That's so nice of you to say. This was one of the first things I saw this morning when I woke up - and it was lovely to get such a positive response to what I do. Any questions or feedback, just get in touch.
Thanks John, for your continued assistance with providing knowledge through your experiences. I was taught the proper technique on the Concept 2, by my son, who rowed during college. To me, rowing has been my preferred source of cardio and exercise but always lacked a companion rower, since my son has moved out. Your channel has provided me with both a companion and coach, to row along with every day. My wife has now been following you 3-4 times weekly as well, via your RUclips channel and Ergzone. It has been a breath of fresh air, rowing along with you. I have watched various RUclips channels prior to finding you and have never looked back. Your continued dedication to the sport and to all of us, requires a lot of praise. From my wife and I, thank you so much for all of your hard work and dedication.
This was the first thing I saw this morning when I worke up. Thanks Gary for sending such a nice message. I'm really pleased to know that my videos have been helping keep you motivated to get continue to get through workouts - and that I've also make it a family affair with your wife too makes it even better. Just shows, the good foundation you got from your son's teachings obviously paid off.
Thanks for this! I am an unskilled rower and have had shin splints so many times. I know I use the straps to pull forward. I'll definitely focus on practicing this - thanks for taking the time to create this video!
I found you a couple of weeks ago actually looking at Holofit which I use with a bike.. I’ve now forked out for a concept 2 ! :) your videos will be super useful getting started so thanks for that and thanks for keeping it free! Super refreshing in this day and age.
Welcome aboard! If you've got any questions about setup etc for the Concept2 just get in touch (I do have a video up here somehere too). And yes, the free thing is really the only way I can give myself the freedom to make these. If I charged, I think the pressure of needing to deliver would really spoil the videos.
Thanks. Love your tips! I recently pulled my vintage Precor 612 rowing machine out of the closet to use with Holofit. I know my body position is much closer to the desired form than your bad form examples. I know I wasn't relying on the straps, but I just went and tried it without the straps, and I do feel some pressure on my heels on the stoppers at the bottom of the footrests during the forward movement. I'm not sure if that means I'm doing something wrong. My Precor "oars" don't retract forward, it's all up to me. I do feel my quads are the most used muscles on the forward movement.
@@rowalong Thanks. That's actually a bit of a relief to hear as it certainly felt less natual. It felt more natural when I was using the straps slightly to initiate movement forward. I watched your video and then tried it without the straps. The only way I could find to move forward without the straps was to put a bit of pressure on my heals on the end of the footrests and that seems to ultimately use my upper leg muscles. (Although it actually does seem I'm using a variety of muscles in my legs, just some more than others.) I have no pully and have to push the oars back forward with no assist from the machine. Now I'm totally confused, lol. I'll go back to relying slightly on the straps while doing further research. I'll watch your video again as well to see what I missed or misconstrued. I will say I think I have good body form and it comes down to which muscles I am supposed to be engaging to make myself move forward.
Hello. I have another question please not really related to this video but still within the realms of rowing; If I increase the drag factor, does the Concept II take this into account when it displays distance? (or even watts) What I mean is that say with a drag factor of 135, I do 7k in 30 minutes. Now I increase the drag factor to 150? For each pull, does the Concept II know and take into account that the drag factor is higher? So would my time still be around 7k in 30 minutes? Or does it not take drag factor into account and the Concept II would think I'm going slower (due to the higher drag factor) and I would perhaps do 7k in 33 mins for example on the display? Thanks in advance for clearing up the mystery side of rowing for me.
Yeah, the whole 'point' of Drag Factor is that this is how it makes it even for all machines, no matter what the setting is. So if you row a 7:30 2K at bottom drag factor, and a 7:30 2K at top drag factor - you still have to put in the same amount of power in through each stroke (I think it's 246Watts) to complete it. The difference is that at the BOTTOM drag, you'll find you'll either need to increase the stroke rate or be really explosive with the leg drive to get up to pace (therefore using a LOT more of your cardio than your muscles) but at the top drag you'll be more about muscles and slightly less cardio. So yes. The Concept2 takes drag factor into account.
This pulling on the straps is probably something that I do but n the demo at 3m 54s, I can't see any difference between the "bad" and "good" technique. I can only see a real difference when you do it in "demo" (slow motion) mode. The other question I have is about bending the knees instead to go forward. We are attached to the machine at the front so to go forward, it seems logical to me that we need to be attached and pull on something to get forward quickly and the straps seem to be there to do this? I've watched this video a couple of times but still don't really get it. Can you help please? And just out of curiosity. When you do these videos, what is your drag factor set to?
Hey. So if you look at my lower back especially, you'll see the difference in the demo - again, I'm not saying I have an awesome stroke in my 'normal' one - but you should hopefully see that in the bad one, my lower back curves backwards on the recovery, and my knees pop up - meaning I have to throw the handle over my knees. And those are the two issues that pulling forwards creates - and then leads to the speed/effeciency and injury problems. Eventually, when the stroke rate gets high enough - the straps do get used more. But don't think about them as a way to pull yourself forwards. Think of them as something to brace against at the back of the stroke to stop you flattening off the back of the machine. The higher the rate, the more momentum you have going back, and regardless of technique eventually there becomes a breaking point where you need to use the straps. But the straps don't need to come into the play to get yourself forwards again. Look at the part where I was strapless rowing - and I use the momentum of the arms away and body rock to start the recovery and then bend my knees to slide all the way there. Why do this instead of just pulling on the footstraps? Because pulling 1) Uses muscles you don't need to use, so you're wasting energy 2) It crumples your posture, which then means you're not in the right body position as you come through thr return and into the catch and 3) You're risking lower back issues from theat crumple, and your shin muscles can get torn too. As for DF - in this example I was at 150.
Definitely disagree with the contention that footstraps slow me down. They give me multiple benefits and comfort so only see that as a benefit. I respect alternative viewpoints but this seems more like the barefoot running zealots who were around 10-13 years ago telling me my shoes were hurting me and slowing me down. Fortunately 99.9 percent of runners ignored the noise and the “craze” disappeared quickly
Haha. I don’t think it’s quite like barefoot running - I think the chances of running over glass outweigh any benefits that bare feet may offer. As to the rowing, as click baity as the proposition in the title may sound, often when people get in touch to say they can’t get the power in, they can’t get the feel of hanging from the handle, or they can’t get the stroke rate up - the origin of the issue is that they’re collapsing their posture because they’re yanking themselves forwards with the footstraps.
@@rowalong I did fall victim to the clickbait but later watched the video for about 10 min. I didn't know people pulled on them like that. Never have seen that before.
John, your videos are the best, bar none! I sincerely mean that. When I’m listening to you, rowing loses its drudgery for me. Again, thanks!
That's so nice of you to say. This was one of the first things I saw this morning when I woke up - and it was lovely to get such a positive response to what I do. Any questions or feedback, just get in touch.
Thanks John, for your continued assistance with providing knowledge through your experiences.
I was taught the proper technique on the Concept 2, by my son, who rowed during college.
To me, rowing has been my preferred source of cardio and exercise but always lacked a companion rower, since my son has moved out.
Your channel has provided me with both a companion and coach, to row along with every day.
My wife has now been following you 3-4 times weekly as well, via your RUclips channel and Ergzone.
It has been a breath of fresh air, rowing along with you. I have watched various RUclips channels prior to finding you and have never looked back.
Your continued dedication to the sport and to all of us, requires a lot of praise.
From my wife and I, thank you so much for all of your hard work and dedication.
This was the first thing I saw this morning when I worke up. Thanks Gary for sending such a nice message. I'm really pleased to know that my videos have been helping keep you motivated to get continue to get through workouts - and that I've also make it a family affair with your wife too makes it even better. Just shows, the good foundation you got from your son's teachings obviously paid off.
Thanks for this! I am an unskilled rower and have had shin splints so many times. I know I use the straps to pull forward. I'll definitely focus on practicing this - thanks for taking the time to create this video!
Same. Lost count of the times I've had shin splints and I always pull the straps loose.
thank you for these as well. picking up after years away and want to make sure I keep good form. appreciate all these videos.
Glad you like them!
This video answers so many questions. Great tips, great content. Thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
I found you a couple of weeks ago actually looking at Holofit which I use with a bike.. I’ve now forked out for a concept 2 ! :) your videos will be super useful getting started so thanks for that and thanks for keeping it free! Super refreshing in this day and age.
Welcome aboard! If you've got any questions about setup etc for the Concept2 just get in touch (I do have a video up here somehere too). And yes, the free thing is really the only way I can give myself the freedom to make these. If I charged, I think the pressure of needing to deliver would really spoil the videos.
Great video, thank you for putting this out there!
My pleasure!
Great tips thank you. This is one of my nemesis points. Keep catching myself doing it especially at high spm. Good to see some pointers.
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks!
No problem!
Thanks. Love your tips! I recently pulled my vintage Precor 612 rowing machine out of the closet to use with Holofit. I know my body position is much closer to the desired form than your bad form examples. I know I wasn't relying on the straps, but I just went and tried it without the straps, and I do feel some pressure on my heels on the stoppers at the bottom of the footrests during the forward movement. I'm not sure if that means I'm doing something wrong. My Precor "oars" don't retract forward, it's all up to me. I do feel my quads are the most used muscles on the forward movement.
I think if your quads are activating no your return, there's certainly something strange happening.
@@rowalong Thanks. That's actually a bit of a relief to hear as it certainly felt less natual. It felt more natural when I was using the straps slightly to initiate movement forward. I watched your video and then tried it without the straps. The only way I could find to move forward without the straps was to put a bit of pressure on my heals on the end of the footrests and that seems to ultimately use my upper leg muscles. (Although it actually does seem I'm using a variety of muscles in my legs, just some more than others.) I have no pully and have to push the oars back forward with no assist from the machine. Now I'm totally confused, lol. I'll go back to relying slightly on the straps while doing further research. I'll watch your video again as well to see what I missed or misconstrued. I will say I think I have good body form and it comes down to which muscles I am supposed to be engaging to make myself move forward.
Hello. I have another question please not really related to this video but still within the realms of rowing; If I increase the drag factor, does the Concept II take this into account when it displays distance? (or even watts)
What I mean is that say with a drag factor of 135, I do 7k in 30 minutes. Now I increase the drag factor to 150? For each pull, does the Concept II know and take into account that the drag factor is higher? So would my time still be around 7k in 30 minutes? Or does it not take drag factor into account and the Concept II would think I'm going slower (due to the higher drag factor) and I would perhaps do 7k in 33 mins for example on the display? Thanks in advance for clearing up the mystery side of rowing for me.
Yeah, the whole 'point' of Drag Factor is that this is how it makes it even for all machines, no matter what the setting is. So if you row a 7:30 2K at bottom drag factor, and a 7:30 2K at top drag factor - you still have to put in the same amount of power in through each stroke (I think it's 246Watts) to complete it.
The difference is that at the BOTTOM drag, you'll find you'll either need to increase the stroke rate or be really explosive with the leg drive to get up to pace (therefore using a LOT more of your cardio than your muscles) but at the top drag you'll be more about muscles and slightly less cardio.
So yes. The Concept2 takes drag factor into account.
@@rowalong Thanks a lot for that explanation
This pulling on the straps is probably something that I do but n the demo at 3m 54s, I can't see any difference between the "bad" and "good" technique. I can only see a real difference when you do it in "demo" (slow motion) mode. The other question I have is about bending the knees instead to go forward. We are attached to the machine at the front so to go forward, it seems logical to me that we need to be attached and pull on something to get forward quickly and the straps seem to be there to do this? I've watched this video a couple of times but still don't really get it. Can you help please?
And just out of curiosity. When you do these videos, what is your drag factor set to?
Hey. So if you look at my lower back especially, you'll see the difference in the demo - again, I'm not saying I have an awesome stroke in my 'normal' one - but you should hopefully see that in the bad one, my lower back curves backwards on the recovery, and my knees pop up - meaning I have to throw the handle over my knees. And those are the two issues that pulling forwards creates - and then leads to the speed/effeciency and injury problems.
Eventually, when the stroke rate gets high enough - the straps do get used more. But don't think about them as a way to pull yourself forwards. Think of them as something to brace against at the back of the stroke to stop you flattening off the back of the machine. The higher the rate, the more momentum you have going back, and regardless of technique eventually there becomes a breaking point where you need to use the straps.
But the straps don't need to come into the play to get yourself forwards again. Look at the part where I was strapless rowing - and I use the momentum of the arms away and body rock to start the recovery and then bend my knees to slide all the way there. Why do this instead of just pulling on the footstraps? Because pulling 1) Uses muscles you don't need to use, so you're wasting energy 2) It crumples your posture, which then means you're not in the right body position as you come through thr return and into the catch and 3) You're risking lower back issues from theat crumple, and your shin muscles can get torn too.
As for DF - in this example I was at 150.
Helpful
Cool editing also!
Thankyou. It’s nice to put some thought into it, not just the side shot!
The vision in tangerine made not one mention of the carrot ;-)
RowAlong Treasure Hunt
Definitely disagree with the contention that footstraps slow me down.
They give me multiple benefits and comfort so only see that as a benefit. I respect alternative viewpoints but this seems more like the barefoot running zealots who were around 10-13 years ago telling me my shoes were hurting me and slowing me down. Fortunately 99.9 percent of runners ignored the noise and the “craze” disappeared quickly
Haha. I don’t think it’s quite like barefoot running - I think the chances of running over glass outweigh any benefits that bare feet may offer.
As to the rowing, as click baity as the proposition in the title may sound, often when people get in touch to say they can’t get the power in, they can’t get the feel of hanging from the handle, or they can’t get the stroke rate up - the origin of the issue is that they’re collapsing their posture because they’re yanking themselves forwards with the footstraps.
@@rowalong I did fall victim to the clickbait but later watched the video for about 10 min. I didn't know people pulled on them like that. Never have seen that before.