Beginner question: seat bumps into right heel

[loujak]

Good morning,

We received our model D on Wednesday and are falling in love with it. However, I find that sometimes the seat bumps into the back of my right leg just above the heel as I slide forwards. Does anyone know why this would be? Everything seems straight, I'm sitting straight, the left leg is never touched - any ideas? Technique?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Louise

[Cyclist2]

Since the machine is symmetrical, it has to be something in your technique. Sounds like you're overcompressing on the catch - your shins should just be vertical at the catch, so heels shouldn't be that close to the seat. Check out the instructional videos on C2 and YouTube and try to copy them.

Have fun!

[Bob S.]

Good morning,

We received our model D on Wednesday and are falling in love with it. However, I find that sometimes the seat bumps into the back of my right leg just above the heel as I slide forwards. Does anyone know why this would be? Everything seems straight, I'm sitting straight, the left leg is never touched - any ideas? Technique?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Louise

As cyclist said, your shins should be vertical. There is also a possibility that you are sitting too far back on the seat.

The asymmetry of it is a puzzle. It sounds as if it would be well to have someone watch your technique carefully to see if you are twisting a bit on the seat. Have you rowed sweep OTW?

Bob S.

[jamesg]

seat bumps into the back of my right leg

The remedy is, during recovery, keep your back straight at all times, get hands away first, then swing, only then lift your knees so that your hands, nose and shoulders lead you forwards. At the catch you will then have shins vertical, thighs at 45° and your bum behind you where it belongs; and you'll be in a strong position to do some hard work. Exercise: backstops, hands away and swing only, without lifting knees; handy as a warmup too.

Below what rowing looks like. The blades are in the water in two pics of eight, which means we take our time on the recovery, but very quick on the pull.
http://www.britishrowing.org/rowing-stroke

[loujak]

Thank you all. Now that I'm concentrating on shins being vertical, I'm eradicating the heel bumping problem (I've only ever rowed on the erg, and only for the first time last week, so it's all new to me). I still don't know why it would be the right one only though, I'll watch for twisting. And I'll watch the British rowing video, as well as YouTube et al.

Lots to learn, thanks for helping.

Louise