Loose foot straps

[giniajim]

My foot straps come loose during a session. I can either stop and tighten them or just live with it. Either way, it's very annoying. Does anyone know what the cause is (worn-out straps or buckles maybe)? Is it widely experienced? What do others do about it? For a practice session it's just an annoyance, but for a timed session or even a competition, it impacts the result.

[Dangerscouse]

The only solution I know of is to buy new ones.

[jamesg]

Years ago the suggestion was fold back the loose end into the buckle. It's not so easy as it sounds.

You may also be able adjust style slightly, involving three things: set feet low so that the strap goes over the toes; take a slow smooth recovery; use the legs, swing, shoulders pull sequence. Together this will ensure you don't need to pull hard on the straps.

The grounded erg makes us move our entire body mass back and forth, so inertial forces are a necessary evil, but we can limit them. Lots of problems disappear if we put it on slides.

[lindsayh]

My foot straps come loose during a session. I can either stop and tighten them or just live with it. Either way, it's very annoying. Does anyone know what the cause is (worn-out straps or buckles maybe)? Is it widely experienced? What do others do about it? For a practice session it's just an annoyance, but for a timed session or even a competition, it impacts the result.

new ones are cheap and easy to fit and will solve the problem - they are simply wearing out.
The fold back through the buckle is a bit fiddly but works well too - use it especially with the longer steady sessions

[Dino]

A gym a went to a while ago had replaced the standard straps with Velcro (Hook & Loop) straps.
Might be an answer - 1" wide straps of the same length are on Amazon, although new straps from Concept2 are only £3 each.
I haven't found mine getting loose even on very long rows, although I don't have the power to pull very hard.
There shouldn't be much upwards pull though on the recovery unless maybe doing super power sprints?
I try to do a strapless row at least once a week to check my technique.
Its a fun exercise also to see how low you can go strapless!

[winniewinser]

About the ONLY thing I prefer from using the Technogym Skillrow was the velcro foot straps.....made so much sense.

Oh, and that the resistance dial was in arms reach.

You may need to go all Heath Robinson and make something that works better.

[Dangerscouse]

As Dino says, only on really hard sprints, and higher rated sessions, are straps necessary. I have got it down to 1:45 and r27 on a strapless row.

Admittedly it takes a bit of getting used to and it's a great core workout too but don't get too used to using the straps as brakes: it's nothing to worry about but it isn't good technique as you leak a bit of power as a result

[Carl Watts]

You double tuck the standard concept 2 footstraps and they never move. The loose strap goes back over and through the buckle again. Also much tidier. Yes makes it harder to adjust but its set amd forget if your the only one using the rower.

Leave your shoes on the rower as well. Dont use shoes with laces they cut the circulation off in your feet if the laces are done up to tight.

Problem solved.

[Ombrax]

What do others do about it?

I haven't used the foot straps in years. No need for them.