Any experienced rowing machine users to help me out? A link to a video with good technique would be appreciated!

[dudsville]

I asked at my gym to be shown how to use the rowing machine and I think I've been doing it as I was shown, but I'm doubting the technique as I'm not feeling much after this exercise, a little bit here and there, but the place where I feel it the most is in the muscles on the underside between my wrists and elbows which doesn't seem right, but what do I know. I've just seen a video that I think suggests that I may be pulling too soon, perhaps this is causing that area to get so much of a work out? Also, I thought I was told to keep my back straight, upright and to engage my core, that's fine but in the video I found she was doing a slight lean back at the end with the pull or row or whatever it's called. Does anyone know who would be an authority on this so I could watch a tutorial?

https://www.concept2.com/indoor-rowers/training/technique-videos/getting-started

Thank you I'll check that out!

Gyms generally have no clue of how to use a rowing machine tbh and they're often not well maintained either. Don't just whack the resistance up to 10. You should really feel it in your legs, and possibly the backs of your shoulders and glutes.
As above, concept 2 or British rowing would be where I'd start.

You're probably also gripping and trying to do too much with the arms. Fingers should almost just be hooked over the handle and the legs are the main work

Following as I just bought one and have no idea!

I love my indoor rower. I bought a Concept 2 two years ago and it has worked wonders. I used info from British Rowing to start off with and then had a 1:1 with a trainer to make sure I was on the right track. My main issues were gripping too hard, as PP has noted it’s a hook, I had a near death grip; and not using my legs enough to power.

https://www.britishrowing.org/knowledge/rower-development/british-rowing-technique/indoor-rowing-technique/

Rowing is about explosive power from the legs. Most people and even trainers in the gym have a wrong technique. Watch a video or two and you will be sorted. Well done for wanting to do it better, a 2 min video and you will be great. I am unendingly shocked at all the people who don't bother to even do that and instead do bizarre things on the rower which make the exercise pointless.
I can't remember what I watched to refresh my memory but there were plenty of good ones as search results.

Thanks everyone, much appreciated and great video @grandkk454 , that's really helped.

DH days extend legs first arms second and always have a straight arm when extending the legs. He then started wittering on about oars but I said it was for a machine. He used to row for his college and we have a massive rowing machine that he uses and lovingly cleans, It has kept him very fit at 55.

Thanks everyone! I don't expect a reply, but I wanted to update that I've been back to the gym twice now - initially I had the setting on a 1 pre-education, and was dismayed at reading that 3 to 5 was the starter level, but instantly with the change in technique I was able to comfortably do a 3, and today I confortably did a 4. I still have to pay a lot of atention to my form but I feel confident I will be able to do it at a 5 next time and perhaps higher. You've all been a great help.

No, you don't need to keep increasing resistance. Rowers don't tend to go above 4 although it depends a bit whether the fans are full of dust etc

What we try to change is the split, so the time/500m. The lower that is, the faster you are, and if you can get that lower without increasing stroke rate, you are improving the power you can apply.

Thanks @Harrysmummy246 , I have seen other rowers doing it more quickly, at the moment I can't increase my pace and keep an eye on form, but I'll aim for that.

Ah, depends on the work out- most time is spent very low rate (18-20) for quite a long time to build endurance - e.g. I did 40 mins rate 20 this week.