Any indoor rowers out there?

[Big J]

I've recently started rowing a bit on a Concept 2. I've taken it a little bit more seriously the last month or so, with a bit of encouragement from some old weight training friends. 

 

I've been back into lifting weights for 6-7 months now, have put 15kg back on and feel good in myself at 120kg (at 2.03m/6ft 8"). A bit more pudge around the middle than I'd like, but that's inevitable with the bulking. 

 

But it's been pointed out to me that I'm built like a rower, not a powerlifter, plus an old (and at time crippling until early this year) back injury means I'm pretty rubbish at lifting weights at any kind of competitive level.

 

A month of rowing and my times on some of the distances are very strong. What's been nice is how quickly it's dropped my resting heart rate too. Waking up this morning, I think it was just over 50bpm (I can just hear it in my left ear), which is down about 10bpm on 3 months ago. 

 

I've done distances from 100m to 10k (which is almost 38 minutes on the machine for me) and it feels like a great conditioning tool, with a strength bias. 

 

Anyone else on here do any rowing?

[Steve Bullman]

I always enjoyed rowing in the gym. I’d buy a machine if I had the space 

[JaySmith]

Running is my main sport (marathon’s) but when I’m injured and can’t run I camp myself on the Wattbike and Concept 2 on my local gym to replace my run sessions. Rowing is meant to be one of the best pound for pound work outs when you consider the benefit v time argument. I’m able to do reps on the machine like I would running, I.e 5 x 5 minutes effort with 1 min recovery or long tempos. For me the reason I don’t do more on the rower is I don’t want to build upper body for running but the cardio benefits are immense and less impact based than running 80 - 100 miles a week. There are various groups on Insta that post times and workouts etc. I think the reason many people don’t use the rower is because it’s hard graft when done correctly or to say Zone 5 HR level!

[Big J]

1 minute ago, JaySmith said:

Running is my main sport (marathon’s) but when I’m injured and can’t run I camp myself on the Wattbike and Concept 2 on my local gym to replace my run sessions. Rowing is meant to be one of the best pound for pound work outs when you consider the benefit v time argument. I’m able to do reps on the machine like I would running, I.e 5 x 5 minutes effort with 1 min recovery or long tempos. For me the reason I don’t do more on the rower is I don’t want to build upper body for running but the cardio benefits are immense and less impact based than running 80 - 100 miles a week. There are various groups on Insta that post times and workouts etc. I think the reason many people don’t use the rower is because it’s hard graft when done correctly or to say Zone 5 HR level!

It is brutal when you go all out. I did a 3:02.5 1000m last night and intended to do some more afterwards but had absolutely nothing left in the tank. I have been informed that that's the 12th fastest 1000m in the UK this year in my age class (30-39). I cannot claim any kind of special effort or talent other than that I'm just built for rowing.

 

As you say, it's super low impact, and that's something that's great for me too. I can't run easily (too heavy), cycling aggravates an old hamstring injury behind my left knee and swimming isn't a convenient option. Keeping to the shorter distances means a good hypertrophic effect too. 

 

Steve, the C2 rower stands up when not in use so it takes up very little space

[JaySmith]

That’s pretty rapid J! That’s probably in the top 100 or so worldwide this year I would assume. You should get an account and log your efforts with Concept 2 if you don’t already as they produce leaderboards etc for a bit for extra competition/motivation. I would say you are more build for rowing than me, I’m a 9 stone whippet so upper body strength and power isn’t my best friend although when it comes to climbing the lack of weight does help. The coach and physio who I used to work with for my running would set different kinds of workouts, for example some anaerobic efforts like you did but also lots of easier aerobic (slower and less intense) stuff to build endurance. Since lockdown the cost of things like the Concept 2 have gone through the roof but they are considered to be one of if not the best best product out there and as you say good away nearly out the way

[Steve Bullman]

2 hours ago, Big J said:

It is brutal when you go all out. I did a 3:02.5 1000m last night and intended to do some more afterwards but had absolutely nothing left in the tank. I have been informed that that's the 12th fastest 1000m in the UK this year in my age class (30-39). I cannot claim any kind of special effort or talent other than that I'm just built for rowing.

 

As you say, it's super low impact, and that's something that's great for me too. I can't run easily (too heavy), cycling aggravates an old hamstring injury behind my left knee and swimming isn't a convenient option. Keeping to the shorter distances means a good hypertrophic effect too. 

 

Steve, the C2 rower stands up when not in use so it takes up very little space

Its tempting. I think even stood up it will still clutter the place a bit unfortunately.

[TIMON]

Ive always used these as a warm up for a HIIT or Tabata class at the gym.
1k as fast as I can, usually about 28-30 strokes/min is a great stretch and warm up method.. my main obstacle to these kind of exercises is the repetitive boredom. Short hard bursts or Tabata routines work best for me.

[topchippyles]

Big J when you thing of all the top british gold medal winners of recent times they are all big tall athletic guys so not surprising your in your comfort zone here mate.

[Big J]

12 hours ago, JaySmith said:

That’s pretty rapid J! That’s probably in the top 100 or so worldwide this year I would assume. You should get an account and log your efforts with Concept 2 if you don’t already as they produce leaderboards etc for a bit for extra competition/motivation. I would say you are more build for rowing than me, I’m a 9 stone whippet so upper body strength and power isn’t my best friend although when it comes to climbing the lack of weight does help. The coach and physio who I used to work with for my running would set different kinds of workouts, for example some anaerobic efforts like you did but also lots of easier aerobic (slower and less intense) stuff to build endurance. Since lockdown the cost of things like the Concept 2 have gone through the roof but they are considered to be one of if not the best best product out there and as you say good away nearly out the way

 

Christ, I've got 10 stone on you! You are definitely built for climbing. My pullups are awful - my 7ft wingspan and bodyweight/levers just mean I'm crap at that sort of thing. Apparently, I'm at about number 50 globally in my age group.

 

9 hours ago, TIMON said:

Ive always used these as a warm up for a HIIT or Tabata class at the gym.
1k as fast as I can, usually about 28-30 strokes/min is a great stretch and warm up method.. my main obstacle to these kind of exercises is the repetitive boredom. Short hard bursts or Tabata routines work best for me.

 

I find the best way to avoid getting bored is either good music or training in the viscinity of someone else who is doing something more interesting. 

 

8 hours ago, topchippyles said:

Big J when you thing of all the top british gold medal winners of recent times they are all big tall athletic guys so not surprising your in your comfort zone here mate.

 

For my whole life I've had people saying "do you play basketball?" when they ought to have been asking me if I row!! ?

[Steve Bullman]

1 minute ago, Big J said:

 

Christ, I've got 10 stone on you! You are definitely built for climbing. My pullups are awful - my 7ft wingspan and bodyweight/levers just mean I'm crap at that sort of thing. Apparently, I'm at about number 50 globally in my age group.

 

 

I find the best way to avoid getting bored is either good music or training in the viscinity of someone else who is doing something more interesting. 

 

 

For my whole life I've had people saying "do you play basketball?" when they ought to have been asking me if I row!! ?

Not too late to become the next Steve Redgrave