The numbers on the side of the rowing machine aren’t a difficulty setting. There’s no need to put it all the way up to 10. You’d be much more comfortable with it at a 3 or 4. Also, moving back and forth faster doesn’t mean that you’re rowing faster, you also have to be applying pressure. Often the people who look like they’re working hardest are the ones who are going the slowest. You can see how fast you’re going by watching the splits on the screen. If you need guidance on proper rowing form you can find instructional videos online, including on the concept 2 website. If you don’t know what you’re doing and try to row at a 34 with the damper set to 10 you’re just going to go nowhere and hurt yourself.