Newbie deciding what to get

[tommybo]

Im 6'4, 300 lbs, trying to decide which machine to buy.

New to rowing, former college athlete but out of shape now. Dont like to "work out" but love to compete.

Are these easy to connect to some of the class apps or apps with some competition? What apps are recommended? If I can find some good apps I will do this 4-5 times per week...if it's just me jumping on and looking at my times, I probably will be 1 time per week.

Model D or E? Looking to get the right machine over price.

I also looked at the Hydrow for its connectivity and the Ergatta as well.

Any help greatly appreciated.

[Dangerscouse]

I don't think there's any benefit to pay for an E if the D is cheaper. C2 still use Ds in the competitions so they are still the preferred option for most rowers.

There are quite a few rowing programmes but I don't use any of them, so I'll have to leave that to others to comment. There are also occasional online rowing competitions that you could join e.g. Row Battles, Row'd Royalty

I like Ergdata but I prefer Ergzone for the extra data that this shows

[lindsayh]

The E is mainly made for Gyms and is good for people who have trouble getting down to the seat. Therefore the D makes sense for most.

[canglem]

You're a little taller and a little lighter than I was when I started rowing last year, and the D works completely fine for me.

If you want to compete in "real time" I understand you can also get a laptop hooked to the PM5 and get a subscription to RowPro to virtually race. I haven't done it myself, but you'll see quite a few mentions of it around the forum.

[michaelsimko]

I started lockdown at 6'4 and 303. The D is plenty good for me and it handles my length and power fine. I've been consistently using it every other day, alternating days with the skierg. The D still challenges me, and weight is coming off while muscle is being added. Super excited for the next couple of months to see where I get to.

As far as height, I haven't noticed any problems getting in or out of the D. Plus, I like it's look better.

It didn't take me long to ditch the concept2 seat cushion for one from Amazon that is super thick. I've read that over time you get used to the harder seat. So you might want to consider a seat if it makes your gluts hurt too much.

[tommybo]

Thanks everybody. Any app suggestions for classes or competition?

[Carl Watts]

I think RowPro is great but personally I would avoid competition in your current shape. Get the rower and start monitoring your heart rate and work up to 40 minute rows and loose a load of weight. Take 6 months to work up your fitness because jumping on and trying to race straight away is going to kill your motivation when you get smashed.

[Dangerscouse]

Maybe do a few sessions, of whatever distance you choose to find your current pace, and then use the pace boat as your own competition?

[Carl Watts]

Yes the pace boat is a good idea unless you try and go faster every row than the last one you did. Being overly competitive can be a trap you need patience as well.

[lindsayh]

Thanks everybody. Any app suggestions for classes or competition?

Best to stay away from competition as racing your training is counter productive. Just concentrate on form and solid steady meters for 40+ minutes is a good goal.
you could join a club and get involved with the C2 challenges 3 times a year and the monthly CTC challenge - a visit to the Forum Flyers thread on the teams sub forum below. There is no pressure but it does provide some variety and interest as each month is different.
The most used apps would be the Erg data app and the C2 log - lots of stuff here - just search
Read the newbie thread on the Training sub forum (it is at the top)

[tommybo]

I didn't even realize there was a pace boat...lol.

When I say the competition, I wasn't meaning competitive rowing, I mean my competitive nature...pace boat will do just fine.


Thanks all!!!

[dad404]

D is fine. I’m new to this also and discovered racing/tracking splits isn’t the way to go. Easy to get burned out.

There are two fun apps - kinoMaps which is easy to setup. Basically they’re videos (think nordic track style) that play at the pace you row. It’s interesting. It connects directly to an iPad.

I prefer zwift. It’s basically based so your rows move a bike. It’s multiplayer which is fun to pace with someone as slow as me. But it’s a pain to setup. You need an iPad running zwift and an iPhone running RowedBiker. Your c2 connects to the iPhone/rowedbiker which then connects to the iPad. I would pay for zwift in a heartbeat if it were easier to use