[quote]HaveIronWillLift wrote:
[quote]LiquidMercury wrote:
[quote]HaveIronWillLift wrote:
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How can poor technique damage the erg?
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My rowing technique is not geared towards actual rowing. I use the machine mostly for HIIT row sprints. I also lock out my legs at the finish to get some VMO activation.
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Because I’m rowing HIIT style the machine moves forward with the power phase unless I put weight plates on the front of it.
Question 1 is serious. I’m not claiming to know anything about rowing. Just curious as to what you mean. I’ve seen idiots at the gym using rowing machines in all sorts of ridiculous ways but have never seen a D2 damaged by them.
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- Massive chain whip, lack of connection, and people using fan settings they have no business using result in exponential wear and tear on the erg. Chains break, elasticity bands snap, seats come lose, internal fan structure degrades.
- I don’t give a damn if it’s geared towards actual rowing or simple fitness, piss poor technique (99% of people that use it) can contribute and often does contribute to a multitude of back issues and scapula issues. I tell almost everyone to stay off unless they have an actual rower teach them (personal trainers don’t know shit about the machine and teach it wrong all the time).
- No, it has nothing to do with you rowing HIIT style, the machine moves forward because you have shitty technique.
I have been a competitive rower at the highest levels in the country, and a coach for many years now. I oversee equipment management for my club as well and am constantly having to fix ergs that we designate to our “Development Squad” (middle school program) because of crappy technique. This isn’t something that is learned easily or quickly. I’ve got seniors in high school that still erg like crap because they just don’t get it, it is extremely technical.
For more information see this thread where I go into lots of depth about technique, physiological and psychological aspects of training with an erg, and a multitude of other tid bits of information about the erg and the sport of rowing.
Thanks for the info. I will read the thread. Sounds like I have a lot to learn. Perhaps I will upload a video of my stroke when I have the time and you can advise. I actually row two different ways BTW:
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I attempt to row with good form at a moderate pace. One of my form guides was a series of youtube videos on basic rowing technique by Anna-Marie de Zwager.
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HIIT style explosively driving with my legs from the catch and then returning to catch from finish much quicker than I would when practicing good form. This is when the erg moves. I imagine from what you’ve said that this is not good.[/quote]
Anna Marie does decent videos, I’m not a huge fan how she explains some things but I’ve seen a lot worse for sure. Stop doing your HIIT style rowing. It’s not effective not efficient and hard on the machine. You want to maximize your recovery time and minimize your drive time (i.e. more rest, more wattage on the drive). Read through that thread, it’s a good read and I analyze a few peoples form in there via video as well as a litany of other information about actual training on the erg and how to best use it for fitness purposes.