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Hi Rod, There are a few reasons for it... - Firstly I'd say for some, rowing on the erg is not for improving boat technique. They may never go on the water, so that relationship is irrelevant. - Secondly, the high finish position on the body generates a longer stroke on the erg, which helps improve the split time. If I was to keep my wrists flat and elbows level or above the hands, my shoulders would probably be up around my ears if I could even get into that position and my elbows would be flared outwards, which would utilise different, smaller muscles to hold that position, in fact creating a weaker stroke. OR id be forcing myself into an incredibly uncomfortable, tight position. - The way I see it is it actually all starts at the front end. When you connect, initiate and hang well on the erg, momentum is everything. What happens at the back end of the stroke to finish is largely irrelevant. All you're trying to do is hold that momentum for longer in as relaxed a way as possible. I do agree with you, if, total focus is on speed in the boat, you'd want to pay more attention to these finish positions to try to train and replicate, but it would be at the detriment of erg scores. Hope that makes sense! Thanks for the comment and interest. 👍

FANTASTIC! That's a huge improvement very quickly, kudos to you! I'm sure you'll be able to bring this down even further with more time and practice. Rowing is interesting as there are small things that can make big differences for example how you use your own body weight to your advantage can impact massively on your efficiency, power production and therefore times...anyway - sounds like you're doing great! Keep up the fantastic work!

This is so great to read, thanks for taking the time to write this... First thing to say is a huge well done for realising and making a change yoursef - not an easy thing to do! Secondly, yes, simply 10 on the damper lever is too high. Bring it down to around 3 or 4, there's no need for it to be higher. With the good technique that you're building, YOU will create your own resistance and create a workout plenty hard enough....as you're already finding! Rowing is quite unique in that it does use a huge number of muscles in the body in sequence. With correct technique and sequence of movements, you'll feel the fatige quicker. This is a good thing for a few reasons: It's efficient exercise, you could spend less time for the same benefit & it also encourages you to build awareness and control in your training. Stroke rate for example is key here as a tool to be able to control effort levels. If you can build up the skill to be consistent and controlled with your stroke rate that'll give you the platform to do anything you want in your rowing training. Give it time, be patient, you're onto something!!

@@alexgregorygb thank you. I’ve taken on board your advice. Thank you for taking the time to reply. I’ve watched more of the videos you have and picked up a few more pointers 😊. Thank you!!

Pleased to hear, thank you and happy to help.

Ah sorry to hear that. What would you change?

@@alexgregorygb I would go more into detail, when to activate smaller muscles, drive height, finger position, power curve, and legs for recovery

​@@TheNikkSazz Great. All good things to add.

It's difficult to say, not exactly locked in a stiff, uncomfortable position, but they should fully extend for sure!

@@alexgregorygb thank you

Let me know yhow you go with brining the stroke rate down...It's a tough thing to do and control to start with, and will be for a while, but get a really good grounding with great technique at lower stroke rates and your times, efficiency, rhythm etc etc will improve at the higher stroke rates! Build the foundations... I have the dameper at around 4 which usually gives a drag factor of around 130.

@alexgregorygb Much appreciated Alex. I will absolutely follow your advice and will feedback in a couple of weeks. Thanks also for the drag factor. I've been using 120 (ish) but recently increased to 140 for my HIIT sessions.

Ahhh excellent news. The Concept II's last forever too, so old or not, still a great tool! Happy to help, any questions just shout. Certainly understand the knee thing, one of the many beauties of rowing.

Thanks! Glad to hear.

Hi Dave, thanks and that's great to hear. I'll have a think and plan something along those lines. Please feel free to get in contact if you would like; alex@alexgregorygb.com You could also check out mindbodyrow.com where I have many more rowing films uploaded to row alongside and update regularly. Just another option that may help. Best, Alex.

Some of us still are! Get a gun.

Been hiding 🧞‍♂

I can safely say, the noise of the crowd was certainly a part of the victory that day! Another moment was while sitting on the start line, I will never forget this moment. It's a quiet, nervous place. There's nothing really going on down there, until the umpire calls over the tannoy..."Lane 1 Germany...Lane 2 Netherlands....." It remained completely silent down there until "Lane 6 Great Britain..." In that moment we were hit by this wall of noise that had rolled 2km up the lake - The Home Crowd, incredible. I'll tell you what, that was the surge of adrenaline we needed just at the right time!

Thanks and I'm really pleased to hear. Fluidity in motion is a huge asset in rowing, keep up the great work!

Hi Andy, thanks for the comment, it's great to hear what you're doing and about Arthur's rowing too. He'll have a great time rowing at Stamford I'm sure! Thanks for subscribing, I'll be adding workouts and tips here as we go, which will hopefully help, and give you support as you progress. If you're looking for more though, I have an online platform called 'Mind Body Row' which is filled with rows and other things. I add new content all the time and theres plenty of variety. Here's a link if you're interested: mindbodyrow.com/ Thanks! Any questions you have at any point just shout - here to help!

Only some of them...

@@alexgregorygb 😁

Ha! I like rowing with a good view! It's not so difficult to take those machines out and about...

@@alexgregorygb In all seriousness, I'm glad I came across this workout. I've been wanting to use the rower in my gym for a "lunch break" workout. I'm super keen to give it a go. Many thanks.

@@rtb7538 Pleased to hear it, let me know how you go. I'll be adding more and more so keep an eye out. Any questions, just shout!

Yes, but don't worry! That really is a difficult part of rowing - to find a stroke rate and hold it consistent. But it's really worth pursuing that skill. I hope you see it as a challenge and not a problem. It will come much more natural over time, be patient, and it will help with everything you want to do in your rowing fitness journey! Well done!

Thanks!

Thank you Neil, pleased to hear it. I'll be adding more and more so if it's helpful stay tuned...cheers!

Thanks for posting these Alex, I’ve been finding it hard to get back on my rower after a break of some months but your enthusiasm and delivery are great. It’s so good to be able to follow along with a workout that isn’t shouting at you to push harder but gently encourages you to work within your own capabilities. Cheers!

​@@bigfromagemovies Pleased to hear and completely understand...it's always pretty damn hard coming back after a break. The only thing I can say is take the pressure off yourself, definitely don't try to hit the same times or distances as you did before, give yourself time! Cheers!

Pleased to hear it waas useful. Good luck on your rowing journey, Shout if you have any questions at any point!

Glad to hear it!

Thanks and really appreciate it. More to come which I hope will provide some support & benefit!

Thanks John