Hand Placements?

[[old] coxie]

when i erg i find that i have my thumbs up over the handle instaed of holding on to it as u normally would...my coach has told me that i shouldnt do that because the handle might slip out of my hands...he also said that i can not pull as hard when i am gripping it like that. He said the reason i might hold it like that is because my hands are very small and it is uncomfortable to reach my hands all the way around it...i was just wondering if anyone knows if holding the handle like that is really actually bad for my roeing..and if so, how? also, any ideas on how i can make it less uncomfortable would be useful. Thank-you

[[old] PaulS]

The thumb is not reall involved in the gripping of the handle, but unless you or I are vastly different in design, putting the thumb over the top seems very unnatural. Do you hold a can of coca cola the same way?<br /><br />The thumbs should be rather relaxed when on the underside of the handle, though they do serve a purpose in rowing by being there, as in case of something striking your blade unexpectedly that you can retain your control of the handle. If it can happen to Katrin Boron in a World Cup final, it can happen to anyone.<br /><br />Also, make sure that you are not arching your wrist up when gripping the handle on the drive, even with small hands this should not be done in an attempt to get more grip, it is too hard on the wrists.

[[old] hjs]

<!--QuoteBegin-coxie+Jan 3 2006, 05:38 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(coxie @ Jan 3 2006, 05:38 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->when i erg i find that i have my thumbs up over the handle instaed of holding on to it as u normally would...my coach has told me that i shouldnt do that because the handle might slip out of my hands...he also said that i can not pull as hard when i am gripping it like that. He said the reason i might hold it like that is because my hands are  very small and it is uncomfortable to reach my hands all the way around it...i was  just wondering if anyone knows if holding the handle like that is really actually bad for my roeing..and if so, how? also, any ideas on how i can make it less uncomfortable would be useful. Thank-you <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br /><br />Don,t worry about it, I do the same and also hold my hands most of the time so far apart that I row with just 3 fingers holding the handle. I will not cost you any time

[[old] kinley]

Katrin Boron is a sculler, not a rower. A sculler's thumb rests on the end of, not under, the grip or (speaking for myself) parallel to the erg handle.

[[old] PaulS]

<!--QuoteBegin-kinley+Jan 3 2006, 11:48 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(kinley @ Jan 3 2006, 11:48 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Katrin Boron is a sculler, not a rower. A sculler's thumb rests on the end of, not under, the grip or (speaking for myself) parallel to the erg handle. <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Kinley,<br />It was just an example of a skilled Oarsperson. (I'd bet that Katrin Boron would be useful in a sweep boat.) Sculling and rowing are at least a little related, as evidenced by the fair number of folks that have swapped at the WC level lately.<br /><br />I tend to have my thumbs on the end of the grips when sculling, but at the same time they are below the center of the handle. No need to put them under the handle but they are in a position where they keep the handle from being knocked out of my grip too easily.<br /><br />So do you place your thumbs extended toward eachother along the handle of the Erg?

[[old] kinley]

<!--QuoteBegin--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->So do you place your thumbs extended toward eachother along the handle of the Erg? </td></tr></table><br /><br />Yes. So the thumbnails are facing me, and the tips of the thumbs facing each other. I never gave this the slightest thought until I got involved in a collegiate program --- older sudent, what was I thinking? --- and one of the coxswains tried to reform me so that I erged with my thumb wrapped under the handle (the coach didn't care one way or the other).<br /><br />As I compose this post it occurs to me to mention that I finish with my elbows above the handle & forearms parallel to the floor. But perhaps someone finishing with the forearms descending and the elbows at the hips would want the thumbs aligned vertically as well. <br /><br /> >>>> Kinley

[[old] PaulS]

<!--QuoteBegin-kinley+Jan 3 2006, 12:28 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(kinley @ Jan 3 2006, 12:28 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin--><!--QuoteBegin--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->So do you place your thumbs extended toward eachother along the handle of the Erg? </td></tr></table><br /><br />Yes. So the thumbnails are facing me, and the tips of the thumbs facing each other. I never gave this the slightest thought until I got involved in a collegiate program --- older sudent, what was I thinking? --- and one of the coxswains tried to reform me so that I erged with my thumb wrapped under the handle (the coach didn't care one way or the other).<br /><br />As I compose this post it occurs to me to mention that I finish with my elbows above the handle & forearms parallel to the floor. But perhaps someone finishing with the forearms descending and the elbows at the hips would want the thumbs aligned vertically as well. <br /><br /> >>>> Kinley <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />If your elbows are above the level of the handle, your forearms are not going to be parallel with the floor, unless you are unusually built. The parallel forearms is a good thing to go for however. It's all too common to see Ergers, Rowers, and Scullers with the elbows too close to the body. How high should they be? Well, it is completely dependent on the finish height, just enough to get those forearms parallel with the floor/water. And "why"? So that the stronger muscles in the back are able to be used for the draw to the finish instead of the neutralized biceps. A draw of the elbows to the rear rather than the handle to the body, which is inevitable.

[[old] Big]

<!--QuoteBegin-coxie+Jan 3 2006, 09:38 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(coxie @ Jan 3 2006, 09:38 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->when i erg i find that i have my thumbs up over the handle instaed of holding on to it as u normally would...my coach has told me that i shouldnt do that because the handle might slip out of my hands...he also said that i can not pull as hard when i am gripping it like that. </td></tr></table><br />I was about to ask a similar question. I find a "normal" rowing grip (thumb under, palms down) to be somewhat uncomfortable and will often switch to a "reverse" grip (thumb over, palms up) or a "handshake" grip (thumb up, holding onto the ends of the handle). I rarely do a grip like you describe (thumb over, palms down) because it doesn't feel right.<br /><br />I wonder if there any physical reason to favor a particular grip? Holding onto the handle is not a problem for me with any grip, and maximum pull is not the only criteria unless you are racing. It might be that variety gives a more well-rounded workout, especially for someone who is not primarily a rower.

[[old] raymond botha]

How thick is an oar compared to an erg handle ? I used to use the "false grip" in the gym (with thumb over bar next to index finger) as I found it more comfortable on the wrist. Many body-builders use this grip. I found it helped isolate the larger muscles that could concentrate on the work. Even while benching and the bar never slipped. I do however imagine it would be a challenge with a wet oar with the added dynamic of control in both directions ... <br /><br />Hope your've made some improvement in this area.<br /><br />Ray