Concept2 Forum

Hello there!

First time poster so bear with me.

So, during the course of a week my routine is as follows. I usually do 5x1 hr pieces (20spm strict) followed by 15 min bike with 2 AT (3x3k,27spm or 4 x 1k 30 spm), and 2 weight training sessions. What I'm finding with the long steady state UT1 sessions is that my fingers are aching by around the 40 min mark and are really stiff when I get off. I like to think that I have a fairly loose grip on the handle but you never know. I don't have any pain in my forearms/wrist. Damper is usually around 135 and I usually hall 2:02/500m. This is the only workout that hurts the ole digits. I have decent technique (or like to think so) from a lot of OTW work and watching from watching vids. Be nice, I only weigh 148lbs, 5'8.

Anyone else find this? I don't want arthritis when I get older lol.
Thx.

It seems you're working your hands (and all the rest of you) very hard if you pull 200W for an hour at 20. Try increasing the rating to say 22 or higher, dropping the power 5%. The difference at 22 will be about 15% less handle force, which could put you below any hypothetical load threshold that produces excess stress. Keep your length of course, make sure the handle force is even through the stroke and drop the drag as necessary.

row dude wrote:...with the long steady state UT1 sessions is that my fingers are aching by around the 40 min mark and are really stiff when I get off....

Probably just a reaction to being in one fixed location for a long time. Some things to try:
- change up your hand position during the row every once in a while, wiggle your fingers on the recovery
- reduce the DF, increase the rating - both will reduce the force on your hands
- think about doing some hand strengthening exercises 3-4 times a week.

HTH
-chad

Thanks for the sound advice.

I really appreciate the reply's. I'll try and raise the rate a beat and see if this helps and get back to you on the results. I might even be holding the handle a little too loose. I'll the higher rate first, then a tighter grip second.

-Dave

Oh, and thank you for the complement Jamesg.
Appreciated.