Is your rowing seat pad as hard as a rock?
Are you considering getting a new cushion seat for your rower?
Consider this incident.
You have wanted to buy a rower for some time now because you want to be fit.
You have looked at all the options, chosen the rower you want, put it together and you are ready to start.
You have started using the rower and all is well. You are working your muscles and you heart rate has increased. The calorie counter is showing results and you are sweating more than ever.
Suddenly, you hind quarters (butt) is in so much pain. The pain is so much that all you want to do is stop rowing.
Discouraged by this, you get up and wait for the pain to go away. You had just got to the point where you were really feeling the workout until you butt started aching.
Well, if this is your current situation, do not be dismayed. Many people go through this and there is a solution.
You can buy a seat cushion for your rower, in addition to that, some practices that will literally get rid of any pain in your lower body that you get from rowing.
Reasons why you butt is in pain from rowing
You may be blaming your rower’s uncomfortable seat for your butt pain but it may not always be the cause of that pain.
These are some things you need to consider as the reason for your butt pain even as you purchase a seat cushion for your rower.
1. Bad seat
This may sound super critical but most rower seats are really uncomfortable.
The seats are not made to fit one specific person so it is difficult to make seat to fit every user.
The seats are make to fit an average size so if you are smaller or even bigger, chances are that your but will ache.
These bad seats cause pressure on your butt area that will manifest after 15 minutes of rowing. These pressure will hurt your sitting bones and even stop blood flow to your behind.
A proper seat pad for your rower will alleviate this problem.
2. Bad rowing form
Those who have just started out rowing have not yet understood proper form and thus do not concentrate their weight in the center of their seat.
Beginners have a tendency to incline too much in front or backwards and other times too much to the left or right. Â Many people may not know that they unintentionally put more stress on the left or right side depending on which they use most.
Try rowing without strapping in your feet in the footrest a few times in a week. This is because it will make you find the centre without forcing yourself to tilt to one side or else you may end up falling.
3. Muscle Soreness
When you begin to row for the first time, your muscles are exposed to a type of workout they are not used to and many times these muscles may have not been exercised in a long time.
A perfect example of a muscle is the piriformis. With time these muscles begin to toughen up and the pain goes.
You are bound to be sore in the back and the butt in the first weeks as your body gets used to this new type of workout. You need to give yourself time for your muscles to toughen up which will make the pain to.
Ensure that you stretch your muscles prior to working out and also after.
You also need to understand that working out on the rower for long is gradual. Just like running, start with shorter sessions, then progress to longer ones as you get used to using the rower.
4. Wrongly Assembling the Seat
This may sound a little embarrassing but it actually happens. The way the seat is designed makes people assemble it backwards as it looks like that is how it’s supposed to be. This mostly happens with the Concept2 rower seat.
The back part should be the one with the indentation. The hollow part is meant for your tailbone so that it can release pressure from there.
Some seats can be quite confusing. There many people who would confuse the front from the back but the hollow tailbone part should be at the back.
So, if you know your seat is facing the wrong side, change it and say goodbye to some of your back pain.
5. Overweight
I know some people buy the rower in order to lose weight but that may also be the back pain cause at times.
Being overweight can cause pressure because of being focused on your butt.
Getting yourself a seat cushion for your rower may solve this.
6. Siting Bones and Tail Bone
According to Wikipedia, when you are seated, the pressure is on your coccyx and ischial tuberosity.
When a rower seat is not properly designed or the tailbone and sitting bones are not properly align with the design of the seat, then they may start hurting.
Your bones may with stand it and get used to some of the pressure but a seat pad will fix this problem.
Advantages of Rowing Seat Pads
Since you have now ready why your butt could be in pain and how to solve the problem, you now know that a rowing seat pad alleviates some of these issues.
Here are some reasons why you should get yourself a rowing seat pad:
If you add a seat pad to your scull or erg you notice the difference in comfortability on any rower immediat
ely. It might not matter when rowing a 2k but for longer periods you will notice.
Your workouts will become 100% more comfy if you get a seat pad and this will assist you row for longer.
You will be more comfy because the pressure on your tail bone and sitting bones will be alleviated. You will also not go numb because blood flow on your glutes and hamstrings will increase.
Seat cushions may even improve rowing form because of allowing correct posture. Pain in you back, butt and legs will automatically reduce.
Once the pain reduces and you use proper form, you are able to get better erg time.
How to Select a Rowing Seat Pad and their Specifications
Once you have decided to get a rowing machine seat pad, you need to look at the various types that are available.
And just like everything else, these seat pads come in various shapes, sizes and have different materials.
We will first discuss the specifications of various seat pads and how to consider each.
1. Thickness
These seat cushions come in various thickness sizes even up to 2 inches thick.
It may not always be the thicker the cushion the better it is.
Thick cushions may end up putting extra pressure on other areas that are not in contact with the seat. An example is the hamstrings, they may be pressured and this may cause a decline in blood flow.
A thick cushion can also mess with your position and alter your form thus decreasing power.
A thick cushion is a matter of preference but consider the above before purchasing one.
2. Shape
Rowing seat cushions also come with different cut-outs, curves and molds.
There are those that are made custom for certain rowers such as the concept2 and WaterRower.
Some companies have special rowing seats for Concept2 rowers. This is because they are the most known and largest machine in the market.
These seats have many designs such as contours to the shape of your butt and other are just flat.
Others also have cut-outs for your tailbone and sitting bones to go in.
Before you decide to purchase a seat cushion consider what shape your seat is as well as where you experience pain when rowing. The cushion that is good will fit perfectly and alleviate pain.
3. Size
There are those that are very small while others literally look like seat buckets.
Others are wide and others will fit perfectly over your Concept2 seat pad.
Get a larger sized seat cushion if you feel your seat is too small. If your seat is okay in size, be careful not to get a cushion that is too large then it ends up getting in the way.
4. Material
The most important thing the material of the seat cushion.
Most of them are made from foam, gel or rubber (sorbothane, silicone).
These materials have their advantages and disadvantages but basically work the same.
The ones made from gel are for generic cushions and can be used on rower seat. They are not that customized and are just placed on the hard rower seat to make it comfortable.
The foam ones are a bit more customized with cut outs for your tailbone and sitting bones. They function just like gel seats and may be very thick.
Rubber seat cushions are made thin and just a protection layer. They are the most customizable and may come with lots of cut outs and contours. Gel and foam is a bit more comfy than rubber but they are good for athletes who want little cushioning but still have the normal feel of a seat. Some of them ensure you maintain proper rowing form.
Make sure you know which material your cushion is made out of. If you want one that will float or one that will keep your butt warm.
Consider materials that don’t absorb sweat and can be washed easily.
Best 3 Rowing Seat Pads
I cannot pin point one specific top rower seat pad because there are so many depending on people’s sizes, reason for their pain and intensity in which they workout.
Rowing seat pads are many out there and they have mixed reviews. I have a feeling that this is caused by people purchasing seat cushions when they already have issues and thus the cushion not fixing the problem.
Companies also do not want to make seats that mess with users form on the rower then end up having reviewers saying the cushions are thin or have no comfort.
Either way I still have a selection of the seat pads I think are the best below.
Skwoosh Gel Rowing Seat Pad
Skwoosh is known for making kayaking and rowing gel seat pads.
There are also mixed reviews on its functionality but more are positive than negative.
They will not affect your position because they are not so think and they are also waterproof.
Those that have used it with the Concept2 found that it works well. They come in three variations that work the same.
- Skwoosh Classic Kayak Paddling Cushion
- Classic Skwoosh Paddling Cushion
- Skwoosh Master AGP Row Pad
View the Skwoosh Gel Rowing Seat Pad lowest price here
YakPads Gel Filled Saddle Paddle
This seat pad is also a popular gel seat pad used for many activities.
The seat pad is marketed for kayakers but is used by rowers or any other sitting activity.
In comparison to the Skwoosh gel seats, it is slightly thicker but is used by rowers successfully.
View the YakPads Gel Filled Saddle Paddle lowest price here
2K Fit Rowing Machine Seat Cushion
2k fit has designed this new rowing machine seat.
I compare it to the ComfiLife Orthopaedic Cushion that people also use most but it is specific to rowing machines.
Unfortunately, the ComfiLife cushion is a bit larger and this has caused discomfort to some while using it.
The 2K Fit is becoming very popular because of the comfort it offers, especially among Concept2 users.
View the 2K Fit Rowing Machine Seat Cushion lowest price here
The Best Concept2 Seat Pads
Concept2 has become a very popular rower so naturally there are many seat made specifically for it.
Any of the ones mentioned above can work on it, especially the 2K Fit but here are more.
Concept 2 Seat Pad
This seat pad can be ordered directly from the Concept2 website.
This pad is thin and has cut outs for your sitting bone as well as adding a layer of protection.
Reviews on this pad have been negative but the price it is sold at, it is definitely worth trying.
The seat pad is only $3.50
Concept 2 Seat Cushion
This seat cushion is by Hornet Watersports and fits well over the Concept2 seat.
It is ½ inch thick and made from PU foam. It works perfectly in protecting your butt.
The anti-slip material it has at the bottom prevents it from moving during rowing.
View the Concept 2 Seat Cushion lowest price
EndureRow Concept2 Rowing Seat
This is a new seat that has instructions on how to make changes.
It is a bit softer and has tailbone and sitting bone cut outs.
This rower is expensive and should be purchased by rowers who are serious ad confident it will work.
View the EndureRow Concept2 Rowing Seat lowest price
Vapor Fitness Concept2 Seat Cushion
Vapor Fitness are the creators of this Concept 2 seat cushion cover.
It is made from silicone and fits on the Concept2 seat perfectly.
This one can be combined with other cushions to offer more support.
View the Vapor Fitness Concept2 Seat Cushion lowest price
Make your Own Seat Pad
In you purchase one of the seat pads I have listed, it will cost you a pretty penny and it can be frustrating to purchase an expensive rower and an expensive seat pad only to realize you have not solved the problem that made you purchase one in the first place.
This is the reason why I would advise making one yourself and testing it out to see if it alleviates your problem before going out to buy one.
You can make your own cheap rowing cushion by using either of the two methods.
Bubble Wrap and Towel
You can resolve your rowing seat issues by cutting bubble wrap in the shape of your rowing seat and putting a towel on top of it or just use a folded towel without the bubble wrap.
You may realize that this can alleviate your issues and you can purchase a durable one later on.
One may purchase bubble wrap or use an old towel that is not in use.
Buy and Cut a Foam Pad
Foam seat pads and pieces may be purchased from the store then you simply cut out in the shape of the sitting bones area.
You may purchase the foam online.
Once you have cut out the foam, adjust it to where you feel it is best.
Conclusion
As I started to write this post I thought it would only be a few words long. As for me, I do not experience issues on my butt as I row but I thought it is important for me to highlight how one can alleviate the problem as well as recommend cushions that may help.
At first I had no idea there are so many factors to discuss when it comes to purchasing seat pads as well as how they affect people differently.
There are so many seat cushions in the market and I hope you get one that works. Keep in mind that the seat may not always be the problem but instead, any of the issues listed above.
You need to give your butt time to accept the feel of rowing, ensure you have proper rowing form, start with affordable and easy solutions then proceed from there.
In case you need to ask anything about rower seat cushions, feel free to do so in the comment section and I will be sure to respond.