Does height really matter?

hunisu · Post by **hunisu** » April 5th, 2006, 9:23 pm

I check in at a whopping 5'1-ish". I've noticed that when I row with my damper at 4, having a s/m rate lower than 25 seems almost too slow and hard to achieve. I've been hitting right around 25-27.

If I were somehow taller would my stroke rate be less since there would be more leg to push with or am I going about this all wrong and should just learn to slow down?

I set the damper a little higher (6) this morning and was about to hold around 23.

Thanks

MomofJBN · Post by **MomofJBN** » April 6th, 2006, 12:18 am

Most people recommend a damper between 3 and 5. I think ours is between 3 & 4 and I have no trouble maintaining 20 spm. However, I'm 5' 6". I've seen my 5 yr old rowing at 56 spm. His stroke is all leg w/almost no arm-pull, but of course, his legs are quite short. (I'll go put my picture of him back in my siggy. I hadn't bothered since the board transer.)

When trying to slow down your spm, work on a strong push with the legs, and remember that the recovery should take twice as long as the drive (waltz tempo).

Schenley

dutchcan · Post by **dutchcan** » April 6th, 2006, 2:07 am

I had exactly the same problem, although at 5'9", maybe not 'exactly'.

My thinking was that the more spm I rowed, the faster my results would be, but that just wasn't so. If you go to the Training section and scroll down near the bottom, you'll see a post I made about slowing my spm's. There's some excellent advise on there, which when implemented, makes all the difference in the world.

It's actually funny you wrote this question about height, because I was wondering the same thing. Again, check out 'Critique my technique' near the top of the training forum. Csabour has supplied a link to a video of him, along with several others, rowing. You will notice quite a height difference amongst the rowers, yet they all appear to maintain the same speed. It seems logical that the taller you are, the longer your stroke, hence the slower your stroke rate would be, but I suppose this isn't the case.

hunisu · Post by **hunisu** » April 6th, 2006, 10:24 am

Thanks ladies!

This is exactly what I was hoping to hear

I know I have problems with the return being slow enough.

thanks again!

hunisu · Post by **hunisu** » April 7th, 2006, 12:02 pm

I was able to hold around 18-21 this morning. I can definately see/feel the difference.

thanks for the advice!

dmerle · Post by **dmerle** » April 19th, 2006, 11:45 am

A really good way to slow down and improve your technique is to try rowing strapless (without the foot straps at all) -- I've been doing this for about a week and it really forces you to use your legs more since you have to use your legs to pull yourself back in the recovery and you can't depend on the straps! Also, you have to have good technique to keep yourself on the rower!

-Deb S. in Massachusetts
(started rowing on an ancient Model B, which I managed to wreck while trying to fix -- it was a good excuse to get a nice new Model D!!)

peaches5944 · Post by **peaches5944** » May 25th, 2006, 2:15 pm

So glad to see your question...mostly because there is someone else out there who is short. I'm 5'2" and started having doubts about all this. I love rowing but....I have a hard time getting involved with something I really don't qualify for (like a basketball team!). Have just stayed quietly private and enjoyed the workout. On the men's forum, a couple of guys made it very clear that being tall and having longer legs definitely meant you could row stronger and faster. So, I just work on beating my own times.

hunisu · Post by **hunisu** » May 26th, 2006, 10:11 am

yeah, being short definately has disadvantages in the more popular sports.

efg · Post by **efg** » May 27th, 2006, 3:03 am

So, height is not the only factor (I'm 5'9"). I find I rely more on my arms than I might otherwise to make up for a knee that has given me trouble for the past 2 years. It is finally starting to feel a little better, so maybe rowing and making the muscles stronger is helping. On the other hand, I can't complain about how pulling harder with my arms has made my arms look less flabby.

Emilia

Shannon · Post by **Shannon** » May 27th, 2006, 12:48 pm

peaches5944 wrote:So glad to see your question...mostly because there is someone else out there who is short. I'm 5'2" and started having doubts about all this. I love rowing but....I have a hard time getting involved with something I really don't qualify for (like a basketball team!). Have just stayed quietly private and enjoyed the workout. On the men's forum, a couple of guys made it very clear that being tall and having longer legs definitely meant you could row stronger and faster. So, I just work on beating my own times.

Peaches,

Don't worry, there are plenty of height challenged folks out there! I am 5'4'' inches a true giant compared to you

! Having the lightweight category has been great for me. I wasn't a lightweight when I started rowing, but was really motivated to get there, so I could rank myself against people who were closer to my size.

Don't worry, rowing can be enjoyed by anyone, any size! I enjoy working to beat my own times too, but I do enjoy competing with others as well. I just figure that us shorties have to try harder!!

Shannon

hunisu · Post by **hunisu** » May 28th, 2006, 10:34 am

I look forward to beating my times as well... I looked back at my first row and have dropped almost 30s in my avg. 500 time. Woo! I look forward to getting into lightweight, but have a feeling it's still going to be awhile

Shannon · Post by **Shannon** » May 28th, 2006, 11:56 am

hunisu wrote:I look forward to beating my times as well... I looked back at my first row and have dropped almost 30s in my avg. 500 time. Woo! I look forward to getting into lightweight, but have a feeling it's still going to be awhile

Hunisu,

Keep at it, I had to lose 41 pounds

to get into the lightweight category!! It was the best move I ever made!

Great job on improving your times. That feels great doesn't it?!

Shannon

grams · Post by **grams** » June 13th, 2006, 11:31 am

I used to think that height was an issue until I went to Ergmania and watched Luanne Mills. She is 66yo, (I am 63) and she held the world record for the 2000m in 2004-05(?).

She is a couple of inches shorter than me (I'm 5'3 1/2"). Her form is perfect, and her spm average in a competition is about 31 spm. That's not super fast for a race. She does it by putting a major effort into every stroke and doesn't rush her recovery.

BTW, my setting is about 3 1/2 and I erg at about 20 spm for longer sessions. Coah Paul had me doing 8000m workouts at df of 105 which is low. When I did a speed test every couple of weeks I would make it higher.

grams

LJWagner · Post by **LJWagner** » August 10th, 2006, 5:22 pm

Ladies,

Height matters some, more to those who have it.

I went to the women's rowing final at the 1984 Olympics. The Romanian women dominated, winning all but the 8, last race of the day, with a small crew on which every member had multiple gold medals. The women were many shapes and sizes. Tall and slim, short and average build, short and a touch heavy. They lost the 8 by two feet to a fresh USA boat that had not raced that day, while they all had multiple medals.

One men's crew at my college had an average height of about 6'2". The 6 seat was 6'5", the 5 seat was 5'7". Height helps, but is not key.

Ability to row.
Strength in rowing power muscles.
Cardiovascular fitness.
Desire to win.
Team Spirit.
Ability to make a boat GO.
Ability to bring out the best in those you row with, without making them nuts.

Concept2 Forum

Does height really matter?

Does height really matter?

Try strapless?

Does Height Really Matter

Taller and I still have a 25-27 spm

Re: Does Height Really Matter