Companion Tool B
The Erg
A great trainer. A terrible teacher of half the stroke.
What it teaches — and what it lies about
Teaches well
- The sequence — legs, back, arms (no balance to distract you)
- Power application and connection
- Rhythm and ratio — the flywheel sound tells you when you're rushing
- Fitness — there's no substitute
- Self-coaching with phone video — set it on the side and watch yourself
Lies about
- Bladework — there isn't any
- Balance — the seat is fixed
- Reach at the catch — encourages overreach that kills boat speed
- Layback at the finish — over-laying back drops your split but ruins the recovery in a boat
- "Pull harder = go faster" — true on an erg, often false in a boat
Cues that translate
- Legs, back, arms
- Quick hands, slow slide
- Connect, then push
- Hang off the handle
Cues that do NOT translate
- Reach further
- Pull harder
- More layback
These three feel good on an erg and cost you in a boat. Be suspicious of them.
Self-diagnosis on the erg
- Is my slide moving before my hands clear my knees? (rushing)
- Did my back open before my legs finished? (sequence break)
- Am I pulling the handle, or hanging off it? (suspension check)
- Is the chain coming out level, or is the handle bobbing? (hand path)
- Could a coach tell where one phase ends and the next begins?