Rowing and Swimming

I used to row and my friend a swimmer who went to U of Michigan rowed and yes it is very good for you.

I row as well and have found that just in general, it is best to build up all the muscles that feed into/out of your knee so that they are bearing the brunt of the force instead of your knee. Does that make sense? That said, I still have flair ups of pain in my knee on longer row workouts.

Originally posted by craiglll@yahoo.com What is really odd is that top roweres spend as little as 246 hours a week rowing. Since there are only 168 hours in a week, that is very odd. :confused:

I've never tried "real" rowing, however we do own a Concept II Indoor Rower and love it. Craig.....your correct about participation check out; www.concept2.com By the way Mr. Rich A is big time into this and we see his continued success in swimming. Marlenb....be careful not to fully extend your legs (and possibly "lock out" your knees), also most people have the resisitance to high....keep it around 3-5 till you've built up a base.

The problem with your knees is the result of driving too hard with the legs, and not pivoting from the hips at the finish. When all the momentum of the drive finishes with the body in a 90-degree position to the legs (at the release of course), then the energy that was created finishes in your posterior. That's how rowing coaches came up with the term "shooting the slide" because your rear is shooting down the tracks, making you leap away from the foot-stretchers, forcing your knees to hyper-extend and wear-out your ligaments. Trust me, back in college I had the same injury from rowing. Try changing up how you row by doing a series of 10 minute rows without putting your feet in the stretchers. This will retrain your rowing stroke so that you have a proper finish by pivoting your body past the vertical position into a lean away position. Use your abs to finish every stroke and the energy of the drive will finish up at your shoulder blades without endangering your knees. Kelly

Rowing is a wonderful sport. I truly believe that if more people new the benefits of rowing, you woudln;t be able to get tiem on water or in an Erg. What is really odd is that top roweres spend as little as 246 hours a week rowing. They tend to be in great shape, low body fat and heartrate, and huge lungs. One huge problem with rowing is htat it is very expensive. I looked at an used shell. It was 2 yrs old and cost $3,450 - no rigs or shoes!!!!! Ergs start around $500 for a used one. There are several indoor rowing contests throughout the winter. They have more participanats and spectators than most masters meets! Surprisingly, many college teams are on the water now.

I just saw this great pic from taken on hte 13th in Philly. I don't know how to export it into this thread. I have tried and it won't go. It is a crew putting their boat into the water & there is a dead guy next to them.

Originally posted by marlenb In the past few weeks, I've been rowing after swimming, and I feel amazing. I feel more powerful in the water and can feel definite gains in upper body strength. However, I also have a bit more tension in the ligaments behind my knee, and I swim breaststroke (eek!) Does anybody else row? Does it effect your swimming? Any thoughts on how to either strengthen the knees or why I might be having tension? I wonder if you are pushing your knees out. Are you making sure to keep your wrists flat? If you turn your wrists, you frequently bring your hands too much between your knees. Push straight back. If at all possible watch yourself in a morrir from both the front & side.

Any thoughts on rowing for swimmers with shoulder problems? Bad idea, good idea?

I was supposed to type minutes. I really am a terrible typist!