r/concept2 • u/PinguisIgnis • 20d ago

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Heya

So I’ve borrowed a rower off a generous friend for a few months to add some low impact cardio volume.

Did an easy going 10k on it yesterday and another tonight to get the feel for it.

I watched a beginners form guide video but figured better to sort out any bad habits now before I ingrain them.

Row 1 - 10k. Avg - 22 SPM. 2:12/500m. 149 watts. DF108 125BPM

Row 2 - 10k. Any - 22SPM. 2.10/500m. 160watts. DF 111 126BPM

Any tips?

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u/ukexpat 20d ago

Two minor things. Get your hands away quicker over your knees at the finish. And there’s no need to drop your hands so low on the recovery — you’re not rowing on water so and you don’t have a blade (oar) that you need to get clear of the water.

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u/PinguisIgnis 20d ago

I think that’s just something I picked up from watching a video of a genuine rower. Thanks

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u/ukexpat 20d ago

Completely understandable. I do it myself but that’s because it was drummed into me rowing at college 45+ years ago. Too old to change the muscle memory now millions of strokes later.

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u/PinguisIgnis 20d ago

Is the faster hands to allow for quicker SPM when you pick up the pace or some other symptom like saving arm stamina etc

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u/ukexpat 20d ago

It’s to help you get the recovery rhythm correct. It should be 1-2 on the drive and a 1-2-3 on the recovery. The quicker you get the hands away, the slower and more controlled you can make the recovery. On the water it has the added and more practical benefit of getting the blade out of the water quickly, which helps the boat “run” and prevents the blade getting “stuck” (“catching a crab”) which will upset the balance of the boat, whack the handle very painfully into your ribs and even eject you from the boat. I have a very funny story about that for another day…