Height RightOn the erg, many athletes carry their hands too low during the recovery. The reasons vary. Fatigue may be the issue -- but typically, rowers who do this, do it from their first stroke on the erg. Low handle height leads to poor rowing form. When you dip your hands at the catch, you develop the bad habit of opening with your back, missing water and putting check into the boat. The disciplined rower sets his or her handle height early (as the hands come away) and attains full body angle before starting up the slide. The erg, however, does not penalize the undisciplined rower who carries his or her hands too low on the recovery. Our Height Right is a simple and inexpensive fixture that guides your hands to their rightful position. No drilling nor other modification is required -- it quickly affixes to the erg with existing nuts and bolts. The pin and plastic bushing can be quickly and easily set at one of three heights, depending upon the stature of the rower. You will hear a thoroughly annoying clattering sound, when you carry your hands too low and will be immediately prompted to correct your form. ‘Row-Right’ and you won’t know the Height Right is even there. Available for $29. |
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 In this sequence of photos, notice how this athlete carries her hands low going into the catch and too high on the drive. She also over-compresses and comes close to striking her Achilles tendon with the seat. |
| For the undisciplined rower, carrying the hands low might give the sense of 'winding up' to throw oneself into the catch. Oftentimes, this 'winding up' draws down the shoulders leading to poor catch posture. This, in turn, induces over-compression and overreaching, followed by flying open too early with the shoulders and dumping at the finish. This behavior shows up on the water as "skying" and "rowing it in". For good measure you can throw in rushing and checking down the boat. If your rowers take the majority of their strokes on the erg like this, how can you possibly expect them to go against that ingrained habit and get it right with their limited number of strokes on the water? |  |
| The original Concept 2 Model A (Bicycle Wheel Erg) came equipped with a small plastic chain guide. Designed by rowers, this aperture was in the appropriate position for correct handle height. Mass market (non-rower) considerations led Concept 2 to enlarge the opening and now, you are not compelled to carry your hands high. Our 'Height Right' is a simple and inexpensive ($29) fixture that returns the chain guide to its rightful position. No drilling or other modification is required - it quickly affixes with existing nuts and bolts. The pin and plastic bushing can be quickly and easily set at one of three heights, depending on the stature of the rower. The athlete will receive visual and auditory prompts, if they carry their hands too low. We've endeavored to make the auditory prompts annoying. 'Row Right' and you'll never know it's there. |  |