Foot discomfort

[Bigmac]

Hello everyone- this is my first time posting- I have been using a Concept 2 at home for many years and I currently use it 2 times a day for a 6 km row each time.
I’m experiencing some discomfort in my left foot and feel that it may be a consequence of my rowing.
I have also cycled quite a lot and I’ve been thinking that it would be good for my feet if they were attached using the type of cleats that you can use to attach your feet to the pedals. I have a feeling that it is the ergo straps that might be contributing to the problem that I’m having.
I did read an article recently about just this but the comments from rowers were mostly negative.
I wonder if anybody might have constructive thoughts on what I can do to change the dynamic of securing my foot during rowing sessions- maybe footwear recommendations or technique.

Thank you for reading this!

[Sakly]

Hi and welcome!
If you think the straps cause your foot issues, I would suggest to row strapless to identify technique problems in your sequence.
If straps are really causing your issues, it might be very likely you rely heavily on the straps and pull yourself back to the catch position with your feet. This shouldn't be the case, this should be done by arms away and a hip hinge motion, before the legs start to bend.

[gvcormac]

I second Sakly's comment. Your recovery should be gentle, and should use your hamstrings. So you pull yourself (gently) by your heels not your forefoot. Also, finish your drive strong so that your arm pull stops your backwards movement before you begin recovery.

I use straps, but I never tighten them, and never pull on them with my feet.

[Dangerscouse]

I row strapless for every session that I know will be no more than r26. Any higher and it gets a bit twitchy as the return and finish are shortened so there's a transfer of gravity to contend with. My shoes are on top of the straps, so they're not even loosely fitted.

It takes a bit of getting used to, but with practice you can master it fairly easily. It won't harm your training either, but you definitely need to take it slower to start with.

[Ombrax]

+1 on strapless

All my rowing is strapless.

[DavidA]

I also do all my rows strapless.

[JaapvanE]

Same here. 100% strapless. Tried strapping in a couple of weeks ago, hated it.

[MPx]

Just to add a slightly different view...

I also do many of my cool downs strapless - I believe its a good indicator that the balance of your stroke is OK and that form not too far off text book. Having said that I'm strapped in tight for well over 90% of my ergs. Quite possibly it shows (my) poor form....but when taking part in a 100k large team event in 2017 we used a loose "tunnel" to easily slip our feet into when changing over ergers every 20 strokes. We were trying hard (and set the WR!) with many of my strokes down to around 1:30 pace. As a result of that day I did significant damage to my hip flexors which resulted in a very painful following month and help needed from a physio. So I'd say strapless is fine (even beneficial) for Steady State, but get strapped in tight for anything more spicey.

But for the OP, rowing strapless for a while will certainly demonstrate if that's the issue, or if something else is going on.

[iain]

As someone whose technique is poor, be careful rowing strapless. Get it wrong and you can go over backwards, the slight incline of the rail and transfer is enough to get you back up the rail, but if your technique is not so good, you can inadvertently grip the rail with your feet. This ruins your trainers and is not safe! Also as you get tired technique can deteriorate. Most of the time you get it wrong you will just drift off the footplates so rhythm broken and feel insecure, but it can get annoying!

[HornetMaX]

I like strapless, I think it's beneficial to proper technique.
I only strap for fast "stuff" (let's call it "2K or less"), also for safety concerns (in the unlikely event of the chain/handle snapping).

[Joebasscat]

I like strapless, I think it's beneficial to proper technique.
I only strap for fast "stuff" (let's call it "2K or less"), also for safety concerns (in the unlikely event of the chain/handle snapping).

Most of mine is done strapless so thanks for putting that in my head. That would make for a wild ride or should I say dismount?

[HornetMaX]

I like strapless, I think it's beneficial to proper technique.
I only strap for fast "stuff" (let's call it "2K or less"), also for safety concerns (in the unlikely event of the chain/handle snapping).

Most of mine is done strapless so thanks for putting that in my head. That would make for a wild ride or should I say dismount?

In my case that would make for a hard smash into my roman chair (the tail of the rower is in between the roman chair legs) and/or the wall (right behind it). So yeah, I'd prefer not to experience that, if possible