Pinpoint your rowing technique mistakes with the Concept2 force curve

Want a quick way to diagnose errors in your rowing technique? Use the force curve in your Concept2 monitor!

Join us inside our online rowing instructor training for this session on the force curve and how to interpret the different things you might see on it.

Get to the force curve in your monitor by hitting the Display button until you see a graph with N and lbf on the side. Then row!

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[lflewisOk]

this is the best explanation of the force curve I've seen. Thanks for doing this!

[annewright]

This is the best explanation of the force curve I've seen - thank you!

[andydavis]

Thank you, for such a clear and precise explanation. I especially like the 2nd curve explanation. I now understand that mitten shape shows, in my case, a failure to lean and reach forward enough during the recovery phase. I have been able to correct that now.
So the force curve even shows faults that occur when you are not even supposed to be applying force. Brilliant!

[stevevos]

Thank you coach. I didn’t even know what the force curve was or ever used it.
But now I will to improve form & technique. Again
Thank you.

[mitchsegal]

Excellent explanation! I’ve generally ignored the force curve, but I’ll work with it tomorrow

[Tuggerme]

To get the most benefit out of time spent on the rowerg this is what should be used for progress & tracking and in my opinion nothing else. If you connect the C2 app on your phone to the monitor you will get all the other data to look at later - but really time / cals etc is just pure extra - good form / technique is key. I have been practising for about a year now on a C2E and it is an ongoing thing every-time and I think it should be - means I am paying attention and not just going through the motions. Started on a water rower a year before after triple heart bypass and have completed numerous challenges last year inc HM, have gone from 1, 000mts and hating it to 34, 000mts a week in 3 visits to the gym. Atm I do 2 x 12, 000mts at 4, 000mt intervals as something different to a straight 12k I was doing and 1 x 10k straight row. Your explanation was spot on.

[MichaelCoffman]

I almost always have my force curve on, and this is a great explanation of a couple of issues I sometimes see - thank you! Gotta keep that back straight - I can be a bit of a rounder.

[markharris]

Thank you! This is very thorough and useful! I’m definitely curve #5 (second row middle): all legs lol.

[tarunprityagi]

Great explanation for a very important concept. Thank you!

[neuromaiden]

How can I improve my force curve at lower spm? Even if at 20 spm I am able to have low splits (2:10 or 2:15) and good wattage (120-150), my curve looks like example B. Only when I increase the speed (26-28 spm or higher), my force curve looks acceptable. Am I opening my body too soon or my drive is too long? From my videos and analysis on Rowerup, my form is good, although I struggle to understand how to fix this issue. Thank you so much for all the great videos you post!!!

[SteveDiamond-yhis]

Is there an app that can record your force curve thru a session?

[carriesafford]

Great video and explanation!! My force curve is fairly smooth (no bumps or divets or drop offs), medium height, but it doesn’t go the full length of the x-axis. This is on fairly straightforward moderate intensity rows at a stroke rate of 22-24. Does it always need to go the full length of the x-axis? What do I need to do to get it there? Thank you!

[MikeMarchlik]

sometimes my curve will rise up normally but then stay flat then go down normally. Any ideas?

[xentaatnex]

I get a low even curve but how do I make the arch taller?

[verfugbarkite]

Mine looks like a broken tooth. Makes sense now - I’m likely over reaching my catch.