Newb very short plus sized woman

[wendyedp]

Just got a dynamic c2 rower. I'm short 5'2" with very short legs (about 27" inseam). I notice that when I row I have a very short range of movement and it feels like I'm not getting the best work-out. Does anyone have any tips?

[Steve W]

Welcome, Wendy! Short for guy & marathon skinny at 134 lbs, I also row a C2 Dynamic. It takes some practice to get the technique vs C2 static ergs. Look at the recent threads on technique & video's. Learn to use the info the monitor & watch your stroke's power curve. Do these and the more you row, the better workout you'll get. Also, read the threads on damper settings. Lots to learn & tons of info & good folks to learn from on the C2 forums.

[Bob S.]

Make sure that you use your full range of motion, but don't overdo it. Don't let your shins go past vertical at the catch. Don't swing your torso beyond the 1 o'clock and 11 o'clock positions. The forward lean is more or less naturally limited, but some rowers tend to do an exaggerated lie-back. Some top rowers deliberately do a long lie-back and also pull the handles almost up to the chin, instead of ending at at the sternum. Those rowers do it only for special situations. They do it for pieces that are capped at a relatively low stroke and are trying to make up for that by squeezing more length out of the stroke. For ordinary, uncapped workouts, that is unnecessary. Shorter rowers make up for the shorter stroke length by using higher stroke rates, For your height, a stroke rate around 25% higher than the usual recommendation would likely work out well. I didn't specify a particular standard stroke, since that depends on the kind of piece that is being done - high rates for short intense pieces and low rates for long, endurance training sessions.

Bob S.

[wendyedp]

Thanks guys, that is very helpful!