Who rows? (Concept2)

[HappyCamper]

Been doing some 30 minute steady states on there. Just watching the iPad to make the time go. That erg is no joke. I need to start getting after some shorter harder pieces.....3 min on, 3 off.....to start building some more power.

Joined the club over the summer and am starting to get a feel for it.....those above stats are inspiring. This thread was a little inspiration to pick up a used Concept2. I feel like I might be the 10th owner of this beast.

I float between HIIT in the morning before work, to 30-45 minute sessions with an iPad watching a show.

Kind of finding that to be a doable balance.

Sometimes I just want to zone out and get the heartrate up for a while. Used to ride stationery bike, but happy to see I can last 45 minutes now.

[phatty]

Back in the seat today for first row workout in a bit. Mix of weights and cal intervals to start finishing with 4 500Ms at sub 1:45 with 3min rest between. Felt strong so seems like my trail running didn't throw me off too much. Need to push the 2000M times for the next couple of months. Just bought a PM5 monitor so I can connect Bluetooth, etc.

[The AD]

What kind of heart rate do you guys sustain while rowing? I did a short workout last night where I warmed up with a 500, then blasted a 1000 (3:35), then did an easy 500 (followed by a strength workout). My heart rate during the fast 1000 was right around 140, but it felt like I was maxed out. When I do what I feel is a steady state row I'm usually more like 110. This seems low to me. When I do a swimming workout I can sustain around 150 without feeling like I'm pushing too hard. I wonder if my body is just more adapted to swimming, so I can work harder? I'm not even sure that makes sense physiologically.

[bfree]

What kind of heart rate do you guys sustain while rowing? I did a short workout last night where I warmed up with a 500, then blasted a 1000 (3:35), then did an easy 500 (followed by a strength workout). My heart rate during the fast 1000 was right around 140, but it felt like I was maxed out. When I do what I feel is a steady state row I'm usually more like 110. This seems low to me. When I do a swimming workout I can sustain around 150 without feeling like I'm pushing too hard. I wonder if my body is just more adapted to swimming, so I can work harder? I'm not even sure that makes sense physiologically.

Are you wearing a chest strap? I find my garmin wrist HR to be completely useless for rowing. Something about the rowing action changes blood flow to the hands such that it just can't get a good reading.

[Dantheman]

Activity-specific HR is definitely a thing. My HR cycling is 20+ BPM slower than it is running at the same RPE. That said, bfree is also correct--the current consensus seems to be that wrist-based optical HR sensors still have accuracy issues, especially for activities that involve wrist flex or tight gripping.

[The AD]

Good point. Yes, I'm using a Garmin watch.

[basinbeater]

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.

[phatty]

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.

This is exactly the reason I just bought a PM5 to upgrade my erg.

[AmmergauerTele]

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.

[phatty]

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.

[singlesline]

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)...

[AmmergauerTele]

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!

[singlesline]

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...

[stalefish3169]

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...

Concept 2 > indoor biking

Sent from my Pixel 9 Pro using Tapatalk

[The AD]

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.

[basinbeater]

^^^ Yep, that's my current MO as well.
Bunch of stretching. Row 2-5k. Lift. Eat.

[singlesline]

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.

[singlesline]

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!

[m2711c]

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.

[phatty]

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.

What you're looking for there isn't a rowing machine. I would suggest an air bike (e.g. airdyne, Rogue). As good a workout as a rower. The record for calories burned in 1 minute was on one. Won't work arms the same as lifting, but an awesome full body workout.

[shroom]

I absolutely almost killed myself on an assault bike once. torn b/w owning one and a concept2, it would be a tough daily

[californiagrown]

What you're looking for there isn't a rowing machine. I would suggest an air bike (e.g. airdyne, Rogue). As good a workout as a rower. The record for calories burned in 1 minute was on one. Won't work arms the same as lifting, but an awesome full body workout.

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.

[phatty]

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.

That's one reason I have both. Been on a rower a lot lately but my old $100 Craigslist Airdyne does the trick. The computer doesn't work, but I know when it kicks my butt.