Recovery after exercise?

[Bob Evans]

To clarify, after having talked with my son, his "~15K" daily winter erg session at Purdue included warm up meters followed by intervals of various intensities. He never wore a heart monitor -- Purdue is a CLUB team, not an elite Varsity team! (The constant emphasis was always on good form and ... not being the slowest guy on the floor that day!) But still the point, the team rowed 5 and sometimes 6 days a week. At 68 I can too but not very aggressively -- if I push too hard, the bursitis in my left hip lets me know! Too, very good points that diet, sleep, other activities (stretching) and even overall health would play important roles. Without meaning to sound too corny, listen to your body - it will let you know!

[Parky]

At 68 you're no spring chicken and at 76 I'm an old broiler.

I've recently returned to rowing and after a few sessions my calf was also giving me hell.

I checked out my technique and found I was putting too much strain on my calf and hamstring for one simple reason.

My ankle mobility and flexibility isn't what it used to be and I was pushing my shins over the vertical. That was putting too much strain on the calf and hamstring. I'm now rowing every day. Check out your action.

(No athlete, just an old giffers thoughts.)

[Bob Evans]

Parky -- I agree that proper form and technique is the foundation for everything. In fact, I rarely watch video when rowing because when I do, I tend to lose focus on my form and usually pay for it the next day. So I think my form is decent enough. Most likely what's getting me is that 2 prolapsed disks (L4 & L5) and especially a lifetime with scoliosis (a 15 degree curvature in my case) are finally catching up to me. Honestly, I'm mostly pleased that I do as well as I do. Nonetheless I will review C2's technique videos tomorrow. A mental tune up never hurts. Best regards.