Newb Q - No resistance in first part of stroke

[kini62]

Jack,
Thanks, I would say that it was almost no exertion. I probably could have gone on for another 20 except that I had already done 45 minutes of hard cardio. As I mentioned in my post, I felt no resistance until I was all the way back and started to pull. I have watched quite a few of the proper technique videos and I dont feel like I am that far off. I am going to workout this after noon and will concentrate on more explosive leg drive to get at least some resistance. I will also check the drag factor, it is possible that the gym doesnt clean its machines and I am getting no air. I would really appreciate a video review of my stroke if possible. I can probably link to a Vimeo clip this weekend, unless there is a better way/place that this forum uses (I'm totally new).
thanks for your response.
Jim

Can almost guarantee that you are sliding your butt(seat) back until your legs are extended then pulling with just your arms. You are likely getting ZERO leg drive.

[ex99125b]

Ok, so its me.
First i checked the drag:
185@10, 122@5, 75@1
A little low, but not enough to take the blame.

Next, i tried exploding on the drive, while keeping my spm <30...i lasted abot 5 minutes with a 2:04 pace at 27 spm
I was gassed. The good news is, i found the resistance i was looking for. Granted, i had already done 45 mins of cardio, but wow.
Now i know.

[dblinden]

I thought you might feel it once you got it. Good going.

Jack - You crossed that bridge 500,000 meters ago. Rowbots are rowing, but I am really proud of my wife who started this business two months ago. Almost 200k for the month. She's 5'2" and about 112 lbs. I saw her pull a 2:07 for awhile this week. Couldn't believe it. Her DF was about 98 or less.

Dennis L

[jackarabit]

So, Jim, you're more than halfway to an 8:16 2K. Not a bad beginning. Post that video and we'll all be able to see if you're (still) shooting the slide. Jack

[ex99125b]

thanks for your encouragement, i can see there is a great deal of finesse involved. Now i know why all you old hands hammer on about putting in the seat time.

I knew at some point there'd be jargon to learn...what is shooting the slide? (Edit...nevermind, searched forum, found answer)

[hjs]

Ok, so its me.
First i checked the drag:
185@10, 122@5, 75@1
A little low, but not enough to take the blame.

Next, i tried exploding on the drive, while keeping my spm <30...i lasted abot 5 minutes with a 2:04 pace at 27 spm
I was gassed. The good news is, i found the resistance i was looking for. Granted, i had already done 45 mins of cardio, but wow.
Now i know.

Mistery solved

But to your defence, lots of people in gyms row this way. Just going up and down without putting any energy in the movement. In itself that even makes sense, we try to move as efficient as possible, that was certainly what you did.

[Bob S.]

thanks for your encouragement, i can see there is a great deal of finesse involved. Now i know why all you old hands hammer on about putting in the seat time.

I knew at some point there'd be jargon to learn...what is shooting the slide? (Edit...nevermind, searched forum, found answer)

Across the Pond, it is referred to as bum-shooting.

Bob S.

[jackarabit]

From reading a bit, I discovered that one of the four recognized OTW stroke techniques tends to encourage butt first to the rear. It's the one in which the fwd lean on recovery comes in late resulting in trunk continuing to travel forward after the leg push begins and the feeling of "no resistance early" described by the OP. I believe the antidote is making the fwd trunk lean a discrete movement after hands away and stopping it before the catch. Bob will know. Jack