Rowing without foot straps inquiry

[needSomeCoffee]

Hi Watercoach,

After a long hiatus, I am hopefully back rowing on WR series III.

Just a fitness rower.

Have decided to restart by doing all my rowing without foot straps.

Thinking is this will force me to user proper technique.

Not fit enough to make hugely powerful drives.

Can drive hard enough with feet outside straps to go anaerobic before
10 strokes.

Still maintaing good foot board contact when driving hard.

Can you please comment on the wisdom of this approach.

Thanks.
S.

[Jill]

Dear S,

Thank you for your message.

Rowing without foot straps is a good drill to correct many technique
problems; however it is really difficult to row 'hard' (or keep a good
consistent effort when rowing), as you generate a lot of momentum on the
way back on the Drive and sometimes lose your balance, do you find this?

What you can maybe do is warm up and cool down with your feet not
strapped in and for the main workout row with your feet strapped in -
that ensure you get the benefit out of practicing the drill as well as
get a good workout. You can practice your 10 'hard' strokes towards the
end of the warm up.

Let us know if you have any further questions.

Regards
Jill