Good point. Yes, I'm using a Garmin watch.
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Good point. Yes, I'm using a Garmin watch.
My Garmin watch (Fenix 5) is useless for rowing, but the chest strap works very well. The machine at the office gym has a pm5 computer so it connects to the phone and the chest strap. Get that all going and use the ergdata app and you can get cute graphics like the one I got today.
Attachment 505233
Solid effort on the 1k, I like. If the dampener is open too much you may find that rowing is more like a "weight lifting" workout. Too closed more like a "cardio" only workout. It is a balance between the two. I usually am around a 4-5 on the dampener setting. Lots of folks think that by having it at 10 on the dampener means they are working harder. It's all about the watt output not the dampener setting. Not sure if this will help. If you are doing it right, depending on age, you should be able to get to 160s no problem.
With power still out at home, I went for a 2K to see what I need to push for remainder of the year. Hit 7:07, so I'm getting close. Felt pretty good and followed with 4x 500m at <1:45. Will go for another 2K on Saturday. Really trying to break 7:00 before the end of the year and I think I can get there.
Any of you rowers have thoughts on a Concept2 as cycling cross training (and general health) vs...just riding a bike indoors?
I have a smart trainer, but it is kind of annoying to put my bike on it (and my 1x11 gravel bike gearing isn't ideal for the trainer) and I can't adjust the bike for more of a "comfort" riding position, nor can my wife use it. So I've been considering a smart bike instead.
But now I'm thinking about a rower. Might be nice to work a different set of muscles a bit and I have a perfect nook in the house to use it. Not requiring cycling shoes or setup would make it a lot easier to integrate into other workouts as well.
I suppose I'd lose access to tools like Zwift or TrainerRoad, but I don't really care about zwift racing (mostly use it in Erg mode with preset workout intervals)...
I bet you can find a nice used Concept2 on Marketplace. I would say it is probably the best bang for the buck exercise you can do. I do a combo of stationary bike, rowing in a single/double on the water, and the Concept2. Great combination of strength/cardio workout. Those Concept2's can take some abuse, and a used one can still have many more meters on it!
I've been watching, but I'm in a small market. And they hold value so well that I'm definitely not driving 4 hours to pick up a used one and only save $150.
I'm tempted to pull the trigger though. With a baby at home, I'm definitely feeling the effects of being more constrained in my outdoor exercise and it would be great to have something I can just go rip on with a low barrier to entry. With zwift and the bike on a smart trainer I always feel like I'm faffing around for half an hour before I'm actually riding...
Lately I've been using rowing as a warmup before strength training. I'll do a ten minute or so row, getting in a couple thousands meters then go into my weight routine.
^^^ Yep, that's my current MO as well.
Bunch of stretching. Row 2-5k. Lift. Eat.
When I spent a lot of time at a climbing gym, I liked to use the rower as a warmup.
I'd start fully grasping the handle, but then I'd let go with my thumbs and use my fingertips in an open hand grip (there was enough tension on the chain that I it wouldn't fall).
Seemed like a good way to start to get the forearms warmed up while warming up the rest of the body. That time on the rower is what is making me think I might want one at home.
Jumped in and it was delivered a few days ago.
The concept2 is a really nice piece of kit. I guess it is expensive compared to the cheapo rowers and other fitness-oriented stuff you can buy, but compared to bike stuff it feels like a steal. The ErgData app integration is pretty clunky, but there's something nice about having a simple solid, reliable monitor rather than some fancy touch screen with a million things going on.
Been doing some guided beginner workouts focused on stroke drills...trying to get the proper stroke down to muscle memory and get the body used to the motions before going full bore. Unsurprisingly my "form" from randomly using them in gyms was not very good!
Any rowing machines out there that focus more on pushing instead of pulling? Would be nice to have my arms in shape before a rafting season starts up again.
I absolutely almost killed myself on an assault bike once. torn b/w owning one and a concept2, it would be a tough daily
I was stuck between a concept2 and an assault bike. I went with assault bike for 2 reasons:
1) zero learning curve on form. Dead ass simple.
2) is usable with an injured arm or leg. In fact I was use it for passive ROM a couple weeks after major shoulder surgery, and was able to get in legs only cardio workouts while still in a sling. If your legs are injured, you can still get in a workout arms only. Basically, it's easy to workaround an injury with it.