The WORST Mistakes Short People Make When Rowing 

Thanks for this video. I'm 5'3" so the tips were a good reminder to keep focused on technique each and every workout. Would love to see a second video where you have a shorter person on the erg while you give the tips. Would love to have that visual. Thanks for your great videos, they've been a huge help!

Well, at least you didn't start with " hi, I'm Austin and I'm 6'8" " 😂

You are my hero! After huge surgery 3 years ago, I had to quit teaching aerobics, dance and got weak and out of shape. Saw rower at gym, found your videos and I’m slowly getting strong and fit again. 5’2, 120 lbs and 59 years old! Still struggling with CONSISTENT pressure, but I’m getting there!!! God bless you; I LOVE your videos!!

As short rower , I appreciate this video very much. Over time In learning how to row, I gradually came to understand many of the things that you talked about, but for people who are short and new to the sport and adolescents who are still growing your tips are very helpful and will help them to progress faster. You are right about become a technician. Over time, in working on my stroke, I have become a technically proficient rower and have been complimented on my technique by other rowers, who have happened to train along side me. There are a couple of tips that I would like to suggest that you did not mention in your video that I believe might help others too, especially short rowers, which I have helpful. 1. Use the monitor’s Force Curve Display to see in real time how well and where you apply the force during the stroke. I try to do so, so that it looks like an inverted champagne/sorbet coupe, 🍧. Though, with a slightly flatter and wider bottom. Also, on the Ergdata app, one of display window options is Stroke Length, so this together with the Force Curve visual, will help you to determine what is the most effective stroke length for you. In my case, I am 1.57m (5”3’) in height and my optimal stroke length range is 1.12 to 1.15m. Of course, this will very for people of the same height depending on the length of there legs, or, legs to torso ratio. 2. Do low cadence/SPM pieces. These pieces help with both learning the mechanics of the stroke and the development of your muscle memory and feel for a smooth and consistent application of power with from the catch, the drive and the finish phase of the stroke. These things have been game changers for me in helping me become a better rower.

Thank you! Short person here attempting to become a stronger rower (5’5”). Your content- always on point!🙏🏻

Wow this is what I needed for my wife. Her technique was wrong and she is 5”2 you hit it on the spot. I couldn’t find anything on this till now. Thanks!

This was much needed. At 5'6 i am stocky and need to maximize my workouts the best i can. Embracing the suck is easy for me, been doing it 12 years in the Army lol.

I'm 5'-0" and the shortness factor never crossed my mind as an issue, but now I'm left 🤔.

Excellent, detailed demo of, “The Stroke!” Thanks and keep up the great work. I look forward to utilizing this on my stroke.

Second day on the machine. This will help!

Shane, thank you for this video; just addressing the question of 'rowing while short' was an encouragement. An additional interesting aspect to consider is proportion of legs to trunk; I'm taller than many when seated but just 5'2 and a bit when I stand. My inseam is 26.5. I'll keep this video on repeat for the sake of perfecting my technique. I've been rowing since October 2020 and love it. Your videos have been very helpful; I appreciate the mix of how and why. Big thanks!

i bought a rower and then found your channel. sir you have a new long term viewer now. thank you for posting these videos.

Thank you for this video! I'm short and have been trying to figure out how I can get the most out of myself rowing, this helps a ton!!

SUPER helpful. Thank you. 🙏

Thank you for this great video, that helps me a lot focusing on where i should put maximum power.

Thanks Shane, great video.

Thank you! I'm a 5'2" woman, 61 yrs old, and just started rowing 2 months ago. The only serious exercise I've ever been able to keep up was skiing, but that was a long time ago. So it's past time to get fit again. Obviously, I'm never going to compete, so I don't even think of any of these things as disadvantages. Using your videos I've been focusing on technique, and have been pleased to see that splits improved from around 300 to 250 and weight is down 10 lbs. I'm kind of amazed at how fast my skills and overall strength are improving, tbh.

Thanks for this, I've had knee issues in the past using a rower but honestly I never invested in learning proper technique. Having purchased a rower these tips have been invaluable and no knee pain or other issues.

I was JUST thinking about this yesterday :)

Thank you! My brain works in specifics. This is the first video I found that was more step by step about the pull and recovery. Easier to see on tall people. Not so on short people. I'll watch a few times more because you aren't as short as I am but the video is the most helpful so far. I'm 5 feet tall :) and just started rowing.

Thanks for the video. Have watched you heaps of times and learnt lots. At 85 love my gym, and rowing more since I found you. Being a short, 5ft1 inch hasn’t stopped me, but thought I had seen a video where it said short people should set the damper at a number but now can’t find or remember who, or what RU-vid it was. So thought I’d just relax with you again and see if it was one of your wonderful RU-vid’s. Hope you can help me please as I want to continue to row correctly.. thanks..

This is great advice! I am a rookie to rowing. But I have a strong athletic background and I am applying my Kinesiology degree to aide in my improving my time by becoming super efficient! Like you said it’s the capacity threshold that I need to capitalize on. Love your tutorials!!

Just wanna say how much I appreciate your videos. I got my first exposure to rowing through CrossFit but recently got my own rower and wanted to learn how to row properly. I’m only 5 feet tall so probably won’t be breaking any records lol but I have come to love rowing so much! And your videos have helped me immensely! Thank you!

This is the video I needed… 5’1 vertically challenged here 😂

Awesome tips for us shorter folks!!

I'm 4'11 and this was so helpful! Thank you, thank you. Also, 'Embrace the Suck' is the motto I live by now.

This was very helpful! See my errors 🤦🏻‍♀️

thanx

Thanks for the video. Being 5’3 this helps a lot...

I love everyone’s comments on their height I’m thinking you are all tall 😂 I’m 4.11 🙈

Helpful but I had to back up a few times to get technique at end. Was hoping you’d do a few more strokes to reiterate & give memory tips like “when legs almost straight, pull strong to 11”. Also any tips re: footwear? Is it ok to row in socks? My running shoe store advised against rowing those shoes.

Do you have a short person video for the Skiier?

I’m only 5’ 7. Thanks for the tips !

Thanks for the tips! My rower should be here in a few days and I'm psyched! I used one at my gym intermittently but I'm a total rube so great to get some insights. Any tips for us, uh, well endowed ladies? That's my main issue, I lose a lot of inches if I aim for middle chest. Is it best to go higher and get the additional pull?

Thanks for this, im small and i struggle to stay under 29 spm (strength training as i read) seems at my height im ok in 30-32 spm Great insight on the movement!

I am 5.8 and this video was definitely very, very helpful!

What would be good is if you could show this in the force curve. Most people can then get an idea of how they are applying force in the stroke.

Short or not (I'm 5'9"), everybody should watch this. It's the best technique video in your whole series! Thank you very much!

5'4 I needed to see this

I am new to this and have just started with a Concept 2 The issue I have, which I don't hear talked about, is the lack of resistance on the chain at the beginning of the drive. I can push with my legs, but there is no resistance. I'm not sure how to address it, but I am sure there are a lot of wrong ways to remedy this, e.g. pausing for a beat or two at the end of the catch. Any suggestions would be welcome.

4’11” and prego! This is great

Good video but the editing was a little bit much this time. It got distracting. Thanks for your awesome work on all your videos I really enjoy them! Have a nice winter vacation.

Finally! Thank you! Im 5'4

This is the video I needed but not the video I wanted 😅!

Also funny. I like the editing. 🤣🥳

Do you have any videos on exercises to focus on extending all the way with the legs before opening the trunk? And then opening the trunk before pulling with the arms? Should I just practice these moves in isolation (i.e.- not full stroke)? Thanks.

Thank you from a 5'-1"!

I'm 5'3 whoooh!

New to this, and at 5.5, my SPM is between 32-34...that’s for 5k workouts, damper 5. Is there any guide for where your SPM should be with regard to height and damper setting? Also, how do I find the right damper setting? Is comparing 500m results at different settings a good start?

Gosh, Shane, how did you know???

Ok as a short rower my biggest mistake is getting on the Dam rower

DANNY DEVITO!!!!!!

Need a guide for rowing with a belly. Thank you! 🙏🏻

How about a video on the worst mistakes tall people make when rowing?

This video is not about short people, its about how to row better. Basically hone your technique.

Is this good for the water rower also?

Thankyou my name is robyn and i am only 13 years and i am a biginer

Vertically challenged...

Echoing other comments - It would be nice having someone who is on the lesser side of average height.

I'm 4' 18" is that too short ? Embrace the suck factor!

No need to sugar coat the facts with PC terms bro. ‘height challenged’?? 😆 Shrimp is perfectly fine. I’ve embraced the truth. Row on 💪😊👍

My GF says all length is good.

There is no way, that 170 cm man will overrow the 195 cm one if they are both healthy and trained. Sorry. Short people have no chances in contests for getting top places. But they still can always improve. Not everyone must row sub-6 2k. Not everyone must row even a sub-7 2k. But if you row with your heart and passion, systematically and decently, you can always overrow yourself. And this is what amateur sport is about. It is about constant improving. About getting better and better. Not necessarily from others, but primarily from self. The ultimate goal is not olimpic medal, the ultimate goal is always health and self-development. And rowing is a beautiful sport for it. The same is for gold medalists - the medal was only the incentive for work on themselves, to overcome the obstacles and to improve in every aspect, not only in physical one. One of us can do it. Only a few of us will win the olimpic medal, but everybody gets all the rest.

No offense, but those short video clips were annoying. They detracted from the lesson.