Trying something different this winter

[Tickdoc]

I hate my trainers. I don’t use them. Most winters we are blessed with decent enough weather to ride in the winter but there are always those cold Jan feb into March months that seem to spoil that.

I hate running too, and gyms for that matter.

Going to give rowing a try. Something we both can do. Or, another piece of workout furniture?

https://i.imgur.com/hLpeFwwl.jpg

[batman1425]

You are in good company. Lots of former and some current oarsmen and oarswomen on this forum. Hard to beat it for low impact full body workout.

[eddief]

cuz it won't even make a good coat rack. :)

[mass_biker]

Great option for the colder months. Form is important otherwise you can hurt your back. When the running gets old (or icy) I hit the rower.

Favorite workouts:

5000s
1:40/20s

Big "fan". Ha, ha.

[dustyrider]

Oh man! If that doesn’t work out, drop me a line. I’ve wanted one of those for awhile now. I do hope you find “joy” in rowing. :)

[schwa86]

Actually for storage they stand on end and make excellent coat racks. But as a longtime concept 2 owner, I think you will enjoy the cross training ( relatively speaking). Be careful starting out with your back If you’ve not done it before — worth getting someone to eyeball your form.

[Steve in SLO]

Lookin' good.
Liking how you placed it next to a coffee table perfect for setting a beer on.

[weisan]

Aw...you have allowed Louis to brainwash you.

[robertbb]

Been thinking about either a rower or a skiierg....

Really just want to work the upper body and core a bit, as a supplement to bike workouts, and would try to use either with legs "locked".

I have years and years of lap swimming under my belt but the inconvenience (and expense) of getting to a pool means those days are about done.

Any suggestions as to equipment, or experiences, would be great.

[d.ram23]

I'll probably get one too. I used to row in HS and college. Just make sure you're using good technique, otherwise you'll mess up your back/shoulders etc.

Keep it up!

[Tickdoc]

Yeah my back is twingy today after a little rowing this morning so I guess it’s off to YouTube for some technique tips. It is fun feeling a total different muscle group getting used.

[72gmc]

This idea has been in the back of my mind for a while. When I had a gym membership I liked using their ergs. I’m surrounded by rowing clubs where I could get instruction, just haven’t done it yet.

Please report back on your purchase!

[Frankwurst]

Any suggestions as to equipment, or experiences, would be great.

I'd be interested in suggestions as well. Any decent rowers that won't break the bank?:beer:

[Themountaintop]

Just make sure you use proper form, a friend of mine tweaked his lower back which took him a while to recover from.

[ChainNoise]

I just looked up the prices of cheap rowers on Amazon two days ago. How ironic! I'll be keeping a close eye in here.

[Bentley]

Great option for the colder months. Form is important otherwise you can hurt your back. When the running gets old (or icy) I hit the rower.

Favorite workouts:

5000s
1:40/20s

Big "fan". Ha, ha.

Not sure I’m understanding but I can do about 1000m in 1:40, 5000m takes me -bout 9:30, so, ur doing 5000 in 1:40... that’s is crazy power. But maybe I am just not understanding....

[Bentley]

I'd be interested in suggestions as well. Any decent rowers that won't break the bank?:beer:

You can find a used one for 400-600, if you look. A water tower can be had for a decent price, but more maintenance

[nickl]

You can find a used one for 400-600, if you look. A water tower can be had for a decent price, but more maintenance

Concept 2 rowers cannot be beat imo. New ones are relatively expensive and used units are not cheap since they are bulletproof, low maintenance and don’t typically wear out during normal home use.

[Dude]

I think your numbers are off. There is now way you are completing 1000m in 1min and 40 seconds. 5k won't take you 9.5 mins either. It would take over 20mins.

"Average" users would take about 3.5-6 minutes to do 1000m (aka "1k"). Olympians will do it sub 3mins.


Not sure I’m understanding but I can do about 1000m in 1:40, 5000m takes me -bout 9:30, so, ur doing 5000 in 1:40... that’s is crazy power. But maybe I am just not understanding....

[mass_biker]

Some confusion on my recent post - no way EVER I could do 5000m in 1:40. That's olympic level stuff.

To clarify: my two favorite workouts on the rower are:

5000m: a set distance of 5k. In the depth of winter, I'm usually hovering 21 min+ range. As the season picks up and the fitness picks up, I find myself pulling in the low 20 min range (or around ~ low 2min/500 split). For me, this offers a good "steady state" workout in the 20 min+ range - about as long as my typical 3 mile runs, but at a lower HR overall, and less knee pain if you consider it an alternative to a run. You can find this on the "standard" list of workouts loaded into the Concept 2. But you can just as easily pull 5k whenever you feel like it.

1:40/20r 9...this is another "off the shelf" workout built into the Concept 2, but you find it in the "custom list" of workouts. Basically, 9 intervals where the "on" section is timed (1 min, 40 seconds) where you go as fast/hard as you can, followed by 20 seconds of recovery. There is a longer recovery after 6 intervals I believe. A little more intense for me than the 5k workout, and I find myself pulling in the 1:50s/high 1:40s for the "on section". The whole workout is done in 15 minutes.

There are lots more that more experienced rowers can point you to - these are two that work for me as a way to sprinkle some variety into indoor training...

[vav]

Some confusion on my recent post - no way EVER I could do 5000m in 1:40. That's olympic level stuff.


You still confusing people :cool:

1000 World Record: 2:48
5000 World Record: 14:56 ;)

[mcteague]

Concept 2 rowers cannot be beat imo. New ones are relatively expensive and used units are not cheap since they are bulletproof, low maintenance and don’t typically wear out during normal home use.

Yup, and they have inexpensive spare parts for the old models. Refreshed my model B a while back and it feels new again. Just needed a few rollers and bungee cord. There is a reason nearly every gym and rowing club uses them.

Tim