Beginner - can you check my technique?

[Dangerscouse]

For me it's different.
On longer steady state rows I drop my arms naturally and pick them up on the catch, this is much more relaxing for me.
On hard pieces with high rates I do as described by both of you - keep a straight line, as this produces the least wobble of the chain and it's the shortest way of getting back to catch.

I'm really struggling to understand how not dropping the arms at low rates on long sessions doesn't waste energy. To hold the arms up high at the start of the return feels like really hard work and not sustainable, but it seems to work for some. All the coaching I've seen online also supports dropping the arms, but perhaps there are coaches out there I haven't seen who advocate differently? I'm really surprised to hear that it seems common to keep the straight line, I'd always assumed that everyone did the dip at low rates.

After much experimentation, I've arrived at the same technique as you: dropping the arms at low rates and keeping a straight line at high rates.

One thing dropping the arms is really good for is learning the correct timing of the sequence. With high arms, the knees can bend too soon on the return without a rollercoaster motion. Low arms forces the arms to get away from the body before the knees come up.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ub9DyTBTg ... JyYXkgZXJn

I've posted a steady state session from Eric Murray that is what I'm referring to. Fast forward to about six mins, and that's the 'straight line' that I'm taliking about.

Maybe we're talking about the same thing, as 'high arms' can be misinterpreted. I pull to my sternum so my arms aren't ever very high, and the handle will almost skim my knees as they rise and fall, but it's still a straight line to all intents and purposes. This is possibly due to my physiology / leg length

What I'm saying not to do is really drop the handle, but after watching the OP's second video, I'd also not advocate keeping the arms that high either.

[p_b82]

Thanks for the feedback everyone, obviously I have a long way to go. Here's another video where I tried to go slow and focus on form. My main focuses were leaning forward at the catch, keeping arms straight until legs were fully extended, and doing everything in reverse on the way back. Any improvements?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eq4Unq-AgHw

37 yr old, 5'10", 160lb

That does look much better - but not sure if it has been mentioned but you're over compressing at the catch - your shins go past vertical and you're reaching forward to get that last bit of length in the drive - which I think is something to keep working on.
If you slow your video right down you should be able to see the point where you're starting to overcompress to get that extra stroke length - and thus how close to the erg the handle ends up.

Also totally unrelated to technique, but you made find that the footwear you're using - looks like running shoes - will rob you of some power naturally, they look to have quite a high drop (difference between heel height and toes) and thick soles - great for suspension on the joints when vertical, but less ideal on the erg. I found I gained 5s per 500m by stopping wearing similar shoes myself when starting, so might be something to consider as well.

On the handle height conversation - I keep it pretty flat the whole way regardless of my stroke rate - it helps me keep my posture by forcing myself to sit straight with my shoulders back and down and then for me the arms/handle naturally stays the same height.

[Cyclingman1]

The rather blatant issues of the past video have been addressed somewhat. All in all the rowing is very awkward looking. Everything is exaggerated. I'd like to see rowing at least 30 SPM where one has to flow through the entire stroke. Now it looks like each part is cut out and glued back together.

[robhely]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ub9DyTBTg ... JyYXkgZXJn

I've posted a steady state session from Eric Murray that is what I'm referring to. Fast forward to about six mins, and that's the 'straight line' that I'm taliking about.

Maybe we're talking about the same thing, as 'high arms' can be misinterpreted. I pull to my sternum so my arms aren't ever very high, and the handle will almost skim my knees as they rise and fall, but it's still a straight line to all intents and purposes. This is possibly due to my physiology / leg length

What I'm saying not to do is really drop the handle, but after watching the OP's second video, I'd also not advocate keeping the arms that high either.

We're definitely talking about the same thing as Eric's technique on the return is almost identical to mine. I think the key thing is the handle almost skimming the knees; depending on how long your legs are, this can look like a "dip".

The OP's handle in the second video is well above his knees, I'd suggest getting it lower. I'd also suggest him watching the reference video you posted as it's a really good example of what to aim for to achieve a strong, smooth stroke.

[Dangerscouse]

We're definitely talking about the same thing as Eric's technique on the return is almost identical to mine. I think the key thing is the handle almost skimming the knees; depending on how long your legs are, this can look like a "dip".

The OP's handle in the second video is well above his knees, I'd suggest getting it lower. I'd also suggest him watching the reference video you posted as it's a really good example of what to aim for to achieve a strong, smooth stroke.

Ah, OK, that makes sense now.

[jackarabit]

Good man, Jc. Took the heat; stayed in the kit chen. Got a taste of the ingredients and ready to cook. The skillset will come with practice. Good luck.

[Willy.VdW]

This Concept2 video shows rowing on slides. At about 2min in the video, 2 connected rowers are shown.
It looks like the athletes have a quite different hand(le) position technique:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DVuJd5vu_M