Feet Falling Asleep After 20 Minutes

[RowingCrazyCatMan]

I'm looking for some input/help. Ever since I have been using my concept 2 model B, I can't row more than 20 minutes without my feet starting to fall asleep. I have tried different stretches, sitting differently, technique, different seat (I use the original model B seat). I've tried different shoes and barefoot as well and keeping the straps loose. The only thing I haven't tried is a cushion of some sort. I do 25 minute pieces but I want to bump up to 30 minute pieces. Has anybody had this issue or does anybody have any ideas? I have been using the rower for about 3 years.

[jvander76]

Catman, I had the same issue, but on rows of 40 minutes plus. I got a fairly thick seat pad from Hornet Watersports - get the thick one with memory foam. I think its about 1.8 inches thick. That took care of it for me.

[Tsnor]

"Transient paresthesia is the sensation that causes temporary numbness and tingling in your feet. This happens as the result of abnormal nerve function, which is usually the effect of sitting on your foot or holding your foot in a certain position for an extended period." https://www.healthline.com/health/how-t ... -seek-help

Your feet will swell as you warm up. Make sure the foot stretcher strap is not pulled too tight / try rowing without using the strap. Think you've already tried this --> loosening your shoe laces, especially near the toe end of the shoe. Unlike running, no downside to loose shoes. Also moving your feet around changing the angle of your feet to the rail -- the foot stretchers allow some lateral movement.

On longer pieces its a good idea to wiggle your fingers on the handle sometimes during recovery (sometimes described as pretending to play piano). This helps with arm/hand problems. I suppose you can also do this with your toes.

The USRowing recommended push from the foot starts on the balls of your feet at the beginning of the stroke and then transitions to heel down drive evenly on the foot. They say this activates more leg muscles. This is contrary to always keeping heel down. See Eric Murray's feet here, heels come up then down each stroke: https://youtu.be/KDU4_v1DLms?t=1483 If you are doing something different with your feet try this.

[jvander76]

Tsnor's reply looks more legit Catman. I can only relate my experience. When my foot ( left only) was getting numb, my left butt cheek was also hurting. I figured the two had to be related. Once I got the seat pad, my butt stopped getting sore and my left foot never got numb again. Good luck with whatever you try.

[Tsnor]

Once I got the seat pad, my butt stopped getting sore and my left foot never got numb again. Good luck with whatever you try.

I got sciatica once. Nerve is in your back, pain shows up running down your leg. Seems very possible that your seat & how you are sitting could lead to numb feet.

Do look at the reference & google a few others and see if you should visit a doctor (which I'm not) to rule out things like the onset of diabetes.

[RowingCrazyCatMan]

I went ahead and ordered the Hornet Water Sports V1. I’m going to give that seat pad a shot.

[RayOfSunshine]

I went ahead and ordered the Hornet Water Sports V1. I’m going to give that seat pad a shot.

How did this work out for you?

[RowingCrazyCatMan]

I went ahead and ordered the Hornet Water Sports V1. I’m going to give that seat pad a shot.

How did this work out for you?

It definitely helped a little. But I have found that I need to shimmy my butt after a while and that has helped more than anything. I’m doing 10k’s and 30 minute rows regularly now with zero issue.

[RayOfSunshine]

I went ahead and ordered the Hornet Water Sports V1. I’m going to give that seat pad a shot.

How did this work out for you?

It definitely helped a little. But I have found that I need to shimmy my butt after a while and that has helped more than anything. I’m doing 10k’s and 30 minute rows regularly now with zero issue.

Good to know. I've been using a pad for years. However, my right foot started going numb after 20 minutes last fall. I tried just about everything.
Finally, I figured out my issue, morton's neuroma. I hadn't had a flare up in so long that I forgot about it. Thankfully, I have a skierg as well and it doesn't cause the foot to go numb.

[RayOfSunshine]

I went ahead and ordered the Hornet Water Sports V1. I’m going to give that seat pad a shot.

How did this work out for you?

It definitely helped a little. But I have found that I need to shimmy my butt after a while and that has helped more than anything. I’m doing 10k’s and 30 minute rows regularly now with zero issue.

Thank you!

I started doing longer rows again and, AGAIN, started having a numb foot around 7k. Last week, I pushed through to the planned 20k. This week was 21k and it went numb again right about 7k. By 9k it was totally numb. I almost quit, but I remembered reading about 1) "shimmy" on here, and 2) moving to the front of the seat (to relieve any nerve or pinched blood flow) on another thread.

So, I started shimmying forward. By 11k I could feel my foot and had no problems the rest of the way.

Pretty excited to have figured out how to relieve the numbness. No way I was going to finish 22k today.