Rookie question - can't feel resistance in my legs

[grb137]

Hi everyone - I was wondering if there might be something basic that I'm missing. Just got my D model yesterday, and when I'm trying to row, I feel like there is no resistance during the portion of the stroke during which I extend my legs. Only when I pull with my arms am I feeling resistance. Same on the return...so basically I feel like I'm sliding back and forth with no resistance at all. Is this beginner's poor form or might I be missing something? I have the damper on 3.

Thanks!

[Bob S.]

Hi everyone - I was wondering if there might be something basic that I'm missing. Just got my D model yesterday, and when I'm trying to row, I feel like there is no resistance during the portion of the stroke during which I extend my legs. Only when I pull with my arms am I feeling resistance. Same on the return...so basically I feel like I'm sliding back and forth with no resistance at all. Is this beginner's poor form or might I be missing something? I have the damper on 3.

Thanks!

The damper setting is fine, but look into the drag factor, which is the true measure of the air resistance of the fan:

http://concept2.co.uk/training/guide/damper_lever

If it is a brand new machine, cleanliness would not be a factor at this point. If it is used, it may need a cage cleaning to get the proper drag factor at any particular damper setting. If you are at a significant altitude, such as Denver, a particular drag factor will require a couple of points higher on the damper than it would at sea level. (Added in edit. Note that there is an error in that website. It ignores the fact that the completely closed damper is on a setting of zero, not one - so there are really eleven marked settings for the damper lever - and, of course, any number you want of settings in between.)

There are two common problems that cause a lack of feeling of resistance to the legs. First is the sequencing: legs, back, arms. The drive must be initiated by the legs and finished with the arms and the elbows should not bend in the slightest until the legs are straight. Most rowers use a style in which the back swing bridges the leg drive and the arm pull, but some treat as almost a separate movement between the two. There are names for these styles and they have been discussed on this forum and on the UK C2 forum on a number of occasions in the past, but I don't have references for that and I can't remember the names of the two styles.

The second problem is called shooting the slide (or bum shoving in the UK). Make sure that all the movement of the leg drive goes into movement of the handle. In other words, your shoulders must keep up with the hips - and even more as your back swing comes into effect.

The push with the legs should be an explosive effort, as if you were leaping into the air from a squat.

Bob S.

[hjs]

Hi everyone - I was wondering if there might be something basic that I'm missing. Just got my D model yesterday, and when I'm trying to row, I feel like there is no resistance during the portion of the stroke during which I extend my legs. Only when I pull with my arms am I feeling resistance. Same on the return...so basically I feel like I'm sliding back and forth with no resistance at all. Is this beginner's poor form or might I be missing something? I have the damper on 3.

Thanks!

It's a matter of speed, during the stroke you should keep accelerating the handle, most newbies adopt a "cycling" motion.
The drive fase should be fast and the recovery easy.
Try squatting 90 degrees and jump until your feet come from the ground, that kind of movement should the drive be.
If done properly, the arms will not do much work, it's the legs and trunk that work, the arms are just hooks.

[Cyclingman1]

I would suggest simplifying things to get the feel. First, get in the "catch" position: seat all the forward, butt next to feet, and arms straight out with handle next to the flywheel. Then keeping arms straight and back rigid, push back with legs ONLY. You will have to feel resistance in the legs to move. Keep returning to that position and pushing off with legs. Gradually add in first back movement and then arm pull.

[jamesg]

Only when I pull with my arms am I feeling resistance.

Pulling on the erg is a dynamic load, so Newton rules; action and reaction are equal and opposite, and the resistance we feel is the reaction the flywheel opposes to us trying to accelerate it. If you feel no resistance, you're not trying.

The further and faster you pull in each stroke, the more resistance you'll feel, and the more the flywheel will spin; which implies that you'll work hard and get fit.

NB pulling hard long and fast does not imply getting back to the catch fast; boats go if we let them, as do flywheels. Rest is good for us.

[Carl Watts]

Hi everyone - I was wondering if there might be something basic that I'm missing. Just got my D model yesterday, and when I'm trying to row, I feel like there is no resistance during the portion of the stroke during which I extend my legs. Only when I pull with my arms am I feeling resistance. Same on the return...so basically I feel like I'm sliding back and forth with no resistance at all. Is this beginner's poor form or might I be missing something? I have the damper on 3.

Thanks!

Your effort is related to pace which is related to Watts.

Damper on 3 is probably to low on a new machine. You need very quick leg speed and be rowing at a fast pace to feel it or you will be going up and down the slide with the feeling your getting.

Rowing here on a setting of 6 which equated to a DF of about 136 on the monitor. The setting that will suit you depends of many variables like age, weight, height, strength, aerobic fitness etc.

You should never be feeling a whole lot in your arms, your legs should be doing the majority of the work so your technique sounds like it needs some work.

[kayakr]

Damper is fine. Most likely this is a technique issue which will improve with time as leg speed and your sense of connection to the handle increase. Try:
- using lower SPMs (gradually lower into the 14 range and you'll notice a change in feel)
- slower recovery
- slowing down a bit just as you're reaching the catch
- accelerate hard with the legs
- do "power 10" strokes hard as possible and notice if there is a difference
- avoid "shooting the slide"
- keeping the torso tight at the catch
- focus on transmitting leg force to the handle (e.g. hang off the handle. You can even practice with a rope to get the feel)

See other threads such as:
http://www.c2forum.com/viewtopic.php?f= ... ce#p176492

[enrage]

Try rowing a few strokes with one leg. Then you'll get the idea of 'feeling' the resistance in your legs.
It's not a leg press so your not going to feel that type of resistance.