New to rowing & bicep tendonitis

[girlinabox]

Hello! I am new here and would really love your help with my current situation. Apologies if this is long but just wanted to give context.

So I purchased my C2 rower at the start of this year. I was previously of reasonably good fitness but had had some time not doing much at all, and cartilage damage in both my knees meant I can no longer run - I was recommend rowing, so I bought the machine, and spent some time asking questions on a rowing subreddit, watching videos etc.

I started rowing along to 'Row Along Workouts' videos on YT which have been absolutely brilliant, and I think that my form isn't too bad. Right at the start I was getting blisters on the pads of my hands which I know was likely from holding the handle too hard. I think that I now do not do this - and my fingers are only lightly 'hooked' over the edge of the handle - I no longer get blisters.

So as well as rowing 2-3 x per week (doing either intervals or WOTD) I also started a strength training programme aimed at women (Stronger By The Day) which is all about progressive overload.

A few months ago I noticed a sort of popping sound coming from my right elbow when I was doing certain strength moves (but not with rowing) - it was mostly things like curls, rows, overhead press etc. There has never been any pain. I went to a physio recently, and he said that I have thickening of both biceps tendons (biceps brachii I think and not sure what the other is called!) - he said the noise I am hearing is the thickened tendon snapping over the back of the bone. Anyhow - he is unable to say exactly what caused it - rowing or strength - he is working it, using ultrasound, and now acupuncture. I am also stretching and icing daily.

The popping is still there, and in fact is more prominant - it now happens when I lift say a cup of tea up to my mouth etc. It's really annoying, because now physio has told me to lay off upper body work full stop for now.

So I guess, what I'm posting for is to see if this sort of injury sounds like something that could have been caused by rowing, and if so, what would be the bad form culprit? I also am wondering if I could still do a little bit of gentle rowing, if the popping is not reproduced by rowing at all?

I am just really not wanting to stop with the exercise - I have been loving the gains in strength, cardio and overall energy the last few months. I'd also love to know if there is a way of finding out how to establish causation! (I also have recently started noticing a similar popping sound in my left arm but actually at the shoulder, not elbow as with my right arm )

Thank you for listening. Any help & advice most gratefully received. Thank you.

For reference I am female and 40.

[Joebasscat]

Well … nobody is going to tell you to ignore your doctor’s advice on this forum. Since they said “full stop” then that’s probably best. As for what rowing form may have caused it, I’m sure you know from the videos you have been watching that you shouldn’t be yanking with your upper body and only using the arms to finish your stroke after your hips rock over. Takes time to master for many. Possibly not engaging your lats at the catch.

That said, I’m going with the issue may more likely be from the weight training. I have tendinitis in my right elbow (golfers elbow) and some lingering soreness in my left forearm and bicep that is no doubt the result of over aggressive activity with weights. Rowing doesn’t seem to bother either of these much, but it’s there. The “golfers elbow” was present long before rowing and the other is a recent addition after beginning some new weight training awhile back. 65 yr old male here.

I know how frustrating it would be to be told full stop on any upper body work, but I certainly would advise you to heed his advice. You’re going to want to enjoy your tea for a long time going forward. Best to try not to do any permanent damage. Good luck and welcome to the forum.

[Dangerscouse]

I'd love to be able to offer words of confidence that you'll be alright with rowing, but it does sound like you need to stop and get it resolved before you start again.

If it is rowing, then as Joe says, you've probably been not using your legs enough and your arms too much.

[jamesg]

could have been caused by rowing, and if so, what would be the bad form culprit?

Rowing is done with the legs and hips, being a Power sport.

Don't try to use arms, wrists, elbows or fingers to produce power, they're not strong enough for the thousands of strokes we pull.

Have a close look at your posture at the finish. To avoid injury, your wrists must be low, flat and straight, with the forearms in line with the chain, shoulders low, elbows near your sides with angle >90°.

Also posture at the catch, recovery and pull sequences, foot height, strap position, drag can all be critical: details here: https://www.concept2.com/indoor-rowers/ ... que-videos