Self-assessment of Indoor Rowing Technique

[Alissa]

Just for Tyn...

I seem to recall that some very large percentage of drivers (60-70%?) consider themselves to have better-than-average driving skills.

Granted this poll will be limited to those who post on this forum (self-selected for a higher level of interest in at least talking about indoor rowing), but let's see what people think of their own indoor rowing technique.

Alissa

[Tyn]

Thanks Alissa,
I love your Poll

[Citroen]

You missed a question (for Prof. Cureton).

I think I can row a World record, the rest of the community think not.

[Rockin Roland]

It doesn't really matter.

Rowing on the erg is more about guts than spunk.
You don't need that much in the way of technique to go fast on the erg. There are a lot of people on this forum that try and put too much science into erging. Don't waste your time.

Whatever is comfortable for you to apply the power is all that matters.

It's nothing like being in a boat. I've noticed that some of the top guys (realtive to age groups) on the water, would struggle to pull the the skin off a custard, when they get on a erg. Likewise, many with good results on the erg struggle to impress on the water.

On the erg you just get on the thing and row where as in a boat it's not that simple.

[TomR]

A good poll. I would recommend another category: My technique is Quirky.

If you look at videos of indoor races, you see all sorts of curious styles--the granny grab, handle pulled to the chin, a flick of the wrrist at the catch. Perhaps these are "bad." I prefer to think of them as distinctive.

For example, my stroke is somehow diagonal. At the catch, I am slightly left-of-center and at the finish slightly right-of-center. My upper body travels on a slight bias, while the seat goes perfectly straight along the rail. I cannot account for this. Could it be caused by the earth's rotation?

Tom

[Bob S.]

A good poll. I would recommend another category: My technique is Quirky.

Could it be caused by the earth's rotation?

Tom

Ah, yes - the Coriolus (sp?) force. Kidding, of course, but if it really were, it is interesting to speculate on whether or not a 180 degree reversal of the erg position would result in a reversal of the bias. Or a switch between the Northern and Southern hemispheres.

Bob S.

P.S. I don't know if my erg technique could be described as quirky, but I suspect that some would apply it to a description of my mental processes.

[Tyn]

Ah, yes - the Coriolus (sp?) force. Kidding, of course, but if it really were, it is interesting to speculate on whether or not a 180 degree reversal of the erg position would result in a reversal of the bias. Or a switch between the Northern and Southern hemispheres.

Bob S.

Being on spaceship, not rotating and going approx warp 0.9, could solve his problem i think!

[TPMcT]

A good poll. I would recommend another category: My technique is Quirky.

If you look at videos of indoor races, you see all sorts of curious styles--the granny grab, handle pulled to the chin, a flick of the wrrist at the catch. Perhaps these are "bad." I prefer to think of them as distinctive.

For example, my stroke is somehow diagonal. At the catch, I am slightly left-of-center and at the finish slightly right-of-center. My upper body travels on a slight bias, while the seat goes perfectly straight along the rail. I cannot account for this. Could it be caused by the earth's rotation?

Tom

Tom,

That's not a rowing stroke. That's the evolution of political belief of those of a certain age. Either that, or you're mentally rowing starboard on the erg.

[TomR]

For example, my stroke is somehow diagonal. At the catch, I am slightly left-of-center and at the finish slightly right-of-center. Tom

Tom,

That's not a rowing stroke. That's the evolution of political belief of those of a certain age.

Tim,

A wonderful observation. It does not entirely hold in my case, but the erg as metaphor is promising ground. I keep trying to escape the obvious fact that while on it, we are rowing to nowhere.

Tom

[flan48]

I try to maintain so-called "classic" technique so as to maximize effcient muscle usage and aerobic benefit, while minimizing, hopefully(!), risk of injury.
Best regards
Barry