Belly Getting in the Way of Rowing?!

[@jkmattpcolorado1970]

I often think about......what if I have a heart attack in my sleep bc of my weight.....I could literally drop dead bc I've been inactive due to injury.....I bought a rowing machine and I'm putting it together tomorrow......I have kids I want to lose weight and be healthy.....go to theme parks with my kids I want to breathe better..... RN I'm 375 lbs I'm 5"6 I'm massively obese......ik that please don't make fun of me for it.....I'm hoping in the next year I get healthier and feel better.....my wife and kids are so supportive of me.....I need to do this.... Thank you for the video my guy.....I can't wait.....

[@carlospoveda7963]

GAME! CHANGER! For awhile now I've been feeling guilty for not getting into a deep catch position due to my belly. I made sure to not splay my knees out, but still felt guilty. Your video just told me it's okay to go 3/4 slide! I am not cheating! Thanks for the great workouts and words of wisdom. Take care!

[@Digbysexpot]

I’ve been rowing for about a month and was splaying my knees out to get a deeper catch and doing ok. After watching this I tried your suggestions and did a half catch and it is a completely different workout. Thanks for this video and helping ALL rowers and not just the advanced rowers. I’m down 11 pounds!

[@andrewbailey2547]

11 pounds? How long has that taken also how long do you row for and is rowing your only exercise? Just got a rowing machine since xmas and I was climbing up those stones 2 stone off 20 and getting closer to 50 I thought I best sort this before I reach the 20 mark, I'm sure that if you get to a certain weight that's when it becomes really hard to start exercising. Well done with the 11 keep it going.

[@Digbysexpot]

@@andrewbailey2547 I've been at it about a month. I do 15-30 minutes three to four times a week with hiking or cycling on the off days. Also tracking every calorie eaten with MyFittnessPal.

[@amymo9144]

This is me.. I just got a gentle used rowing machine (not even 2000 strokes) and have been working myself up to longer sessions but the belly has been on my mind. Today was my first 15 minutes straight:)

[@elecaire9094]

I have been in desperate need of this video, this demonstration and this understanding since I first day I sat down to row. THANK YOU!!!!

[@radical1ypoetic]

I was going to say this too, that this should be in the beginners videos and/or at the beginning of the playlist! I've just been starting with my machine and have to go back to the basics video to see form every day. The second day I didn't do that and had significant pain in my my back from rounding my shoulders around my belly and knee cap pain from splaying my knees! This video was super helpful!

[@andrewbailey2547]

@@radical1ypoetic are you kidding you dnt look like you have a belly that gets in the way. What I found though is effects your breathing. Either breath faster or less either way it isnt good.

[@megan4475]

I just found this video, and it's so awesome that you made it, thank you so much. In the past for me, personal trainers have wanted me to do the rower and I've found it technically difficult and painful because of how my body has to move and strain or overextend to accomodate my tummy. That obviously causes pain and injury, and then I don't hit the numbers they want to see, so they've just labelled me as lazy and making excuses not to try etc. So I cried when I watched this because it means so much that you've acknowledged this as a genuine barrier people experience, and then simply provided great advice for overcoming it without compromising form. If all fitness and sports communities were like this, the world would be a better place. Thank you again ❤

[@alibee1978]

Thanks dude , I’ve arthritis and started rowing as a low impact training session and your videos are incredibly helpful for folk like me not getting posture right which can lead to unnecessary pain . 👍🏻👌🏼

[@willis1909]

As I am on my current weight loss journey with my dad bod, he is 1000% correct with focusing on mechanics. For awhile I would try and go deeper in the catch position and my legs would widen, which is a big issue and I was wasting energy and motion. Tip: If you are on a Concept 2, look at your force curve as a way to assess your mechanics through each step of the stroke. When I started to do 3/4 slide, I noticed more consistency across the curve and I was able to maintain stroke rates easily. During my warm ups, I'll look at my force curve to adjust any habits or issues and its been working great!

[@tscott7483]

Dude, thanks so much for this. My hips/knees splay out like that on the full slide, I appreciate the tips!

[@heavenlypickler]

The stubborn belly really gets into the way so I got into bad habits. Thanks for your clarification. Now, I can learn rowing correctly and melt the stubborn belly away.

[@TheFishBeast]

Great tip on how not to compromise form despite anatomic issues. Thanks man

[@cluek9780]

Thanks for this vid on a subject unmentioned as taboo

[@gabrielgonzalez-fe7tm]

Well that explained my hip and foot pain. Thank you!! This was really helpful

[@michikowright3796]

This has been so helpful. I was thinkingI it may have been my hips that were just too tight and not letting me lean all the way forward, but I think now I realize it’s just my belly getting in the way LOL

[@turkishcandy]

Hi Shane! A follow-along beginner workout video with just 1/2 slide and another with just 3/4 slide could be so great for people with bigger bellies to have videos to keep coming back to, until graduating to your full slide follow along workout videos (which are great btw). Were you planning on making something like this? Thank you for your help!

[@Mskitty123456]

I needed this I’ve been running into short leg issues and splaying my legs out and didn’t know if rowing half slide was better

[@loganmahoney2284]

Thanks for this. Most people wouldn’t care to make this video.

[@marieliza858]

These videos are amazing. This is the first channel I have seen and watched on rowing machines and how to use one and I really don't think I need to even look a different channel. I've only watched 3 of the videos so far but have already learned so much. These videos cover everything a beginner needs. Just love them. Thank you.

[@mlb6d9]

Dude, I must give recognition to how you have everything mounted on the wall. I too have this fetish, and it just makes great use of space. Seriously though - thanks for posting this!

[@tonyf8814]

This is a great video man only 3 weeks in . I'm doing the 20 min with the 1 minute split workout Feeling much better and more active Thanks for all you do.

[@bobkoure]

As a non big belly person, this video was worth a watch - for the 'string lifting the chest' tip. Looks like that'll help my posture. Thanks!

[@sherrieturner4991]

Thank you so much! This is a huge issue for me and I am so ready to now proceed on this journey with excellent form!

[@donnabusz8170]

Perfect timing! After months on the wait list, my Concept2 rower arrived yesterday. Your video specifically addresses the belly/weight loss predicament I've wondered about. I've been binge watching your intro videos. Thank you.

[@led_5226]

I needed this so much! I was doing a plethora of different things and nothing really felt right and I didn't always feel that I was getting a beneficial workout. This may be the game changer I need. Thanks for doing this video. We all come in different shapes and sizes. 🤘🏼

[@randya2308]

I seriously needed this. Its been a battle between being short and 225lbs (not to 215).

[@cdpoe]

You may laugh but... I wept when I saw this video. I am extremely overweight. I got an awesome deal on Concept 2 last year and was frustrated because of the belly issue. I've been in a deep depression about my weight and health. Yeah, I could have trolled KZbin earlier but I didn't. A buddy of mine who got a Concept 2 about the same time as me shared one of the Dark Horse Rowing vids with me. While watching that beginner vid, I saw the belly vid and suggestions on keeping form (11 to 1 catch) with simply shortening the slide. I feel like I can actually do this. Thank you. I'll keep ya posted. Thanks again. I don't feel quite as hopeless today. Take care.

[@davidstevens9567]

Also good advice if you have limited knee bend. TKR, etc.

[@tomaurapelon5219]

Thanks for this one. I just started this week, so this really helped.

[@jeffweidner8221]

Great video, thank you! Just started rowing and was definitely splaying the knees out to accommodate my belly while trying to get a deep catch. Feel lucky to have watched this early, so it will be easier to correct before developing a bad habit, or worse, injuring myself.

[@billpola]

Thanks so much for articulating something I've been trying to say correctly and succinctly to my athletes. Thanks as always for a great channel.

[@lukeo5454]

I got a double whammy... Short and fat, and noticed it's more comfortable and easier to breath when splaying legs out as I row, but had a feeling it wasn't proper form. Thank you for this video I'll definitely be trying your tips next session.

[@ShimiHalperin]

This is great advice. A lot of producers have videos on this topic, but this is the first one I have seen with sane advice.

[@denara5004]

17 weeks pregnant here. Thank you! Starting to get painful lol

[@flatline42]

Just got my rowing machine today. I always did enjoy it at the gym and while I don't have a concept 2 this is exactly what I need. Thank you!

[@e.saccel1782]

Man what a great video. Not just informative, encouraging! Can't wait to get back to rowing

[@ukelbarto]

Thank you, as an rower in my younger days I was now struggling in middle-age after getting my indoor rower. This now makes total sense and I'll be adjusting my slide vs. having bad posture which should help a ton!

[@audreybraggs7567]

Thank you so much for this❤ I just got my rower and rowing with splayed knees hurts. I can’t wait to try the half slide row tomorrow!😊

[@jessicamullins7327]

Thank you! I am going to use this tonight!

[@brandoncyoung]

thank you my power girth needed to hear this

[@sthompson2839]

Thank you, thank you, a thousand times!! 🙏🏽. I got an ergatta rower a couple years ago. Worked from home this past year, so now-trying to get back shape- I found nothing in the instruction videos about rowing with a belly in the way!

[@kevinreynolds7125]

This is just the video I needed to see. New rower is on the way and was definitely thinking about legs and belly!

[@BennyLate]

Appreciate the tip. This has been a challenge for me since I started (which is why I started) and I've been doing 1/2-3/4 slide and trying to keep the mechanics right and focusing on using the whole foot and using the midline to help the drive.

[@jasonsteffek9265]

Fantastic! Will apply this technique. Thank you so much.

[@deantreloar]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! This was encouraging. I was told rowing was a great low/non impact alternative workout and I was discouraged that I wouldn't be able to do it.

[@stacymekovich2424]

This one was very helpful! Getting my rower set up has been a journey. I have arthritis in my knees now due to knee injuries a decade ago. So I’ve had to elevate my rower before I could even get on it. But the belly does interfere. I chose not to splay my legs, because of the stress to the knees, so I am glad to see that my choice of lesser slide was the best option. But all your videos have been a huge help with form. I’m so glad that someone recommended dark horse as a good place to learn! Thank you!

[@Tax2Me]

Thank you for this segment. I was asking myself the same question. Now I know that the MECHANICS work regardless of the REACH. So NO roll knees outside. Got it. Thanks man. ;)

[@rosemaryclark610]

I'm glad you addressed this.. Thanks! What I have been doing is rowing while keeping my feet on the floor, and rocking back and forth from heel to toes, while I follow through the movements with my arms and torso, like my feet were on the rower. I felt like this still gave me a cardio workout and stretched my back, leg and core muscles, while protecting my stomach and knees. I haven't been very consistent about the rowing yet, but I'm going to try again following your 1/2 row method. Better than not at all. Thanks again!

[@72deltaman]

Sooo needed this, so thank you!!! I am new and still working my way around the rower and was definitely "splaying" my legs but this gives me amazing insight and now can't wait to hope on my rower in the AM give all this new info a run!👏🏾👍🏾✌🏾

[@timdowney6721]

👍👍👍 for this. I’m just starting rowing, so I’ve not sustained any injury from compensating for my belly, yet. Now I know how to proceed and get rid of the belly over time.

[@jadethespade88]

Just started my weight loss journey and rowing is in my workout. I’ve only been twice and I knew I was doing it wrong. Thank you so much for this. I’ll be back on Friday to let you know how I get on with this technique. I really hope it help as it’s my least favourite at the gym right now.

[@jamesb4693]

I'm so glad I watched this video...I started rowing a week ago....and because my legs were flaring out, they are soar....this video is an eye opener....to know that I can still get an effective routine in 1/2 slide will make all the difference....Thank You

[@chrisfraser1355]

Thank you so much for the advice. I have hip and knee issues, I know that the reason for much of pain is due in part to doing movements which tax the accessory muscles and joints because I’m overweight. I will begin to do the exercises in proper form but in degrees which don’t stress my body. I’m glad to know I can keep working out without reaching beyond my capabilities which cause me pain thus forcing me to give up working out and literally starting over.

[@jeremyflood8144]

Hi Shane. I follow your videos and love your content.I am 5'7" with belly and do exactly what you have shown. My legs splay out at the catch, when i try to go around knees i end up stressing a bad knee which does not like to go inwards. I will try the 3/4 stroke.

[@llamallamadpm7810]

I also have a bad knee! Going to try the 3/4 too!

[@timhoward1888]

I find my legs keep splaying as a result of having a bit of a belly but I also don't want to crush the crown jewels 😂

[@amandadotson4967]

Really good information! Thanks!!! 👏👏👏

[@maximiliantiberius7987]

Damn ... Thanks for this solved a big problem I had !

[@1936rivercityfitness]

Another excellent video! Shane, YDM (You da Man!)

[@tgyorgyi]

Thank you for this video, besides the practical advice it is a great overall message that workouts are for everybody. I really enjoyed the video where you trained somebody to get into rowing, if you ever find a brave soul with a belly :) that would be ready to be videoed as you train them, I believe that would be both very useful and very inspirational for those of us with a belly getting in the way.

[@miket.1933]

That was very helpful thank you so much. The part with the closed legs was exactly my problem/ the thing I did wrong because of my belly.

[@doylejodi7502]

LOL-me. It interferes with a full row rotation and BREATHING! Thank you for this. Now I don’t have to feel guilty for not doing the full-slide.

[@lgnfve]

great video !!!

[@Five0Music]

Good info. I’m in my first week, as is my wife. Form over fit is good advice. Thanks for your videos! That background noise was giving you fits this go around!

[@sotachandara8525]

This is the most helpful video that you have produced for this fatty right here. Thank you very much!

[@BecomeUseful]

Thank you! This was soooo helpful.

[@guanlyechua]

Thank you for this video!

[@renejul2534]

Yes yes yes.... 3 month of rowing to loose weight, and my knees were killing my, because splittet them out to the sides... Now I have a hard time getting startet rowing afein ...... This helps thanks

[@timg2451]

Thank you, great info as I begin my weight loss efforts on the rower. I got the ergatta and enjoy it so far, and want to make sure I stay with it and maximize results and not injure my self

[@williamweisz8649]

Thank you so much for this video. I couldn't do the catch correctly and was very discouraged. I will be doing 1/2's until I can get into a full range of motion!

[@pangojack]

Awesome video

[@gilbertbeltran1562]

Thank you for the info!

[@ellenrobertson2859]

Thank you! I just started your learn to row today and was getting frustrated. It might be good to link this for the folks enrolled in the program!!

[@fernandofonseca8197]

Thank you , you just solved a lot of my mechanic problems

[@harvey2539]

thank you so much for the coaching!!! 🙏🙏

[@stealthsuit5989]

Great video. Just the advice I needed. That's a hard sub.

[@AlexEsplin]

Really wish I had seen this video before I tried to start the Pete Plan rowing with my knees splayed out so I could get my shins vertical at the catch. Once I recover from my pulled back muscle I'm definitely gonna be working on this.

[@KneeKrusher]

Needed this video, thank you.

[@carolsmith7111]

Thanks & a suggestion: Shane I want to thank you for your great videos and instruction, both the free content and the paid courses. I have learned so much from you and my rowing is so much better as a result. I am now rowing longer, stronger, and with less pain. This video is very helpful and full of great advice, but I have a suggestion. In this video, every time you refer to a big belly, you pair it with pregnancy or weight loss. You are effectively assuming that anyone who is fat and exercises does it to lose weight, or is otherwise on a weight loss journey. This is not true, and it is an assumption that contributes to people like me feeling ashamed of our bodies. When you are heavy, you are constantly being told that you should be losing weight - the messaging is relentless. I am 50, I have a big belly, and neither it, nor I, are going away. Exercise makes me feel amazing, trying to lose weight makes me feel miserable. So I am doing what is healthy for my body and mind - rowing with all I’ve got and getting stronger every day. You can contribute to body positivity, and counter that constant negativity, by accepting that a body shape is a body shape. We all work with what we have. We can grow and improve as rowers and athletes without having to change the shape of our bodies. I’m not suggesting you don’t address the interplay between form and changing body shapes, that advice is valuable, and there are plenty of people out there who are trying to lose weight. I’m just suggesting that your language reflects assumptions that either you do not hold or, if you do hold, you should redress, because they do more harm than good.

[@Jnadile]

Thank you for this my rower just showed up 30mins ago and i needed this video!

[@kimneblett19]

Needed this! Thank you

[@alyfestyle86]

Wow, thank you for such an informative and awesome video. I will be coming back to this many times. Great tips and info.:-)

[@claudiacanales2662]

What a great explanation! Thank you!!!

[@wademiller6882]

Thanks. I was actually splaying my knees and putting my feet on the floor so I could get a deep catch.... knees were hurting.

[@bkemp9245]

Very helpful, thanks for the info!

[@andrewbrown8148]

Just what I needed~! I'm a new rower (2 months in) and I was just wondering if a 3/4 stroke would hinder my workout intensity. I don't have much of a belly, but enough that I get a little leg splay at the catch. There have been some 3/4 & 1/2 stroke drills by the Hydrow athletes/coaches (yep, I'm one of THOSE people, lol), but somehow that felt like just a developmental method to getting to a full catch and using it might be cheating. Thanks so much for discussing this topic~! Your videos are excellent~!! :-D

[@llamallamadpm7810]

This was very helpful thank you!

[@coreyclark6505]

I probably needed this advice like 2 years ago. Haha, better late than never. Now, does anyone else lose feelings in their hands? I feel like I may be getting a repetitive stress injury on one wrist.

[@estebanmorales6568]

I'm sure it isn't technically correct but I had great results by raising the rear of the machine up about 6 inches. Gravity will help you get to the catch position if you are overweight. It also increases your leg workout because you are pushing your weight more uphill.

[@alexbishop7711]

Great vid bro! Thanks for the tips!

[@josheldridge5817]

Atleast when I can get back on this machine. (My gym requires a mask and I refuse to do cardio masked) I finally can fix my bowing out on the knees.

[@Kay-pt8rd]

Thank you so much for this!

[@dumderthanu]

That "au contraire!" tho ...🤭

[@luannw7769]

Very helpful!

[@packratty]

good mechanics description at 4:00, adapted mechanics at 5:30

[@SaltyMedic]

Thanks!

[@karonhalama5503]

Next question! How do you accommodate for a big chest at the back of the stroke? I have both a belly and boobs, and I hit one or both at the end of my stroke.

[@BillFreshwater]

Not sure my first comment was posted. Can I use a strap to restrict my knees splaying out?

[@dawnsreviews7205]

Same problem with stationary bikes

[@DarkHorseRowing]

Agreed!

[@lauragraf2131]

Hi Shaun, thanks for this. My back has been really hurting am using heating pad in evening. I watched your lower back video but am wondering about the pain. Is that because my core is weak and I need to build strength? Your vids are really helpful, thanks!

[@andrewbailey2547]

Hi is your back sore or aching? How ever it could be because it's new and those muscles haven't been used that much or hard for a while, for example riding a bike when you haven't been on one for 10 years. He also has another video about adjusting the feet I tried this adjustment yesterday seemed better. Also he said about sitting in the correct place on the seat may only be an inch difference.

[@vanessa8282vr]

Thank you 🙏

[@paulasunshine7729]

Oh omg I needed this so bad . Thank you. I have a question. I hurt my back and have cramps in the upper part . What am I doing wrong??? I feel it in my pull on lower back. Ty