Brand New To The Forum

[[old] tibanks]

Hello all my name is Tina I am new to ERGing and the forum, Ive been lurking for about a month now. I have also joined Ducks in a Row. I dont really know how well Im doing, or even if I am rowing correctly, I am really trying hard to work on my form most of all. I am working on improving the amount of time I spend on the rower, right now I usually spend about 20 to 25 mins and I like to do this about 3 to 4 times a week. I am rowing for weight loss, and for general health..Id like to eventually be able to row for about 30 to 45min. I find that my strokes seem to be a little high at 31 with my damper set at 3, not sure if this is ok.<br /><br />Last week I took the week off, since I was having some problems with my muscles. I have a form of Muscular Dystrophy, so I have good and bad days. Seems like taking the week off has set me back a bit since when I did attempt to row today I could only row for about 10min. Oh well I will continue to plug ahead and gradually increase my time again. <br /><br />Its a pleasure to be here, and this place is a great source of info. Thanks for making this a exceptional forum.<br /><br />Tina in OR

[[old] gengonushi]

<!--QuoteBegin-tibanks+Feb 6 2006, 07:33 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(tibanks @ Feb 6 2006, 07:33 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Last week I took the week off, since I was having some problems with my muscles.  I have a form of Muscular Dystrophy, so I have good and bad days.  Seems like taking the week off has set me back a bit since when I did attempt to row today I could only row for about 10min.  Oh well I will continue to plug ahead and gradually increase my time again.  <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Tina--<br /><br />I know where you're coming from, in my own way. We just have to keep getting back on the rower, that's the key. Hang in there!<br /><br />There are tons of good posts here and lots of information. I'm learning so much. Tomorrow's goal is to stop "flapping" like a duck and throw in some stats here at the site.<br /><br />Good luck and have fun!<br /><br />Michele

[[old] tibanks]

Thank you Michele..I know its a learning process, I guess you have to flap before your fly.<br /><br />Tina

[[old] Hapa]

<!--QuoteBegin-tibanks+Feb 6 2006, 07:33 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(tibanks @ Feb 6 2006, 07:33 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Hello all my name is Tina I am new to ERGing and the forum, Ive been lurking for about a month now.  I have also joined Ducks in a Row.  I dont really know how well Im doing, or even if I am rowing correctly, I am really trying hard to work on my form most of all.  I am working on improving the amount of time I spend on the rower, right now I usually spend about 20 to 25 mins and I like to do this about 3 to 4 times a week.  I am rowing for weight loss, and for general health..Id like to eventually be able to row for about 30 to 45min.  I find that my strokes seem to be a little high at 31 with my damper set at 3, not sure if this is ok.<br /><br />Last week I took the week off, since I was having some problems with my muscles.  I have a form of Muscular Dystrophy, so I have good and bad days.  Seems like taking the week off has set me back a bit since when I did attempt to row today I could only row for about 10min.  Oh well I will continue to plug ahead and gradually increase my time again.  <br /><br />Its a pleasure to be here, and this place is a great source of info.  Thanks for making this a exceptional forum.<br /><br />Tina in OR <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Hi Tina,<br /><br />Welcome to the Ducks! Even though I don't post often, it's always a good motivator to me to check in and see how everyone is doing. <br /><br />Regarding how you're doing, if you haven't already, check out the various resources available on proper form etc. The damper setting of 3 should be fine for you, but if the 31 refers to your strokes per minute, it might be a bit high. The stroke rate will vary depending on the type of workout, but you want to make sure that whatever rate you're using has the proper ratio of 1 count on the drive (from start of pushing off the foot stretchers to when your hands finish at your body) and 2 counts on the recovery. <br /><br />If your back or other muscles has been bothering you, make sure you're stretching really well before and especially after your workout. I would also imagine that with MD, you have to be careful about not overdoing it and building up your strenth and endurance very slowly? I know that when I started working out again on the erg last year, my back was very touchy about overdoing it for the first month or so. I had to really force myself to warm up for about 10 - 15 min very slowly, not putting any pressure at all, then stretching really well before starting on my actual workout. If I didn't, my back would certainly let me know! <br /><br />Hang in there, and we're all with you!<br /><br />Aiko

[[old] woolsmith]

Hey Tina!<br /><br />Aiko gave some great advice. She may not do "quantity" postings, but she has quality! <br /><br />And it's a good idea to get the technique correct from the beginning, because ya play heck trying to re-work a bad habit! Been there, done that...and still dealing with lots of bad habits. <br /><br />C2 has a free technique video you can order in their online store. And while you're at it, they also have a free training manual and logbooks. I'm going to assume you're going to have to pay shipping, but I'm not sure. I got mine when I ordered some other stuff in addition. And like Aiko said, C2 and C2 UK also have many resources available online. In fact the training manual is available as a *.pdf file if you want to print it out at home.<br /><br />Also, Xeno Muller has a post a few notches up from here, and his signature includes some links to a technique video clip on his website that will take the rowing technique frame by frame. He also sells a video on his website that does a "microscopic" breakdown of the rowing technique.<br /><br />The main thing I did wrong, was on the recovery--I bent my knees too early before my hands got past my knees on the way back to the catch. Let's see, what else--I think the tape from C2 advises new rowers to shoot for 26-30 strokes per minute. When that starts to feel comfortable, you can pull "harder" to increase the force of your stroke, keeping in mind that your legs are the main driving force in the drive, not your arms. Somebody will jump in and help me with this if this doesn't make sense. My brain is just about pure fuzz right now! <br /><br />Anyway, getting back into any exercise program will help to get you more in tune with your body again. You'll be able to "hear" it more clearly when it's telling you to either work harder or back off. <br /><br />In any case, welcome to the Duck Pond!<br /><br />--Jen in WI, where all our ponds our frozen right now<br />

[[old] Jbro]

Hey ladies!<br /><br />Just wanted to introduce myself and say hello! My name is Jen, I live in Southern California (moved here from Washington state 2 years ago) and my rowing accomplishments includes two 2k's and my most recent 5k just this morning. My history goes all the way back 3 days! <br /><br />I'm excited to spend time on this forum learning about this sport as well as gleaning advice, wisdom and motivation from some of you veterans! Maybe even dishing a bit of it out myself in the future! <br /><br />I look forward to getting to know you ladies!

[[old] Canada Goose]

Welcome Jen,<br /><br />We Ducks are awesome in my biased opinion! <br /><br />Keep on rowing and if you have any questions, ask away. I'm certainly not an expert, but there is usually someone with the information that you need.<br /><br />Shannon aka Canada Goose

[[old] gengonushi]

I missed all last week at the gym , but I plan to be there this week. I like being a Duck too, I just don't ever want to flap like one again (=elbow pain). I passed Tempe Town Lake on the way back from picking up my baby brother and his wife at the airport last week, and noticed some rowers on the lake. A duo, a long boat with maybe 6 or so, and a group of skulls (is that what those rowing boats are called?) with trainers on little power things (they kinda looked like those skidoo things, but the person was sitting totally upright) farther up the lake. It looked fun. It also allowed me to share my new passion with people who I hadn't gotten to yet . I call myself an evangelical rower. My own personal opinion is that more people would exercise if they realized it could be painless and fun.<br /><br />Michele

[[old] Alissa]

<!--quoteo(post=56664:date=Feb 21 2006, 11:53 AM:name=Jbro)--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Jbro @ Feb 21 2006, 11:53 AM) </b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>Hey ladies!<br /><br />Just wanted to introduce myself and say hello! My name is Jen, I live in Southern California (moved here from Washington state 2 years ago) and my rowing accomplishments includes two 2k's and my most recent 5k just this morning. My history goes all the way back 3 days! <br /><br />I'm excited to spend time on this forum learning about this sport as well as gleaning advice, wisdom and motivation from some of you veterans! Maybe even dishing a bit of it out myself in the future! <br /><br />I look forward to getting to know you ladies!<br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Hi Jen!<br /><br />Nice to have another Southern Californian on the forum. Welcome! <br /><br />Since you're new to rowing, you may not be aware of the amazing resource in our area...<a href="http://concept2.ipbhost.com/index.php?showuser=568" target="_blank">Xeno Muller </a>'s rowing studio, the <a href="http://www.gorow.com" target="_blank">Iron Oarsman</a>, is in Costa Mesa. We're amazingly lucky to have a place in SoCal where we can go to learn proper technique from an Olympic gold medalist. The classes there include technique and drills with other rowers (as well as tidbits from Xeno's past) to keep it all interesting... <br /><br />Simply the discipline of matching your stroke with those of your classmates (and Xeno often rows with his classes) can be exhilarating!<br /><br />NAYY, but I enjoy rowing there a lot...and thought you might too!<br /><br />Best wishes.<br /><br />Alissa

[[old] Jbro]

Thanks so much for the info, Alissa! This is all so exciting.

[[old] Hapa]

<!--quoteo(post=56679:date=Feb 21 2006, 01:50 PM:name=gengonushi)--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(gengonushi @ Feb 21 2006, 01:50 PM) </b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>I missed all last week at the gym , but I plan to be there this week. I like being a Duck too, I just don't ever want to flap like one again (=elbow pain). I passed Tempe Town Lake on the way back from picking up my baby brother and his wife at the airport last week, and noticed some rowers on the lake. A duo, a long boat with maybe 6 or so, and a group of skulls (is that what those rowing boats are called?) with trainers on little power things (they kinda looked like those skidoo things, but the person was sitting totally upright) farther up the lake. It looked fun. It also allowed me to share my new passion with people who I hadn't gotten to yet . I call myself an evangelical rower. My own personal opinion is that more people would exercise if they realized it could be painless and fun.<br /><br />Michele<br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Hey Michele,<br /><br />If you ever get a chance to get out on the water, you should grab it. While erging can be great for fitness, getting out there on the water and having a great row can't be beat.<br /><br />Having rowed back in college and a few years past, it's amazing how many boat types there can be. You have two types of rowing, sweep and scull. Sweep rowing is where each rower has one oar each, you (of course) have to have an even number of rowers, and boats are called pairs, fours, and eights. Scullers have two oars each and the boats are called singles, doubles, and quads. On a very rare occasion, I think eights have been rigged with sculling riggers just for fun (riggers are the things on the side of the boat that hold the oar and all sorts of other technical stuff). Then, you throw in the coxswain (the little person traditionally in the back of the boat, but some newer boats have them tucked down in the front of the boat) which are definitely found in eights, fours and quads might or might not have them, and you can find the occasional pair/double with a coxswain as well. If you ever watch the Olympics or nationals, it's pretty interesting to try figuring out what class/category of race is on. <br /><br />Aiko

[[old] gengonushi]

Aiko--<br /><br />Thanks for explaining what I was seeing. Thank you for not laughing . At least I couldn't hear you . Anyway, so there's scull and sweep racing. I've seen both types in the Olympics before, but had no idea what was up really. Since I've started the erging, I've become more interested. At least when I told my family in the car that the boats were called sculls, I was right about some of them. I would like to try the water rowing. Not quite up to par for that physically now, but I could be the person that yells, "stroke." Does that person ever get to row, or are they more of a coach...or perhaps in an anger management program (you know, to allow them to yell)? Also, if you row on water, can you/do you erg as well?<br /><br />Thanks again. <br /><br />Michele

[[old] amyisbest@hotmail.com1]

You can definitely do on water rowing as well as erging. Often erging is used as “dry-land” training (so you can still get a work out if it is too windy to row) as well as for standardized tests to test physical abilities (usually 2K and 6K tests). I agree with Aiko...if you get the chance to row on the water, snap it up! I coached several Learn-to-Row courses this past summer, and believe me, you get people of all different body types, abilities, everything out there. Don't feel that you need to have a certain fitness level before you try it. If you can erg, you can row! 8)

[[old] duck#54]

<br />I am new to rowing. Since January 9 I have roweed 190K meters.<br />Aiming for that million number....in the long run.<br />I would like to post my meters with Ducks in a Row.<br />Excuse my ignorance but how do I do that?<br /><br />And question #2<br /><br />Feet:<br />Is it best to have one's feet securely fastened into the straps so that the heel does not come up at all? Or, is it better to allow the heel to come up a bit? It seems like I get a better push through the heel portion of my foot.<br /><br />Duck#54<br /><br /><br /><br /><!--quoteo(post=20037:date=Feb 25 2005, 11:09 AM:name=LindaM)--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(LindaM @ Feb 25 2005, 11:09 AM) </b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>Hi All you newbies and lurker potential newbies - C'mon, take the plunge! We're nice. And we want to hear from you. Tell us what you are thinking. Ask your questions. Share your successes. Tell us about those stumbles too. What hurts? What feels great? What do you want to get from rowing? Why does rowing work for you? And that's just for starters.<br /> </td></tr></table><br />

[[old] Citroen]

<!--quoteo(post=57466:date=Feb 27 2006, 07:27 PM:name=duck#54)--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(duck#54 @ Feb 27 2006, 07:27 PM) </b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'>Feet:<br />Is it best to have one's feet securely fastened into the straps so that the heel does not come up at all? Or, is it better to allow the heel to come up a bit? It seems like I get a better push through the heel portion of my foot.<br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Try rowing strapless, don't tie your feet down at all. Once you get used to that you'll only need to tie your feet down for high speed racing.