Concept2 Forum

Hi all,

I'm a newbie here but thought I'd mention my problem. I got a new Concept 2 rowing erg, replacing my old magnetic rowing erg and set up the drag factor to 118 and adjusted the foot rest so as the straps lines up with my first row of shoe laces. Anyway the other week I drove back home from visiting my grandchildren a 4.5 - 5 hr drive and I had a slight twinge in my lower back on getting home. Next day after an evening of rest I completed 3500 meters at 2.25 pace at 21 SPM. I am a beginner using the Concept 2 but not of using a rowing erg. I'm having problems feeling comfortable on the C2. I'm pretty careful with carrying out the correct stroke sequence but believe I've overstretched my lower back in the catch position. I haven't been on the rower for the last week as I'm in pain when I walk, let alone row. Since then I've researched positioning and lower back pain while rowing and I've read that the foot rest plates should be as low as possible without my feet slipping out if the foot straps, Any ideas as I'm on pain killers at the moment and resting till my back heals and I can row once again.

Cheers

Chico64

Welcome to the forum.

There are a number of different ways to set your foot height, but I've never heard of the one you mentioned. In my case I set it so my ankle bone is at the same height as the top of the rail upper surface.

Have you checked the C2 website for info on rowing technique? They have lots of good advice.

Good Luck

I'm no Dr - so take my comments with that in mind - are you sure that the rowing is the root cause of the issues that you are facing with your back?

I had a back spasm - while on the rower as it happens - that was a "one off". I needed to take the time to let the back heal before I was able to use the erg again - even gentle rowing would aggravate it for about 7-10 days. (I was on over the counter pain meds for that duration, but nothing "strong")

in the end when I started back up again, I removed all the hip hinge from my stroke for a short time period - just made sure I was not sat back on my tailbone, my back was straight and my core engaged.
I gradually added some layback, and then finally lean forward at the catch again as well.

might be worth really double checking you're not starting in a weak position at the catch by trying to over-extend there - as that will stress the lower back.

I agree with Peter, so don't discount that the row might just be the straw that 'broke the camel's back'.

I remember really hurting my back years about 30 years ago, long before I ever even thought about a rowing machine, which was due to moving house a few days earlier, but bending down to pick the toilet seat up was what finally tipped it over into a problem.

Also, a magnetic rower is no comparison to a C2, and I wonder if there's subtle differences in dimensions that you're not allowing for? Did you row at the same pace, and did it feel harder, easier or the same on the C2?

I got into rowing 35 years ago because of disk/sciatica problems. To make a long story short, I used the rower to warm up for physio, and graduated to regular long rows.

In my experience, rowing helps much more than it hurts. You can't row if your back is in spasm, but if your back is not in spasm, it is great exercise. You should work on core strength and keeping your back pretty straight during the row. You might not want to hinge forward or back quite as much as you'll see in some videos.

For core strength I recommend hollow-body holds. But roll-outs work, too. You can do a roll-out on your RowErg. Just stand behind it gripping the seat by the edges. With arms, back and legs straight, roll forward and back as far and as often as you can without your back bending.

Great replies from all!

I had back surgery for a ruptured disc, from a work related injury, age 33, many years before I started erging. As a result, I've been extremely careful on posture & activities to prevent reinjury.

Let me add to the good advise already listed: sit firmly on your ass bones & NOT on your back pockets! This will place your pelvis with an anterior tilt & prevent excessive rounding of your lumbar spine. Also keep your chest up & open & make sure you're not opening up your back prematurely.

Best wishes to you.

Keep doing something, maybe not rowing or lifting boxes. Bed rest is bad. Cold pad or hot shower can help.

See a doctor if pain stays a week or is sharp/acute pain. See a doctor regardless if you think you should, or if you start using more than recommended OTC painkiller doses, or if you need to stay on OTC painkillers.

When you come back
- initially lower the DF way low. 80s.
- make sure your back is strong, not curled over for extra reach.
- make sure your leg drive is finished before starting your hip rotation/back swing. The "strong back" drive position is the safest position for your back while your legs are driving.
- If you are unsure of your back technique look at this video and see if it makes sense, if you already know it that's great. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lWejF1IkKg
- don't press for low splits.

Some of the back braces on amazon can help with back pain, but only use them for a few days. They are known bad for you if used routinely. Example: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001O ... =UTF8&th=1

Good luck. (not a doctor disclaimer)

Hello Tsnor

You don't say what resistance you used to use on your old rowing machine, but like others, I don't feel it's the Concept 2 to blame here as you used a pretty low drag factor and not a very high s/m either, (at least not for many rowers here but perhaps for you it was a lot)
If you have pain walking, it could be a pinched nerve
Once you get over that, build up on lower back stretching and strengthening exercises to try to avoid it happening again.

Good luck

I had lower back pains a couple of years ago and I believe it was because of my rowing "technique".
It got to a point where I had trouble walking a couple of hundred meters. I thought it was just due to my lenght (1m98), I've had back problems all my life.
I quit rowing for a while (because it hurt) and began walking more to try and increase the amount I could walk.
Eventually it got better. I still walk a couple of hours every weekend without problems.
I got back on the rower about a year ago and really focused on my technique. I have a tendency to slouch (very weak core), especially when I get tired. Not a good idea on the rower and I think that was part of the cause of my backpain. Having a rounded back while rowing. Also at the catch I would round my back even more because of my somewhat bigger gut.
When I first started rowing with good/better technique I couldn't nearly go as far and hard as I used to, but thankfully the back pain stayed away. I've been building up ever since and now I can row as far as I used to again. Unfortunately not (yet?) as fast as I used to, but I'm working on that.

So long story short: This could just be caused by bad technique. Not saying it is in your case, but it could be. I'd say try a slower and shorter row than you're used to and really make sure your technique is the best you can do. If that works, build up from there. Good luck!