I've been using various Concept 2's for over two years now, but I'm still going back and forth over "proper" foot spacing. From weight-lifting I know that a wider foot stance (with both the legs and toes pointed slightly outward) generates more "power", but that this stance also shortens one's stroke. On the other hand, placing my legs and feet perfectly parallel with one another lengthens the stroke, but feels a bit awkward (perhaps because I'm 5'8"?). Any advice on this topic would be appreciated.
The second part of my question on form relates to the "proper" technique of bringing the handle to just below the sternum. I've gotten good results from bringing the handle lower, to just above the navel, but, again, I'm wondering both about "proper" form, as well as the most "efficient" stroke (which may very well differ according to body type).
5'8", 195 lbs. (very muscular), 36 yrs. old, best time-60 Minutes/15,261/setting "1"
Proper foot spacing + Bringing handle below sternum
Re: Proper foot spacing + Bringing handle below sternum
JM,JM wrote: The second part of my question on form relates to the "proper" technique of bringing the handle to just below the sternum. I've gotten good results from bringing the handle lower, to just above the navel, but, again, I'm wondering both about "proper" form, as well as the most "efficient" stroke (which may very well differ according to body type).
5'8", 195 lbs. (very muscular), 36 yrs. old, best time-60 Minutes/15,261/setting "1"
I had been bringing the handle to my sternum, but at a recent time trial, coached by Xeno Mueller, he advised me to bring it in just a bit higher in order to lengthen my stroke. He told me to make sure that I was getting a full range of motion out of the lats.
Re the setting. A setting of 1 is rather low, but the setting itself is not as important as the drag factor, which is dependent (in part) on the setting. Check out your drag factor at various settings and pick a setting that will give you the drag factor you want. The usual recommendation is the range 100-140. The drag factor should be checked each time you start, since at any one particular damper setting, the DF will vary from one erg to another and will change with both temperature and atmospheric pressure.
Bob S.
Thanks for your reply. The "1" was an error (I use the last/very bottom damper setting, which unless I'm mistaken is "10"; I've been very successfully using the Concept 2 in a combined aerobic/anaerobic fashion, which though scientifically inexact, or perhaps - more specifically -impossible, describes my various experiments in attempting to fuse high resistance with high repetition for both strength and aerobic gains).
I'd still appreciate any information about not only the foot "spacing", but also the "heel height"/sliding foot adjustment; in many of the photos on the C2 home page, the feet seem to be positioned rather "low", and I find that in practice, the "lower" the heels, the less leg "leverage" one has, thus reducing power during the "drive". Again, any insight would be appreciated.
I'd still appreciate any information about not only the foot "spacing", but also the "heel height"/sliding foot adjustment; in many of the photos on the C2 home page, the feet seem to be positioned rather "low", and I find that in practice, the "lower" the heels, the less leg "leverage" one has, thus reducing power during the "drive". Again, any insight would be appreciated.