Usula Grobler is both new to rowing and is coached by Carlos Dinares, an avid RP user. She recenty broke the C2 indoor rowing record for 2k by a massic 2 seconds.
What we found interesting was what they left out of the text, such as (our words in italics)
World Rowing: Do you use the ergo much in training? Ursula Grobler: I have only rowed six times on the Concept2 erg since September. [because I only train on the Rowperfect and in the boat].
World Rowing: What did you feel like at the endof the race?
Ursula Grobler: I was happy it was over. This erg hurts my ribs and messes up my timing at the catch and my coordination on the water.[because a C2 is not a rowing simulator it disrupts my technique]
World Rowing: I understand that you are trying for the US team. Is that avenue now open to you? Ursula Grobler: I have my citizenship papers in process. I'm excited to have the support of the USRowing coaches. My coach will build our Olympic crew from Seattle, from his basement with his own system. [Which involves detailed technique coaching and training on linked Rowperfects and force curve analysis to align the two athletes' power]
Found this great image on an academic paper about whether training on a Rowperfect was a good way of selecting scullers.
The researchers end by saying
CONCLUSIONS: Static ergometers have previously been used almost exclusively for on-shore training and crew selection despite research indicating that they may not represent on-water rowing. The advent of dynamic ergometers such as the Rowperfect are reported to more closely replicate the inertial properties of on-water rowing and would therefore be more specific as a training and selection tool. The current study demonstrated a very high association between the force profiles from the Rowperfect ergometer and on-water indicating that this ergometer replicated the patterns of on-water sculling. In addition, the body positions at the catch and finish for both styles of rowing closely resemble each other. A more efficient transfer of learning may therefore apply across the two forms of rowing as they demonstrate similar kinetic andkinematic elements during the performance of the skill. These findings support the use of dynamic ergometers such as the Rowperfect as a more specific training regime and crew selection tool.
The training and competition regimen of athletes at the elite level is highly intensive and demands rapid feedback regarding their performance. The aim of this study was to determine the kinematic parameters which correlate with power output per stroke on a RowPerfect boat simulator. Optimal movement patterns for each kinematic parameter were determined for ten elite lightweight rowers. A measure of time/area away from this optimal movement pattern was used to show consistency of movement. A stepwise regression indicated that shoulder and hip acceleration were correlated with power output per stroke (R=0.7, p<0.01). These results illustrate the viability of a training regimen utilising accelerometry based real-time biofeedback.
And the Research concludes:
The ability to train on a boat simulator that can assess movement patterns and stroke consistency in realtime, indicating to the rower whether they are outwith specific limits is an exciting prospect. Future research will concentrate on using biofeedback to improve technique and/or movement pattern consistency within elite and novice rowers.
time is dragging for you eager folks hoping to get one of the new Rowperfect Indoor Sculler machines.
The manufacturer has put up a new video.
However, before you ask, we do not yet have firm delivery dates for the UK market nor pricing… but anyone wanting to join our list of people to get information as soon as it is available, please email us.
On a static erg there is slack at the catch; after sliding forward the handle moves a significant distance before you feel resistance. This encourages opening the back too soon. To avoid this, try using a Concept II with slides, or even better a RowPerfect erg. On a static erg I try to solve this by reaching out as much as possible with hands an shoulders and not kicking too hard at the catch.
Furthermore I believe maintaining good back posture during the first phase of the stroke is not only technically hard, but very hard work as well. To be able to do it, and keep doing it right for a longer piece of rowing, you need strength and endurance in your corset musculature. Therefore I train my high/low/side abdominal muscles and back muscles after each erg workout. Also I throw in some stability exercises like pushups and sidehangs (hard to describe).
Caroline Tu replies with a nice practical exercise
one thing you could think about is that perhaps you are lifting your shoulders at the catch. This in turn could be caused by dropping your hands as you come forward. You probably don't do it in the boat, as you would see your blades "skying".
An exercise you could try is to work up the slide from frontstops - quarter slide, half slide, three quarter slide, full slide, using legs only and concentrating on keeping the hands level. Aim at a suitable point on the ergo - e.g. the top of the slot that the chain comes through. If you can do it with a mirror, so much the better.
We got an enquiry about the range of options available for Rowperfect users who want to get data from their training sessions. This come came from a large university club in the Thames Valley in the UK.
We currently have three rowperfects, we are interested in purchasing the software for them. One of the row perfects was connected to a computer (in DOS-mode) but the computer is ancient and has finally broken. Could you advise me on the options and cost. Also, is it possbile to have two row perfects on the same graph? So two athletes can compare power curves as they are rowing.
Here's our answer
All the Rowperfect items are in our shop.
Rowperfect now uses windows software, Rowperfect for Windows (RPW). This connects using the same black interface box that you have on your DOS machine but requires a small hardware upgrade in order to work.
Therefore your options are:
1 - Buy an upgrade for the Dos interface £95 incl VAT. Note you have to mail the black box back to us and it takes around a fortnight to process an upgrade.
2 - buy a USB to serial port adapter for a modern computer. £33 This connects into the same interface cable you already have for the RP. Note not all adapters work with RPW so we recommend you buy this one from us which we know works.
3 - if you need a new interface cable £15 (only if the old one is missing or broken)
4 - buy new RPW software and interface boxes for the other two RPs £250 each. Note this comes with interface cables but NOT USB adapter so you may need more of them.
5 - if your coach is interested in analysing and overlaying graphs of athletes, he might like to buy the SEAN Software Analysis programme which enables multiple uploads of sessions by different athletes. SEAN is sold by a different company, Row Ware in the Netherlands. Specifications for SEAN and free trial download . Pricing Euros 198.00
You might also want to buy some link bars so if you race in crews (as I think you do for the eights head) these join two RPs so each pair down the crew can train together and learn to move synchronously £40
To answer your last question, no you cannot have two power curves on the same graph WHILE you are training. You can however upload a sample curve and have both athletes train to match that sample. We have sample curves available from top internationals for you including Mahe Drysdale and Greg Searle . BUT in SEAN your coach can upload multiple athletes training session files and compare them stroke by stroke so afterwards you can see exactly what each man was doing in the training session. There are 33 different data points recorded and each one can by analysed for each stroke taken.
Rowperfect UK is planning a visit to Ireland (Dublin) in order to service Rowperfect rowing machines. We will be in Ireland from Mon-Weds 1st to 3rd February in order to service RPs and C2 ergos and plan to base ourselves at TCD Boat Club , Islandbridge, Dublin.
The price for servicing will be around Euros 150 per machine plus the cost of parts. This price will be confirmed once travel costs have been factored in.If you have a club Rowperfect and want it serviced we are creating a list of clubs.
Here’s what you need to do
Email us with your club name, contact details including phone, number of Rowperfects for service.
We will contact you to confirm.
You will have to organise to transport the RPs to TCD in advance of our arrival and collect them afterwards.
We have heard about a second hand Rowperfect for sale by a club in Scotland.
I spoke yesterday to the club who is selling it. They are going to send down some details about the condition it's in and the repairs that are needed to get it working well and the price they are seeking.
Several customers have approached us asking if we know of any second hand Rowperfects for sale.
If you are considering selling yours - prices range from £400 - £650 depending on age, condition and whether it has an interface and the Rowperfect for Windows (RPW) or Dos software.
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