half

[Big J]

My wife has been rowing off and on (probably averaging 3-4 times a week) for a few months and requested a form check. It's not that she doesn't trust me, rather that I don't trust myself being a newbie too

The points I picked up on was to try to sit a touch more upright to allow the 11 o'clock catch, avoid knees going over ankles and to remember to extend the arms before bending the knees on the return.

Either way, I think her form is better than mine was at that stage. She was pulled at r20 at about 2:18/500m on the video, for reference.

https://youtu.be/aZ7-Wu8jbWI

[Tony Cook]

What do I know? But IMO -
Could hinge more at hips to keep a straighter back at the catch - seems to be ‘rounding’ to reach forward.
Agree with the breaking knees to early on the recovery.
The main thing I saw was starting to open up the back too early.
A few pick and reverse pick drills would help her to focus on legs - back - arms - arms - back - legs.
Looks strong on the drive

[jamesg]

As above; it would be better to learn to row with the legs before trying to work hard, if only to avoid injuries. See the C2 videos and instructions. The sequences are shown here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ82RYIFLN8

[hjs]

Looks pretty good.
Lower the feet though, ankles are above the rail, aim for a horizontal plane.
At the catch, always aim to fully close the gap between the chest and legs, by bending at the hips.

[JoeCruse]

Agree on breaking too soon with the knees on the return.

Is that a log press????? Love your gym!!!

[Ante]

Hi Big J,

The better half is doing nicely on her own already. No rattling chain or any superfluous things happening. Good steady pace.

Aside from the helpful remarks made by others before, I expect she could benefit from not pausing before the recovery. If she’d start the recovery immediately after pulling in the handle, she could move her arms slowly, pulling her torso forward behind her hands (so to speak). Then start bending the knees. They come up last.
I used to divide my movements into three parts when I started a training, so 1:2.
1. Drive
2. Extend arms, follow up with torso
3. Bend legs without rushing
This way 2 & 3 allow the rower some ‘rest’ for a powerful drive.

Happy rowing.

Ante

[Gammmmo]

better half? So she's faster than you on the erg?