slides?

Andy99 · Post by **Andy99** » June 21st, 2006, 8:26 am

How many of you use slides?

What do slides add to your workout that you dont get without them?

Chad Williams · Post by **Chad Williams** » June 21st, 2006, 8:37 am

Slides improve your performance between 3% - 5%.

I do not use slides. They make a diffeance in performance, that is why they have there own ranking slot in the C2 on-line rankings.

mpukita · Post by **mpukita** » June 21st, 2006, 9:01 am

I use slides for variety, and to have more of a sense of OTW rowing, which they do give you, since the boat moves under you, as does the erg with the slides. And, they do tend to require you to use good form, right from the first pull, as otherwise, you'll bang to the stops. Just like in the boat.

I also think they're easier on the lower back if you have imperfect form, which we all do ... even if only from time-to-time or pull-to-pull.

And, they're fun to row on! The first time you try 'em, you'll be giggling. I guarantee.

I find that slides have no big impact on my times. I actually feel they slow me down a bit, being a LW. I've seen some discussions that the bigger you are, the more they could -- theoretically -- help your times. I train on 'em, and race off 'em. I also train strapless. Strapless and on slides.

So, when I race, or time trail, and I'm off the slides and strapped in, I feel like I have much more power. It's likely a psychological thing due to the different "feel" ... but it's still another tiny motivator or psychological advantage ... at least for me.

All just my OPINION however.

PaulH · Post by **PaulH** » June 21st, 2006, 9:19 am

OR

There's no proof that slides improve times overall, though they may help (or hurt) your times depending on the strengths and deficiencies in your stroke.

They are indicated in the rankings because, while there is evidence that they don't make a difference, they might, so it's helpful to be able to see whether slides were used.

Aside from that I've only used them once, and it felt strange, but I suspect I'd enjoy them once I got used to them, and they do seem to lower some of the stresses on your body.

Cheers, Paul

Chad Williams · Post by **Chad Williams** » June 21st, 2006, 9:20 am

I believe that the improvement in performance on slides is magnified in the more able rowers, no offence meant mark.

All just my OPINION however, but also based on test data.

Alissa · Post by **Alissa** » June 21st, 2006, 9:25 am

Chad Williams wrote:I believe that the improvement in performance on slides is magnified in the more able rowers, no offence meant mark.

All just my OPINION however, but also based on test data.

What test data, Chad? Can you give us a reference or link?

Thanks!

Alissa

mpukita · Post by **mpukita** » June 21st, 2006, 9:26 am

I'm interested Chad ... seriously ... what "test data"? Could you point me to a source?

Everything I've seen published says there is no advantage that can be determined scientifically. Yet, many post this as if it's fact. Maybe it is and I've just missed the results from the study or studies.

ancho · Post by **ancho** » June 21st, 2006, 9:34 am

Chad Williams wrote:I believe that the improvement in performance on slides is magnified in the more able rowers, no offence meant mark.

All just my OPINION however, but also based on test data.

Did yu get the data from John Rupp?

Chad: have you been testing the slides? I haven't up to now. But I've had several goes on RowPerfect, and the feeling is quite different, it makes you push more with your legs and less with the upper body.
RowPerfect idea is superb, general finish is much better on C2.

Chad Williams · Post by **Chad Williams** » June 21st, 2006, 9:37 am

It is out there, go and find it like I did.

It was based on 16 water rowers, all different weights, heights and abilities, they where tested on slides and then off slides, then reversed, slides then static erg.

"In summery, the best performance increase was in the heavier individuals, improvements of between 3%-5%, in the lighter categories (male and female) the performance (making allowances for fatigue) was negative."

johnlvs2run · Post by **johnlvs2run** » June 21st, 2006, 9:37 am

ancho wrote:I've had several goes on RowPerfect, and the feeling is quite different, it makes you push more with your legs and less with the upper body.
RowPerfect idea is superb, general finish is much better on C2.

How do you like the RowPerfect?

johnlvs2run · Post by **johnlvs2run** » June 21st, 2006, 9:39 am

Chad Williams wrote:Slides improve your performance between 3% - 5%.

I do not use slides. They make a diffeance in performance, that is why they have there own ranking slot in the C2 on-line rankings.

The first time I used them, my times were 1.5 to 3 seconds faster per 500 meters, and this difference has continued for the first 10 sessions I have done on them.

PaulH · Post by **PaulH** » June 21st, 2006, 9:55 am

John Rupp wrote:The first time I used them, my times were 1.5 to 3 seconds faster per 500 meters, and this difference has continued for the first 10 sessions I have done on them.

I compliment you on being a much better rower than I am, and I'd suggest much better than most of the people on this board - the first time I used them I kept bouncing off the ends, losing my timing, and generally getting a very good aerobic workout with a very poor split.

Cheers, Paul

mpukita · Post by **mpukita** » June 21st, 2006, 9:59 am

Chad Williams wrote:It is out there, go and find it like I did.

It was based on 16 water rowers, all different weights, heights and abilities, they where tested on slides and then off slides, then reversed, slides then static erg.

"In summery, the best performance increase was in the heavier individuals, improvements of between 3%-5%, in the lighter categories (male and female) the performance (making allowances for fatigue) was negative."

Gee, thanks Chad. You have the study, know where it is, but don't want to point me to it because I need to do the same work you did? What a guy. Thanks a bunch.

OK, so you told me:

Chad Williams wrote:I believe that the improvement in performance on slides is magnified in the more able rowers, no offence meant mark.

All just my OPINION however, but also based on test data.

So, when you posted this you knew (if this is a valid study and I sense you believe it is) performance on slides improves for HWs and handicaps LW rowers. This is EXACTLY what I said I thought was true in my prior post.

It looks like it has nothing to do with "able" (like you) or "incapable" (like me, as you insinuate) rowers, but WEIGHT ... once again assuming one believes whatever mystery study you refer to.

Just trying to get to the facts so the people who read this string and really care about getting better and learning more about the sport know what they should believe and what they should ignore ... and not take away incorrect information upon which they might base their training, and get a poor or substandard result.

Francois · Post by **Francois** » June 21st, 2006, 10:00 am

Thanks Mark for your valuable feedback!

Regarding efficiency, Paul Smith (an able rower IMO) has done some tests that show that to generate the same watts on slides, one has to increase the stroke rate by about 1.5 spm (if I remember correctly). He concluded that if anything, slides are slightly disadvantageous for someone with good technique. Please Paul, correct me if I am wrong!

Xeno Muller (another able rower!) likes them alot.

John: if you are 3 sec faster then it is probably your technique that is perfectible!

mpukita · Post by **mpukita** » June 21st, 2006, 10:03 am

Hey Francois, how are you? Long time no message ... my fault ... took off two months to just run ... like Forest Gump.