I focused on staying inside Dr. Jean Dubousset’s Cone of Economy. This forces me to reduce the angles of lean at the catch and finish. One o’clock at the catch/eleven o’clock at the finish! I also found myself sitting up a bit straighter.

The surprise is that keeping the center of gravity within Dubousset’s Cone of Economy results in two things: a force curve close to ideal and lower split times. I only experimented with keeping my center of gravity within Dubousset’s Cone of Economy because it is easier on my body and I feel stronger when I do. What I had not expected to see is a decrease in split times. In fact I had expected to see an increase. Doesn’t reduced lean at the catch shorten drive length? So how can I see lower split times if I have shortened drive length?

If the Dynamic Indoor Rower has taught me anything it is this — being in the correct position to start the drive off the stretcher with the buttocks is the most efficient way to use the slide to generate power.

If there is any question of this, I need look no further than this afternoon’s workout for proof. Too much forward lean at the catch makes it impossible to start the drive off the stretcher with the buttocks. So length at the catch is not the most efficient way to generate power. Rather the most efficient way to generate power is being in the correct position to start the drive off the stretcher with the buttocks. While excessive forward lean is an exaggeration and for this reason can be very showy, it is also proof that I have rowed past my strong point.