Difficulty holding handle bar

General discussions about getting and staying fit that don't relate directly to your indoor rower
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ggumpshots
Paddler
Posts: 9
Joined: April 28th, 2017, 10:40 pm

Difficulty holding handle bar

Post by ggumpshots » April 7th, 2020, 2:20 am

What can I do to relieve the pain when using the handle bar when rowing?
The joints of all of my middle phalanges ache on each pull.
I hold the bar very lightly and have tried to alter my grip without success.
I wear padded gloves to try to reduce the pain.It helps a little.

I usually row around 6300m/30min , 3 or 4 times week and maybe 10k once a month.

I haven't used weight straps but with how they are configured I am doubtful that would work .
I don't want to spend $40 on straps for one try.
Any ideas before things get worse?
thanks

jamesg
Marathon Poster
Posts: 4226
Joined: March 18th, 2006, 3:44 am
Location: Trentino Italy

Re: Difficulty holding handle bar

Post by jamesg » April 7th, 2020, 3:38 am

I think you need a specialist.

As far as rowing is concerned all you can do is make sure the strokes are long and light: drag vanishingly small, rating not too low.

I use a filter over the air inlet to get drag down to 85 so that I can use my height even at low ratings and low forces. Keeps the fan clean too.
08-1940, 179cm, 83kg.

Dangerscouse
Marathon Poster
Posts: 10697
Joined: April 27th, 2014, 11:11 am
Location: Liverpool, England

Re: Difficulty holding handle bar

Post by Dangerscouse » April 7th, 2020, 3:41 am

I agree with James, this sounds like a medical issue. I have never experienced anything like this and I don't think I know anyone that has.
51 HWT; 6' 4"; 1k= 3:09; 2k= 6:36; 5k= 17:19; 6k= 20:47; 10k= 35:46 30mins= 8,488m 60mins= 16,618m HM= 1:16.47; FM= 2:40:41; 50k= 3:16:09; 100k= 7:52:44; 12hrs = 153km

"You reap what you row"

Instagram: stuwenman

ggumpshots
Paddler
Posts: 9
Joined: April 28th, 2017, 10:40 pm

Re: Difficulty holding handle bar

Post by ggumpshots » April 7th, 2020, 6:06 am

I forgot to mention I have arthritis in my figers,At the moment the benefits outlaw the pain.
veyr interesting about ways to reduce drag.

ggumpshots
Paddler
Posts: 9
Joined: April 28th, 2017, 10:40 pm

Re: Difficulty holding handle bar

Post by ggumpshots » April 7th, 2020, 10:40 am

At the moment the benefits outway the pain.

Huopaaja
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Posts: 41
Joined: April 21st, 2020, 3:30 am

Re: Difficulty holding handle bar

Post by Huopaaja » April 22nd, 2020, 11:14 am

Hey, if you want to avoid investing in weightlifting straps, or better yet gymnastics bar grips, there’s a d-i-y version commonly used in crossfit. All you need is wide sports tape or hockey tape. I made a pair (mostly to prevent blisters, but they also help with grip to some extent), got a couple of hundred km on them already, and they’re still fine. Just follow these instructions https://elinaknaapi.com/2018/01/16/peru ... li-lamsat/
The text is in Finnish, which may or may not be understandable with google translate, but the pictures are quite self-explanatory. If you want to give it a shot, I’d suggest you go for the double model at the end and make them just long enough to go around the handle once, about where you’d wear a wristwatch.

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