New here and new to rowing . . .

[loghouse]

Got my rower late last week, and have been working on getting used to it. I'm sharing it with my wife. We're both in our early 50's, both are new to rowing (though enjoying it so far), and we picked up the model D to help in our quest to lose a bunch of weight and get in shape.

My biggest issue so far is my lack of flexibliity. with my feet strapped in, I can't reach the handle I'm hoping that's a temporrary condition . . . .

[Bob S.]

Got my rower late last week, and have been working on getting used to it. I'm sharing it with my wife. We're both in our early 50's, both are new to rowing (though enjoying it so far), and we picked up the model D to help in our quest to lose a bunch of weight and get in shape.

My biggest issue so far is my lack of flexibliity. with my feet strapped in, I can't reach the handle I'm hoping that's a temporrary condition . . . .

Congratulations! You have acquired an excellent device for getting into condition and staying there.

Re the foot straps: It is not really necessary to use them except at very high stroke rates. In the opinion of many of us, rowing strapless is a good way of helping to maintain better technique.

Bob S.

[loghouse]

Thanks, Bob. I'll give "strapless" a shot tonight.

Rick

[Bob S.]

Thanks, Bob. I'll give "strapless" a shot tonight.

Rick

Take care at the beginning. Use low rates, like under 20 strokes to get the feel of it. The idea is that the drive should start with the legs (with the arms straight) to get the wheel spinning. The movement of the back comes in and finally the pull with the arms. The leg push gives the body a lot of backwards momentum. The final pull of the arms counteracts this momentum. The result is that there is no more body movement at the end of the stroke and you don't end up flying off backwards. In other words, you shouldn't need the straps to keep that from happening. That is what I meant by going strapless to help with improving technique. It corrects any tendency to deviate from the proper legs/back/arms sequence of the drive.

Bob S.

[loghouse]

"Take care at the beginning. Use low rates, like under 20 strokes to get the feel of it. The idea is that the drive should start with the legs (with the arms straight) to get the wheel spinning. The movement of the back comes in and finally the pull with the arms. The leg push gives the body a lot of backwards momentum. The final pull of the arms counteracts this momentum. The result is that there is no more body movement at the end of the stroke and you don't end up flying off backwards. In other words, you shouldn't need the straps to keep that from happening. That is what I meant by going strapless to help with improving technique. It corrects any tendency to deviate from the proper legs/back/arms sequence of the drive.

Bob S."


Great explanation. Makes sense to me. Each of us (my wife and I) has been rowing with the DVD Concept 2 sent along showing technique, and we've been watching each other's form also. While I know my form has a way to go, from your post it sounds like if my feet are staying on the footrests (less the straps), my technique may be on the right track. I'll post tomorrow how it goes.

Rick

[loghouse]

Strapless worked except as I began to tire, my feet wanted to slip off the sides (having trouble with legs keeping together the longer I go - bad form, I know).
Did a couple thousand meters strapless, took a short break, then strapped in for another 2,000.

Recieved the rower 1 week ago today. Going to celebrate by trying a 5,000 tonight.

[jamesg]

There's a hook for the handle just beyond our toes; I can reach that, just, but not when the handle is up against the chain-guard. So I get some mind training too: remember to put the handle on the hook, BEFORE strapping in.

Keeping the feet low also helps.

Strapless is of use to help strengthen the finish; the last arm-pull reduces our backwards momentum, while the straps might tempt us to pull back with the feet.

[tuckeverlasting]

Each of us (my wife and I) has been rowing with the DVD Concept 2 sent along showing technique, and we've been watching each other's form also. Rick

DVD? I just got my rower too, but C2 sent me no DVD.

Welcome loghouse!

[tuckeverlasting]

OK, I have emailed C2 and they are sending me the DVD! They only send it upon request.