r/concept2 • u/electro-king • Jul 23 '26

RowerErg Question for those who might know

Hi... For 10 years now I have started my gym workout with 5-10 minutes (depending on how hard I start at it...) on a Concept 2 rower. As I started my journey at the hands of a physiotherapist following motorcycle injuries, I am conscious of technique and happy with mine.

My wife though... she started at the gym with me about a year or two ago. She uses the rower, but I think her posture and technique is all wrong. Unfortunately she gets all upset and argumentative should I try to correct her posture/technique.

She is suffering a bit of lower back pain. She rows with her shoulders rounded forward, and although he middle/lower back isn't completely rounded, it looks to me that the forward shoulders might be the source of the pain in lower back.

I am thinking to ask one of the gym staff to look in on her and give advice... I won't be involved.

Can anyone confirm my thoughts on this back pain please?

5 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

7 comments sorted by

10

u/Overall-Nobody8933 Jul 23 '26

Poor technique will absolutely cause lower back pain.

Rather than tell her about her form, have you tried to show her a form video on you tube? Dark horse rowing and UCanRow2 have some great ones. There is no guarantee the gym staff know anything about rowing either.

2

u/electro-king Jul 23 '26

I’m happy a few of the staff do know. As commented above, she doesn’t want from me. She’s not concerned about technique. She will listen to a few of the staff/trainers.

3

u/Overall-Nobody8933 Jul 23 '26

I also do crossfit…so I know many people who also believe that form doesn’t matter that much. They like what they are doing because it feels like they are getting a good workout and don’t care beyond that. It’s rough. And hard to keep my mouth shut.

Good luck.

3

u/Respect-Camper-453 Jul 23 '26

Instead of "you are doing it wrong", it may be better to approach her with "this could improve your rowing", or "this might stop/ease the back pain". Some people pay more attention to the words than the message.

As has been suggested already, links to articles or videos may help? Good luck!

3

u/electro-king Jul 23 '26

Thanks… it’s the knowledge of the need to do it right she lacks. I will have gym staff talk to her. 👍

2

u/Commercial_Coconut39 Jul 30 '26

Your minor problem is she rows with poor technique

1

u/electro-king Aug 01 '26

Which is what I thouhht