Can you get Erectile Dysfunction similar to a bicycle seat?

[jedijeff]

I have had a Model D for several years and I use every other day. I was curious is there any risk from ED as there is when riding a bicycle? I assume not since the nerve in question is not really compresssed as it is on a bicycle?

For some reason I am just getting nervous I have been damaging myself.

Though I show no signs. My buttocks can be numb after. 40 minute session. By my privates are not, which I think is a sign you are compressed the nerve.

Thank you.

[Gammmmo]

As someone who has spent alot of time on bicycles and a fair bit of time on the erg, I'd say you're at much lower risk from the latter. It is normal for beginners to get a "numb bum" until the body adapts - indeed, even now for my erg sessions where I'm not overly bothered about the average pace I still use a folded towel on the seat for comfort. For TTs maybe and definitely HIT (short stuff) I go with no towel as don't want that extra layer in the chain of power delivery although even that's probably OCD.

I have noticed however I do get slight pain in testicles on one side sometimes from erging but that's down to the shorts I might wear not giving enough support i.e. getting the "boys" out of the way enough from the constant leg movement. Again, not a big deal now I'm aware what causes that.

As an aside, I will say that ED can also result from excessive cardio. I think the typical bike rider (racer) is at more risk of this as erg often goes hand-in-hand with a) shorter sessions and b) weights. This is down to reducing testosterone. Weights of course increase testosterone.

P.S. Anyone who is worried about ED from cycling should get a twin-pronged saddle such as that made by Cobb Cycles. This puts the pressure on the sitbones and less on the perineum. These saddles were a game changer when I did bike TTs not just from a power-peformance standpoint but also from alleviating numbess which was quite bad before they were invented...in the 90s such things didn't exist and I do remember it being an issue.

[jedijeff]

Thank you. But getting numb buttocks does not mean I am compressing the nerve that causes ED right? Perenial or something like that right?

[Carl Watts]

The only thing I would recommend any new owner of an Erg that has been purchased second hand is to check that the seat has not been put on the wrong way around.

I have seen pictures of a few that have come up for sale over the years that owners have removed the seat and then put it back on the wrong way around.

If you want to know what that feels like sit on your seat facing the back of the rower, its not good.

[Gammmmo]

Thank you. But getting numb buttocks does not mean I am compressing the nerve that causes ED right? Perenial or something like that right?

IMO, no.

[Anth_F]

The only thing I would recommend any new owner of an Erg that has been purchased second hand is to check that the seat has not been put on the wrong way around.

If you want to know what that feels like sit on your seat facing the back of the rower, its not good.

Haha... first time i've tried that, sitting backwards on the machine, yeah ouch. The corners of the seat dig into the backs of your legs!!!!!

[Anth_F]

The only thing I would recommend any new owner of an Erg that has been purchased second hand is to check that the seat has not been put on the wrong way around.

If you want to know what that feels like sit on your seat facing the back of the rower, its not good.

Haha... first time i've tried that, sitting backwards on the machine, yeah ouch. The corners of the seat dig into the backs of your legs!!!!!

To add to this, i've seen quite a number of 2nd hand Model D/E ergs where the handles were on upside down as well. I've also seen one where someone had replaced the handle with some Motocross handlebars.

[Tenshuu]

The only thing I would recommend any new owner of an Erg that has been purchased second hand is to check that the seat has not been put on the wrong way around.

If you want to know what that feels like sit on your seat facing the back of the rower, its not good.

Haha... first time i've tried that, sitting backwards on the machine, yeah ouch. The corners of the seat dig into the backs of your legs!!!!!

To add to this, i've seen quite a number of 2nd hand Model D/E ergs where the handles were on upside down as well. I've also seen one where someone had replaced the handle with some Motocross handlebars.

I swear when I first started looking up proper Erging information, I saw some people suggesting they flip the handle over when rowing for more comfort..... I thought they were crazy, because it felt so messed up when I flipped it over that I said "F-That, those guys are nuts". I'm wondering if those same people received their erg, or were using an erg that already had the handle flipped.

[Anth_F]

Haha... first time i've tried that, sitting backwards on the machine, yeah ouch. The corners of the seat dig into the backs of your legs!!!!!

To add to this, i've seen quite a number of 2nd hand Model D/E ergs where the handles were on upside down as well. I've also seen one where someone had replaced the handle with some Motocross handlebars.

I swear when I first started looking up proper Erging information, I saw some people suggesting they flip the handle over when rowing for more comfort..... I thought they were crazy, because it felt so messed up when I flipped it over that I said "F-That, those guys are nuts". I'm wondering if those same people received their erg, or were using an erg that already had the handle flipped.

LOL!!! To me, the handle flipped looks like it could feel awkward to row with, and give you some arm ache.

[Tenshuu]

To add to this, i've seen quite a number of 2nd hand Model D/E ergs where the handles were on upside down as well. I've also seen one where someone had replaced the handle with some Motocross handlebars.

I swear when I first started looking up proper Erging information, I saw some people suggesting they flip the handle over when rowing for more comfort..... I thought they were crazy, because it felt so messed up when I flipped it over that I said "F-That, those guys are nuts". I'm wondering if those same people received their erg, or were using an erg that already had the handle flipped.

LOL!!! To me, the handle flipped looks like it could feel awkward to row with, and give you some arm ache.

Clearly I just needed to change my grip from overhand to underhand, and switch from finishing with my upper back, and start doing bicep curls to the chest to finish the stroke. Bro-Science - Bro-Tested.

[Gammmmo]

Bro-Science - Bro-Tested.

Love that expression

[sekitori]

I have no idea how this discussion changed from rower seats and erectile dysfunction to handle positions. Concerning the position of the handle, I like to change it during a longer workout. If nothing else, altering the way I hold the handle keeps the workout more interesting (if that's the proper word to use).

I usually hold it near the ends which is the conventional way, but sometimes my hands are closer to the center. I row with four fingers over the top of the handle, but I occasionally change to only three. There are times where I place my thumb, usually loosely under the handle, on top of it with my fingers. I also turn the handle upside down and row for a while that way. It was uncomfortable doing so at first but I became used to it and while it isn't my preferred method, at least it's different. And I also have used an underhand grip, sometimes with one hand, sometimes with both, for very short periods of time.

Returning to the title of this topic, changing handle positions seems to have no relation to erectile function or dysfunction.

[bob01]

Hi
I suffered from numbness in the penis. This was brought on , I am convinced by spending hours on a wattbike (substitute any other trainer /turbo). The problem here I feel is that one is sat in one position for a long period. Out on the bike there is movement (even looking around slightly changes the position and the point of load plus stopping for traffic climbing etc.

I was really concerned about this.... who wouldn't be ... trying several saddles which made little difference!!

On the positive side this encouraged me back on the erg,,,, I cannot see how the erg seat can place the same load in the same way as the bike saddle.

[Ombrax]

On the positive side this encouraged me back on the erg,,,, I cannot see how the erg seat can place the same load in the same way as the bike saddle.

In a previous life, for over 15 years, I used to ride 3-4 times a week, typically about 2 hours, but sometimes a lot longer.
Lately I've taped off on the cycling and have been rowing 3-4 times a week, but not for nearly as long as my bike rides.

Based on that experience I'd have to agree with Bob's comment. Cycling saddles put a lot more pressure on your sit bones and pressure on a few other spots that off and on over the years gave me a few minor issues, but nothing serious. On C2 seats I haven't had any issues at all in that department. On my Model C I use the C2 foam pad and everything's fine. On the Model E at the gym I don't use any pad. (I usually row in old worn-out cycling shorts that do have bit of chamois left, but I also have some C2 shorts that I sometimes work into the rotation.)

Finally, if someone does have concerns or significant issues with the RowErg, don't forget that there's always the SkiErg, and with a comparable effort on that, I'm sure one can become just as much a Hard-Man on the SkiErg as one might using the RowErg.