Better Handle

[mjhatten]

As I improve my technique, I see how important it is to have a good catch and a good finish. I get my best result by making sure the cable for catch, drive, and finish is level -- no dropping of hands at either end. When I do that, I end up with the handle against my ribs just above my diaphragm. The problem with that is that my wrists are finishing at an uncomfortable angle. Is there a handle that can solve that ergonomic issue. It would be something that rotates or splits to allow your wrists to stay straight.

Rowing with real oars solves this problem by naturally doing both. Is there anything that does that for a Model D?

[Sakly]

A user called slidewinder invented such handle some years ago. Don't know if it is available for purchase.

[mjhatten]

I saw them online but only as part of a Canadian Slidewinder machine. Not as a discrete item.

Has anyone tried pull-up strap handles wrapped around the standard Model D handle? I wonder if there is enough room for a proper catch if you used them.

[Willy.VdW]

I think such a handle can be found in these pictures:
https://www.facebook.com/p/Slidewinder- ... z7gLc&_rdr

[JaapvanE]

I know a fellow rower who uses a modified mountainbike handle as it is thicker and wider. Works for him, might work for you.

[hikeplusrow]

I think such a handle can be found in these pictures:
https://www.facebook.com/p/Slidewinder- ... z7gLc&_rdr

That machine looks like the result of coitus between a RowErg and a Hargreaves' Spinning Jenny.

[jamesg]

wrists are finishing at an uncomfortable angle

So too high. Risky, if you do a lot of rowing at high forces.

[mjhatten]

Not too high, too narrow and wrong horizontal angle.

[Ombrax]

MJ, please don't take this personally, but if I had to guess where the issue was, (1) with the erg handle, or (2) with your technique, in this case I would put my money on (2).

I'd suggest that you confirm with certitude (e.g. by posting a link to a video) that your technique is correct before trying to swap out the existing handle for something else.

Good Luck

[Dangerscouse]

Could it be a bit of an issue with wrist flexibility? I've never suffered from any wrist pain or injury, but I'm not entirely sure why.

My only other thought is do you have an excessive lean back? I'd guess that would change the wrist position. I always row to sternum / bottom of my ribs so I don't think that's a problem

[JaapvanE]

I agree technique might be the core issue here.

There is a commercial product out there that might relieve stress on the wrists: https://www.trakfitnessllc.com/shop/p/sportrower

[hikeplusrow]

I've found that widening my elbows at the finish helps to keep the wrists level. Adopting a kind of Praying Mantis finish - where the elbows are close to the body - is more likely to put stress on the wrists IMHO.

[iain]

Another possibility is not "relaxing" arms during the leg drive and pulling with your wrists and arms early in the stroke when they are also taking the force from your legs.

[mjhatten]

I appreciate all the advice. And I check my form all the time. Here are my observations.

1. I am keeping my hands in the same vertical plane from catch to finish.
2. As I bring the handle to my body, the handle keeps my hands perpendicular to the chain and makes my wrists flex out of alignment to my forearms.
3. With actual oars, the handles rotate in the same arc as the oars and my hands would be more aligned with my forearms.
4. A better handle might rotate in the horizontal plane and allow me to keep my hands aligned to my arms, not forced to remain perpendicular to the chain.

I do the best I can by keeping my elbows in when I finish but it only succeeds to a limited degree. I think I would do better if the handle allowed some rotational freedom.

[hikeplusrow]

I appreciate all the advice. And I check my form all the time. Here are my observations.

1. I am keeping my hands in the same vertical plane from catch to finish.
2. As I bring the handle to my body, the handle keeps my hands perpendicular to the chain and makes my wrists flex out of alignment to my forearms.
3. With actual oars, the handles rotate in the same arc as the oars and my hands would be more aligned with my forearms.
4. A better handle might rotate in the horizontal plane and allow me to keep my hands aligned to my arms, not forced to remain perpendicular to the chain.

I do the best I can by keeping my elbows in when I finish but it only succeeds to a limited degree. I think I would do better if the handle allowed some rotational freedom.

I think that's a very good idea