Rowing While Fat...

[PhatGirlROWING83]

Greetings!!!! This is my first post and I have had my Model D rower for 2 weeks now. To keep it brief... I currently weigh near the top of the weight capacity for the rower at 488 pounds. I lost 25 pounds before receiving the rower so I'm excited to see where this takes me next! I have been watching videos on form and reading posts here in the forum but I haven't found anything to answer my question.

So I know it's not good to "splay" your legs when rowing but with the feet platform's being so close... that was the only way I can accomodate for my tummy. I don't want to have bad habits but if I keep my knees together, I can barely get a half row in.

My question is do you guys think there is any harm in keeping my feet on the floor while rowing? When I do this I'm able to get much better range. I still push back with my feet and drive with my legs. I just sometimes have my feet on the floor. This doesn't cause me any pain or discomfort and I figure as my tummy gets smaller, I'll be able to go to using the platforms full time. I already tried lowering the setting for my feet to give more room. This did help but wasn't quite enough. What are your thoughts?

[Ante]

Hi GirlROWING,

Well done losing those 25 pounds. That’s impressive! It’s great you started rowing too. It will certainly make a difference.
Re. your question: feet on the floor doesn’t work for me, as my legs are too short. But you might try raising the seat with a couple of extra layers. That way you could still use the footplate ánd have more room to reach forward.

Good luck and keep posting!

Ante

[Dangerscouse]

Welcome to the forum.

I'm not sure, but I'd guess that if you don't feel any pain, and you don't lean forward too much, this is a decent short term solution.

If you can make sure that you are perfecting the upper part of the technique and not developing a bad habit due to not using your legs, it should be a productive way of making progress.

Just be careful that you are doing some core strength workouts too, as I suspect that you will be losing some of the bracing that inevitably comes with the leg drive, so you may eventually weaken your core support.

Can you do some air squats, or getting up and down from a chair to build some leg strength? Good luck for the future

[Ombrax]

Hi GR,

As Danger said, welcome to the forum.

If I were you I'd call or e-mail C2 and see what they suggest - they're super-helpful in accommodating all the different types of folks who use the rower and have probably helped with this issue in the past. I'm sure they'll be able to let you know what they think will work and what might not be worth the trouble.

Good Luck

[PhatGirlROWING83]

Hi GirlROWING,

Well done losing those 25 pounds. That’s impressive! It’s great you started rowing too. It will certainly make a difference.
Re. your question: feet on the floor doesn’t work for me, as my legs are too short. But you might try raising the seat with a couple of extra layers. That way you could still use the footplate ánd have more room to reach forward.

Good luck and keep posting!

Ante

Thanks Ante for your comment! I am trying to keep up the momentum in my weight loss journey. I hadn't thought about trying to layer something on the seat to raise my position. This may be helpful! I'm definitely not the tallest person at 5' 6" but I do find it more comfortable with my feet down on the floor. I might try the suggestion of getting something to put on the seat to try and raise my position making it more comfy to row with my feet on the platforms.

[PhatGirlROWING83]

Welcome to the forum.

I'm not sure, but I'd guess that if you don't feel any pain, and you don't lean forward too much, this is a decent short term solution.

If you can make sure that you are perfecting the upper part of the technique and not developing a bad habit due to not using your legs, it should be a productive way of making progress.

Just be careful that you are doing some core strength workouts too, as I suspect that you will be losing some of the bracing that inevitably comes with the leg drive, so you may eventually weaken your core support.

Can you do some air squats, or getting up and down from a chair to build some leg strength? Good luck for the future

Hey Danger!

Thanks for your input. Yes, I definitely see it as a short term solution and have been watching videos to make sure my form is good otherwise. I have not experienced any pain and I use the rower 5 days a week. Right now I row for 15 minutes at a time. I also do water aerobics and calisthenics at home that do include regular squats and other core exercises. When I have my feet on the floor I still make sure to drive with my legs so I don't stress my back. I definitely appreciate your feedback!

[PhatGirlROWING83]

Hi GR,

As Danger said, welcome to the forum.

If I were you I'd call or e-mail C2 and see what they suggest - they're super-helpful in accommodating all the different types of folks who use the rower and have probably helped with this issue in the past. I'm sure they'll be able to let you know what they think will work and what might not be worth the trouble.

Good Luck

Thanks ombrax! I will reach out to Concept to see if they have any other solutions. I know at one point there was an adjustable width platform that was created but the link I found for that was selling it at 300.00 and I just couldn't see myself spending another 300 on top of the machine cost for a short term solution.

[Tsnor]

See also:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDJEgtM3t2Y How To Row With A Big Belly rowing tall

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxpSfL3CFtA Belly Getting in the Way of Rowing?! Dark horse

Do not hurt yourself. Find a posture that doesn't pain knees, etc. Stop if things hurt - they shouldn't. You are not the first and won't be the last to modify form. Rowing is low impact and is a good choice to help you. Good Luck.

[PhatGirlROWING83]

See also:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDJEgtM3t2Y How To Row With A Big Belly rowing tall

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxpSfL3CFtA Belly Getting in the Way of Rowing?! Dark horse

Do not hurt yourself. Find a posture that doesn't pain knees, etc. Stop if things hurt - they shouldn't. You are not the first and won't be the last to modify form. Rowing is low impact and is a good choice to help you. Good Luck.

Thanks Tsnor! I have already watched both of those videos a few times along with a few others. I think they have great tips which is why I'm taking care to make sure my form otherwise is what it should be. I appreciate you for the reminder to listen to my body. I'm definitely doing that! Trying to force the platform usage was uncomfortable. The back of my legs and ankles were sore. Feet on the floor makes me feel more grounded. I was asking here to see if anyone has done it before or had advice. Thanks for the vote of confidence on my modification. I appreciate all of your feedback!

[jamesg]

If you can find a natural position close to or on the ground for your legs and feet, I'm sure you can get a handyman to rig some sort of wooden stretcher on the floor; with the footrest at a comfortable angle and spread. This could be blocked from moving by resting against the front machine legs, under the flywheel. Then you'll be able to row both with and without using the slide.

Dinghies have the thwart well above the bilge, where the foot rest is, but no slide; you could copy the action without getting wet. The legs are engaged wven with no slide. It's called fixed seat rowing and gets quite tough:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-u1D2hOFQ4

[mict450]

Single leg rowing would be also useful to you. Here's an excellent video by Coach Kaehler:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nAl7QtQuFBM

[PhatGirlROWING83]

Single leg rowing would be also useful to you. Here's an excellent video by Coach Kaehler:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nAl7QtQuFBM

Thank you for this! This will be another modification I will try!

[mict450]

Single leg rowing would be also useful to you. Here's an excellent video by Coach Kaehler:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nAl7QtQuFBM

Thank you for this! This will be another modification I will try!

Glad you found the video helpful. Best wishes on your fitness journey.