Is it normal for elbows and shoulders to hurt?

[ies]

I've recently taken up rowing, and I'm concerned because the majority of the pain I'm feeling is in my elbows and shoulders, simply because of the resistance pulling the handle, when my legs begin the drive. It is not until later that I ever feel pain in my biceps or forearms.

Is this normal?

[Carl Watts]

You mean you ONLY have pain in your shoulders and elbows ?

Row harder !

Seriously it's going to hurt a bit when you first start, had a few right shoulder niggles when I started to bet a bit more serious. Just don't over do it, allow for recovery and avoid any long term pain. As you train the pain should go away. Ensure you have the right technique.

[ies]

You mean you ONLY have pain in your shoulders and elbows ?

Ahaha! Nooo, the rest of my arms and back start to hurt and get tired after a while, too. Although, my legs are really, really strong. So I don't usually feel anything really painful or tiring there. I just get disappointed that the only reason I have to stop rowing is because my arms are dead.

[Carl Watts]

Most of the work should be done by your legs, having to stop because of sore arms would tend to suggest your not utilising your legs enough in the drive. Perhaps slow down the SPM a little and focus on using your legs. You have to give it a few weeks to get over the initial soreness like any new exercise and then you should be away laughing. Not a cyclist by any chance are you ?

[ies]

Not a cyclist by any chance are you ?

Well, I did do some cycling for a few months this year -- but, most of my leg strength is genetics. I grow muscle mass faster than normal people (from what I've observed), and I have been pretty overweight for a good portion of my life thus far. So, when those two are combined, its like doing hardcore endurance training on your legs.

Imagine of having 50-pound ankle weights permanently affixed to your legs for several years. Now imagine that, if your muscles grew abnormally faster than normal people. That's me -- except, I've lost about 35 pounds in the last 2 months.

And you also have to remember that we row sitting down, so I'm not under my full weight (or rather, what my weight used to be). So, any work my legs do on the rowing machine is a walk in the park.

[slwiser]

Still if you are not taxing your legs your not using them enough. This is all about technique. If your legs are that strong then you can have some great times if you start taxing them. I still am learning how to accelerate the legs, then the core and finally the arms. When I tire I start loosing the leg acceleration and it shows in my split time.

[chgoss]

What they said about not utilizing your legs, video yourself and you'll see that your probably "hauling with your back" and not properly engaging your legs.

You really should also start to strengthen your forearms and shoulders with a steady diet (4x week) of forearm curls (palm down and palm up) and seated rows (with weights). That will help avoid tendinitis..

HTH
-chad

[Bob S.]

I've recently taken up rowing, and I'm concerned because the majority of the pain I'm feeling is in my elbows and shoulders, simply because of the resistance pulling the handle, when my legs begin the drive. It is not until later that I ever feel pain in my biceps or forearms.

Is this normal?

Pain in the shoulders suggests to me that you might be hunching up your shoulders. I have seen beginning rowers do that and it can lead shoulder pain. Another possible technique problem is slide shooting, which is a common thief of leg effort. Make sure that your shoulders are moving away from the wheel at least as fast as the seat. Think of the start of the drive as pushing the foot boards away from you.

Bob S.

[Nosmo]

It does sound like a technique problem. The only way to be sure is to get some good coaching. Videotape your self, put it on You Tube and post a link here. If your technique is off, you may end up injuring your self (been there, done that--it is not fun).

[ies]

You really should also start to strengthen your forearms and shoulders with a steady diet (4x week) of forearm curls (palm down and palm up) and seated rows (with weights). That will help avoid tendinitis..

Hi Chad, thanks for the advice. I've started the forearm curls, and will be doing a few sets of seated rows later tonight when I go to the gym. I'm only on my fourth set (10 reps per set, 10lb barbell) of forearm curls -- but, I've already noticed veins and a stretch mark on my forearm. Is it normal for these to be appearing so early?

Make sure that your shoulders are moving away from the wheel at least as fast as the seat.

Thanks Bob, I'll try to see if I can focus on maintaining this. I tried yesterday, but it also felt like a lot of the pain was coming from the tension of my arms being pulled opposite directions.

It does sound like a technique problem. The only way to be sure is to get some good coaching. Videotape your self, put it on You Tube and post a link here. If your technique is off, you may end up injuring your self (been there, done that--it is not fun).

Nosmo, thanks for the heads-up. I'm looking for a camera right now. Hopefully I can post something soon.

[chgoss]

You really should also start to strengthen your forearms and shoulders with a steady diet (4x week) of forearm curls (palm down and palm up) and seated rows (with weights). That will help avoid tendinitis..

Hi Chad, thanks for the advice. I've started the forearm curls, and will be doing a few sets of seated rows later tonight when I go to the gym. I'm only on my fourth set (10 reps per set, 10lb barbell) of forearm curls -- but, I've already noticed veins and a stretch mark on my forearm. Is it normal for these to be appearing so early?

well, I've never had a muscle develop fast enough that I would get a stretch mark ...
but, I would think thats fine

[ies]

well, I've never had a muscle develop fast enough that I would get a stretch mark ...
but, I would think thats fine

You don't know how much I envy you for that, man. These are a big reason why I don't like weight training, I've got them across my biceps, back, and chest.

[chgoss]

well, I've never had a muscle develop fast enough that I would get a stretch mark ...
but, I would think thats fine

You don't know how much I envy you for that, man. These are a big reason why I don't like weight training, I've got them across my biceps, back, and chest.

Well, I dont want to brag,, but.. I can:
- weight train several times a week for years on end, w/out any discernible increase in muscle mass.. certainly w/out stretch marks.
- erg 4-5 times a week, anywhere from 3 to 3.5million meters/year, HARD mind you, w/training partners that push each other.. and actually get slower..
- merely LOOK at the donuts in the break room (well.. ok... I eat a few) and put on 10lbs...

so there!