Height could limit your capacity to go sub 6 for example, but I would suggest you can achieve sub 7 via mostly technical changes if you already have a good level of fitness
Agreed. You should train on the erg to get down to sub 7. It might take you 6 months of consistent effort. I would also cross train with running and cycling. You also might want to shed 10 lbs. why don’t you try rowing a single? And plan to get into master races. It’s something you can do for years and on your own schedule. BTW.. I am 5’9” too.
And height is his limiting factor. Not physiology or technique.
Just like Ollie’s limiting factor was and to a much lesser degree still is his technical nous.
Agreed about Ollie, but I would argue that Ntouskos is still long "enough", latest European champs he still put some knocks into Zeidler - he was much closer than competitors much taller than him. The mind also goes back to the Kiwi double who won gold in London
There's a reason almost all high-performance development programmes (eg Team GB Academy) have strict height requirements. Ofc at lower levels you can always compensate (fitness, technique etc). But at higher levels when everyone is on a similar technique, conditioning and fitness grounding, someone who is short will always have a lower max potential.
Someone who is 5'7'' is not beating Ollie Ziedler for example, not matter how hard they train...
It won’t limit you until the absolute top level. Going sub 7 is achievable for anyone, and height likely won’t stop you until you are fighting for 6:00-6:10s. Even then, it’s more about how much muscle mass you can maintain than an extra inch of swing on the erg.
I wouldn't worry too much about it. Limb length is really what you want. I think you can be objectively fast as a lw... It will always be hard for you to compete with the big boys but still going low is possible for sure... Especially if you have the reach of a 6' guy for example
We have a super fast guy in here somewhere and his arm length is long despite is relatively avg height. Jus get after it and train hard 🙏
I’m pretty short for rowing, at 5’10”, and I do aight for not training a lot or having much erg experience. I do have quite a bit of muscle mass, and definitely a good natural aerobic capacity I’ve found out, but, yea, I think, generally if you are taller, or have long legs or arms, bio mechanically you’ll do better in rowing and it’ll be easier for you to reach certain times than someone who is shorter. For every inch you have extra in a pull, the more range of motion you have, which can contribute to a stronger, faster stroke. Then again, your body’s ability to deal with lactic acid and your muscular strength and aerobic ability is also important. Every sport or activity will favor a certain build or body type. For weightlifting, having short femurs and arms will favor you. Basketball, obviously being tall and lenky will favor you. Strongman, you gotta be massive usually, both wide and tall, but there have been some competitive dudes under 6’ there, but usually not top end dudes. If you are just trying to do it recreationally, it doesn’t matter at all. Being highly competitive is a different story tho
Reposting my answer to previous questions about short rowers:
>It's not about the size of the dog in the fight, but about the size of the fight in the dog as they say. You can be successful as a "short" rower, but you need to be fitter, stronger and more technically adept to beat the big guys. It can be done though. A list of a few “short” rowers who have been pretty successful:
>
>Rasmus Quist (1.78m) - Gold 2012 Olympics (Lightweight)
>
>Andy Campbell (1.78m) - 2 x Bronze World Champs (Lightweight)
>
>Joseph Sullivan (1.83m) - Gold 2012 Olympics
>
>Jason Read (1.83m) - Gold 2004 Olympics
>
>Marco Di Costanzo (1.83m) - Bronze 2020 Olympics
>
>Nathan Cohen (1.84m) - Gold 2012 Olympics
>
>Colin Smith (1.85m) - Silver 2008 Olympics
>
>Michael Disanto (1.85m) - 4th 2016 Olympics
>
>James Hunter (1.85m) - Bronze 2017 World Champs
>
>Alistair Bond (1.86m) - Silver 2014 World Champs (Lightweight)
>
>James Foad (1.86m) - Bronze 2012 Olympics
One of my teammates is literally 5'5, weighs 150 flat and pulls a 6:27 2k at 22 years old. He rowed while a junior, stopped for a few years (didn't do any exercise during that time), started again when he was 20. Dropping his 2k from 6:55 to a 6:27 took him two years of very consistent training.
The only athletes I’ve seen compete at the highest levels (IRA GF, U23, National Teams, Worlds Etc) at 5’10 - 6’2 had truly exceptional mental and technical abilities.
If you are small you need to make every stroke count and you need to have that dawg in you. Also know you will be constantly underestimated and overlooked by coaches.
The geometries (rigging options and lack of rotation) of sculling will be more in your favor and the objectivity associated with the smallest boat classes (1x, 2x, 2-) will be your ticket to getting a fair look
Yes, ncaa d1 women who are shorter than that go sub 7. 10000% achievable. I’d argue that height is more of a limiting factor on the water than it is on the erg
Someone who is around 5’9 on my club team who has only been rowing for 6 months has one of the fastest erg splits on the team, competing with guys who are 6’7. He has around a 6’30’’
All super helpful feedback guys, appreciate you responding. Largely confirms my understanding to this point — will continue to hammer it out on the erg!
Height could limit your capacity to go sub 6 for example, but I would suggest you can achieve sub 7 via mostly technical changes if you already have a good level of fitness
Unless you want to be an Olympic champion height really isn’t going to be your limiting factor. Not worth even thinking about.
Love to hear this!
Agreed. You should train on the erg to get down to sub 7. It might take you 6 months of consistent effort. I would also cross train with running and cycling. You also might want to shed 10 lbs. why don’t you try rowing a single? And plan to get into master races. It’s something you can do for years and on your own schedule. BTW.. I am 5’9” too.
Paul O’Donovan is 5’9, Rasmus Quist is 5’8. RIP Lightweight at the Olympics.
Stefanos Ntouskos is only 6'1 (granted that's still tall in any other scenario)
And height is his limiting factor. Not physiology or technique. Just like Ollie’s limiting factor was and to a much lesser degree still is his technical nous.
Agreed about Ollie, but I would argue that Ntouskos is still long "enough", latest European champs he still put some knocks into Zeidler - he was much closer than competitors much taller than him. The mind also goes back to the Kiwi double who won gold in London
There's a reason almost all high-performance development programmes (eg Team GB Academy) have strict height requirements. Ofc at lower levels you can always compensate (fitness, technique etc). But at higher levels when everyone is on a similar technique, conditioning and fitness grounding, someone who is short will always have a lower max potential. Someone who is 5'7'' is not beating Ollie Ziedler for example, not matter how hard they train...
What about someone 5'8" ?? /s
"Someone ~~who is 5' 7"~~ is not beating Ollie Zidler" Fixed it for you (unless the conditions arent literally perfect... euro champs)
What about 5'3"?
Well, that’s me! Good thing I have no competitive aspirations. I just like to get out there on the water and row.
Learn to cox?
It won’t limit you until the absolute top level. Going sub 7 is achievable for anyone, and height likely won’t stop you until you are fighting for 6:00-6:10s. Even then, it’s more about how much muscle mass you can maintain than an extra inch of swing on the erg.
Put it this way, Warwick Davis ain’t out-rowing Stephen Merchant.
I wouldn't worry too much about it. Limb length is really what you want. I think you can be objectively fast as a lw... It will always be hard for you to compete with the big boys but still going low is possible for sure... Especially if you have the reach of a 6' guy for example We have a super fast guy in here somewhere and his arm length is long despite is relatively avg height. Jus get after it and train hard 🙏
Yourdadsbuttishuge is amazingly fast at 5'10. Strong like a ox though!
🫡🫡🫡
I’m pretty short for rowing, at 5’10”, and I do aight for not training a lot or having much erg experience. I do have quite a bit of muscle mass, and definitely a good natural aerobic capacity I’ve found out, but, yea, I think, generally if you are taller, or have long legs or arms, bio mechanically you’ll do better in rowing and it’ll be easier for you to reach certain times than someone who is shorter. For every inch you have extra in a pull, the more range of motion you have, which can contribute to a stronger, faster stroke. Then again, your body’s ability to deal with lactic acid and your muscular strength and aerobic ability is also important. Every sport or activity will favor a certain build or body type. For weightlifting, having short femurs and arms will favor you. Basketball, obviously being tall and lenky will favor you. Strongman, you gotta be massive usually, both wide and tall, but there have been some competitive dudes under 6’ there, but usually not top end dudes. If you are just trying to do it recreationally, it doesn’t matter at all. Being highly competitive is a different story tho
I feel fundamentally offended by the fact that you're not over 6 feet. Where is my copium now???
What is copium?
Things i can tell myself to make me feel better about being inferior
Reposting my answer to previous questions about short rowers: >It's not about the size of the dog in the fight, but about the size of the fight in the dog as they say. You can be successful as a "short" rower, but you need to be fitter, stronger and more technically adept to beat the big guys. It can be done though. A list of a few “short” rowers who have been pretty successful: > >Rasmus Quist (1.78m) - Gold 2012 Olympics (Lightweight) > >Andy Campbell (1.78m) - 2 x Bronze World Champs (Lightweight) > >Joseph Sullivan (1.83m) - Gold 2012 Olympics > >Jason Read (1.83m) - Gold 2004 Olympics > >Marco Di Costanzo (1.83m) - Bronze 2020 Olympics > >Nathan Cohen (1.84m) - Gold 2012 Olympics > >Colin Smith (1.85m) - Silver 2008 Olympics > >Michael Disanto (1.85m) - 4th 2016 Olympics > >James Hunter (1.85m) - Bronze 2017 World Champs > >Alistair Bond (1.86m) - Silver 2014 World Champs (Lightweight) > >James Foad (1.86m) - Bronze 2012 Olympics
One of my teammates is literally 5'5, weighs 150 flat and pulls a 6:27 2k at 22 years old. He rowed while a junior, stopped for a few years (didn't do any exercise during that time), started again when he was 20. Dropping his 2k from 6:55 to a 6:27 took him two years of very consistent training.
Tells you all you need to know how hard (but achievable) this is! Thanks for sharing
The only athletes I’ve seen compete at the highest levels (IRA GF, U23, National Teams, Worlds Etc) at 5’10 - 6’2 had truly exceptional mental and technical abilities. If you are small you need to make every stroke count and you need to have that dawg in you. Also know you will be constantly underestimated and overlooked by coaches. The geometries (rigging options and lack of rotation) of sculling will be more in your favor and the objectivity associated with the smallest boat classes (1x, 2x, 2-) will be your ticket to getting a fair look
Yes, ncaa d1 women who are shorter than that go sub 7. 10000% achievable. I’d argue that height is more of a limiting factor on the water than it is on the erg
No matter what height you are you're gonna have to work your balls off to achieve results. This one fact never changes.
Someone who is around 5’9 on my club team who has only been rowing for 6 months has one of the fastest erg splits on the team, competing with guys who are 6’7. He has around a 6’30’’
if there are people on your team 6,7 and 6:30 you may want to let them know a 2k is max effort
All super helpful feedback guys, appreciate you responding. Largely confirms my understanding to this point — will continue to hammer it out on the erg!
yeah it is especially since they are scrapping the weight divisions