mid back fatique

[btlifter]

I probably have the least expertise on technique of anybody responding. So, take this with a grain of salt. But, the cue I find really helpful for myself is to imagine reaching my belly button forward. This helps me pivot from the hips, as opposed to the back.

I also find that this cue takes the added strain of "trying" to stay upright off, which relaxes my back (in a good way) too.

That's a good point Cam. Artificially straightening your back constantly can just displace the strain to another area: you still need to be relaxed, but not slouched. Loose enough, but also slightly tensed enough to take the strain.

I assume you meant to add that your belly is still braced when you push it forward? It might be misinterpreted as meaning pushing the whole belly out, rather than just the belly button

Spot on, Stu. Christmas break did enough to distend my belly; I don't need to do anything to assist that process . The belly-button cue is simply reminding my torso where I want it to pivot - around my pelvis rather than around my spine. I find the cue makes it easier to brace my core, too.

[m06w41]

That's a good point Cam. Artificially straightening your back constantly can just displace the strain to another area: you still need to be relaxed, but not slouched. Loose enough, but also slightly tensed enough to take the strain.

This is massively helpful and to be brutally honest, I'm not sure I ever worried about having better back position ever in my life until these most recent few weeks on the rower. People talk about core strength and conceptually I get it but never thought about it until trying to fix this issue. Finding that balance between some core tension and relaxing is taking practice.

[Dangerscouse]

That's a good point Cam. Artificially straightening your back constantly can just displace the strain to another area: you still need to be relaxed, but not slouched. Loose enough, but also slightly tensed enough to take the strain.

This is massively helpful and to be brutally honest, I'm not sure I ever worried about having better back position ever in my life until these most recent few weeks on the rower. People talk about core strength and conceptually I get it but never thought about it until trying to fix this issue. Finding that balance between some core tension and relaxing is taking practice.

It's very common to not think about it mate, and doing some regular core exercises is very helpful. Don't do sit ups though! Planks, dead bugs, 'wipers', mountain climbers etc are all great options.

I've been doing Pilates for years, so it's ingrained in my head, but there's a notable difference between sucking in your belly, and engaging your core: the former is what is natural when you're not used to it doing it, and the latter is similar to holding in a wee when you are bursting.

When you get tired you will start to struggle, and your core engagement will probably suffer. It's useful to think about your core for two reasons in these circumstances. Primarily, it's injury prevention, but it's also training your brain to stop thinking about the discomfort and tiredness. Splitting your attention will be a very helpful tool when you're trying to PB, otherwise your focus is all on negative thoughts and feelings, and that's a slippery slope.