Would you feel offended by someone commenting on your rowing technique?

Morf3h

I was looking at a fella on the erg in the gym today... he was literally hunched over on the machine, killing himself and doing no favours for his lower back.

I wanted to go over and give him a few tips. I've rowed competitively and have been taught the correct technique and which pitfalls to avoid etc.

I know the above may sound pretentious, but I got into rowing when a fella came over to me first time I got on a machine to tell me I was doing it all wrong and I appreciated it as I had back problems as a kid.

I know a lot of people use the rowing machines for a good aerobic workout. 5/10mins or 1/2/5k or whatever. But it's not the first time I've seen terrible technique.

Thoughts? Would you tell a complete stranger to fo?

MarkY91

my personally wouldnt say anyhting because im shy lol but its hard to tell if they would take is a being very chekky or appreciate the help from a more experienced person, im new to them myself but i think im doing it grand


does the rowing machine work your arms shoulders etc like weights would? like will it help me grow muscles?..i do it for 10 mins after my workout just to add

AntiVirus

I might feel offended if some one came over and just said "No no no! you're doing it all wrong". It just depends on how you bring it up. I'd ask him when he's finished how he finds the rowing and what type of rowing he's doing, ie quick 2000 metres or a long 5000 metres. Then throw in a couple of tips here and there.

I'd love if someone gave me some tips on my rowing when I'm rowing

AntiVirus

MarkY91 wrote: »

does the rowing machine work your arms shoulders etc like weights would? like will it help me grow muscles?..i do it for 10 mins after my workout just to add

It would help but you would be better off doing weights if you want to get big muscles fast. Rowing hard kills!

Frogdog

If I were you, in other words someone that seems to know more than the average person about rowing, then of course I'd tell him if he was doing it wrong, especially if it was going to lead to injury/back problems.

It's constructive criticism after all. If he can't handle it, let him off and be content in the knowledge that he'll get his dues after rowing like an idiot for a while.

Morf3h

AntiVirus wrote: »

It would help but you would be better off doing weights if you want to get big muscles fast. Rowing hard kills!

Haha, yeah it's pretty intense as a workout.

@Mark: My coach once said to me that rowing is 80% legs. Most of your power input to the machine/boat is the initial push and slide, and not so much the arms/back.

MistyCheese

It might be an idea to flag down a member of staff, explain to them how you realise it's none of your business but x over there is in danger of doing themselves some serious harm and would benefit from a few words/quick instruction.

The person in question might take advice more seriously from trained staff than a fellow gym member. For all the person knows, you know nothing of rowing and could be telling them to do something incorrectly. Even if the actual truth is you know more than the gym staff.

Morf3h

Good idea. Really all somebody needs to do it watch a few youtube videos. You can learn most of it from there!

stecleary

personally i wouldn't be offended at all and would welcome the advise.

there was a young lad in the gym the other day getting on a machine, never adjusted it to suit him and was only doing half a lift, i pointed it out to him the handles should be chest hight and he thanked me saying it was his first time using the machine. id suppose its all down to the tone and manner in pointing out flaws to people.

MarkY91

AntiVirus wrote: »

It would help but you would be better off doing weights if you want to get big muscles fast. Rowing hard kills!

rowing is just something i do at the end of my workouts, bit of cardio with a little muscle work

AntiVirus

MarkY91 wrote: »

rowing is just something i do at the end of my workouts, bit of cardio with a little muscle work

I used to do it at the end of my workout as well. Now I've switched to the start as well for extra punishment, 2k in and 2k out!

The Guvnor

Morf3h wrote: »

I was looking at a fella on the erg in the gym today... he was literally hunched over on the machine, killing himself and doing no favours for his lower back.

I wanted to go over and give him a few tips. I've rowed competitively and have been taught the correct technique and which pitfalls to avoid etc.

Thoughts? Would you tell a complete stranger to fo?

No - as with 99% of people with poor technique it'd be a full time job.:)

MarkY91

AntiVirus wrote: »

I used to do it at the end of my workout as well. Now I've switched to the start as well for extra punishment, 2k in and 2k out!

i only do 5 minutes at an average speed of 34 kph on monday im gona increase to to minutes...havent a clue how far i row ill check next time

El Horseboxo

I'd be totally outraged if someone commented on my technique. Considering i work out in my shed i'd be wondering why the fook he's in there.

faceman

MistyCheese wrote: »

It might be an idea to flag down a member of staff, explain to them how you realise it's none of your business but x over there is in danger of doing themselves some serious harm and would benefit from a few words/quick instruction.

The person in question might take advice more seriously from trained staff than a fellow gym member. For all the person knows, you know nothing of rowing and could be telling them to do something incorrectly. Even if the actual truth is you know more than the gym staff.

i agree with this. You have no idea how the person might react, they may be new and very self conscious.

I know if it was me and someone came over to me who wasnt an instructor or someone id know, id probably want to punch them in the face! Who are they to say anything if they arent qualified to tell me otherwise!

Lia_lia

I used to row competitively too and ALWAYS notice people rowing...wrongly.

When I worked in a gym a few years ago I would advise people on technique if I noticed they weren't right.

Would never go anywhere near anyone these days in a gym though...I'm just a shy little girl!

Molly

MarkY91 wrote: »

i only do 5 minutes at an average speed of 34 kph on monday im gona increase to to minutes...havent a clue how far i row ill check next time

I think that 34 is your strokes per minute rather than kmph. 5/60 * 34= 2.83 km in 5 minutes

flywheel

from the bookmarks, for anyone interested there's some good resources over on the Concept2 UK site:

Technique / Proper form:
http://concept2.co.uk/training/technique
(also video: http://concept2.co.uk/training/technique_video)

Faults / Corrections:
http://concept2.co.uk/training/faults_corrections
(also video: http://concept2.co.uk/training/faults_corrections_video)

Damper / Intensity setting (don't just flip it up to 10 and go, find the right setting for you!)
http://concept2.co.uk/training/answers?id=12

AntiVirus

Molly wrote: »

5/60 * 34= 2.83 km in 5 minutes

Did you just make that formula up?

One persons 34 SPM does not equal another persons 34 SPM. There's a ton of factors that goes into how far 1 stroke would move you. Power, drive, pull, lenght, weight and most importantly technique.

It becomes an even more complicated formula if you add in the damper settings etc.. :pac:

Molly

Erm, you should probably have a reread of my post, but to save you some time.

The guy says he rows at 34 kph (kilometer's per hour) for 5 minutes
5/60 is equal to how much of an hour he spent rowing.
so 34 * 5/60 is equal to how much you would row if you were rowing at 34 kph for 5 minutes (almost 3 kilometers) which isn't really possible.

AntiVirus

Molly wrote: »

Erm, you should probably have a reread of my post, but to save you some time.

Oops, sorry