Concept2 Forum

Over the past few weeks, I've intermittantly noticed bruises on my abdomen. Tonight when I was rowing, I realized where they came from: I pull the handle into my abdomen. Is it normal to have bruises from rowing (they are mild) or does indicate poor form?

Thanks in advance.

It indicates extremely poor technique. You need to get the handle away quick at backstops before you slam it into your abdomen.

weintraub wrote:Over the past few weeks, I've intermittantly noticed bruises on my abdomen. Tonight when I was rowing, I realized where they came from: I pull the handle into my abdomen. Is it normal to have bruises from rowing (they are mild) or does indicate poor form?

Thanks in advance.

You should just touch you upperbody. No bruises. And pull a bit higher, not to your belly but more the lower chest.

i have had the same problem in the past, ussually when im going faster. Now i just watch out for it, simple as that.

what my coach says makes a lot of sence.

He says that you do not really get that much more power from going that extra inch and hitting your chest... also that you would probally lose more endurance from knocking air out of your chest.

thats true, your coach is a smart guy....sounds just like mine, haha.

I get them after rate-capped ergs like rate 24 5k tests because of my poor catch i then heave the finish to compensate hitting my chest with the handle and discovering bruises afterwards

Just found this post after 6 years. I discovered the problem back then was my heart rate monitor. I hit it when I was rowing and that caused the bruises. Silly me.