Problem with forearms cramping up during 2ks

[corpsrower]

Durning 2k tests my forearms have the tendency of cramping up either in the last 500m or immediately after I finish and the only way to get rid of it is to stretch really quickly. My erg room at school has mirrors so I watch myself when I row and I see myself pulling straight into my body and not bending my wrists. Any advice?

[2whlrcr]

I'll throw out the obvious possible answer. You're gripping the handle too tight. Try and relax your grip.

[Citroen]

I'll throw out the obvious possible answer. You're gripping the handle too tight. Try and relax your grip.

You beat me to that answer.

[Nosmo]

Also realize you can have much too much tension without squeezing the handles at all. Try to relax your entire arms, from the shoulders all the way to the fingers.

[yahooyellow]

on top of what the previous posters said, make sure before you erg you stretch out your forearms and wrists really really well, warming them up a lot has helped me with the same problem. doing some forearm strengthening exercises helps with their endurance as well

[LJWagner]

Try gripping hard only when pulling, and relax your grip on the slide forward.

You can even open your fingers slightly on the recovery, and only maintain grip with your palm and thumb.

There is no need for an iron grip for 7 minutes or whatever your 2k time is.

[Snail Space]

You maybe taking the catch with bent arms; make sure that your arms remain straight until after your body has started the lean-back. Your legs should be doing all the work in the early part of the drive.

Apropos the tight grip, think about relaxing your shoulders on the recovery - your whole arm and hand will then also relax. You could also "play the piano" with your fingers as you ease forward during the recovery. It might be possible to try that during the drive too, but maybe not during an all-out 2K!

Finally, think of your fingers as a hook that merely prevents the handle from losing contact with your hand, rather than your hand as a fist that grips tightly round the handle.

Cheers
Dave.

[tjenvey]

I've been erging for about 3 years and crossed 2 mill in April.

Recently, I've been experiencing tenderness in the right elbow and fore arm and noticed some elbow swelling. This is also my dominant hand.

Any advice or suggestions?

Tim Jenvey

[Nosmo]

I've been erging for about 3 years and crossed 2 mill in April.

Recently, I've been experiencing tenderness in the right elbow and fore arm and noticed some elbow swelling. This is also my dominant hand.

Any advice or suggestions?

Tim Jenvey

Make sure your elbows are straight at the catch. You want to just hang on the handles and feel the pull from the lats. Bent elbows have a lot more stress on them. Some poeple have a tendency to get a quick catch by bending the elbows. I would bet that that is your problem. (Although it could be due to something unrelated like working on a computer)
Take a break from rowing for a short time and do something else until the soreness is gone. You don't want to develop something chronic

[tjenvey]

Thanks, This week I started doing just 2k really slow and focusing on technique so will make sure arms stay straight.

[TomR]

How strong are your hands and forearms? You might consider getting yourself an "egg" and doing some gentle strengthening:

http://www.ironmind.com/ironmind/opencm ... ealth.html