Out Of Shape?

[[old] Lisa]

<!--QuoteBegin-PaulS+Jan 28 2005, 08:55 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(PaulS @ Jan 28 2005, 08:55 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin--><br /><br /><br />Set the DF to 110 and work with that.  Of course I'd suggest to not use the straps, and to work toward making the stroke a continuous motion, covering 10 meters between catches to establish "ratio". AKA - "Strapless, 10m Per Stroke" (S10PS)<br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br /><br />Paul, can you help me out here. I'm not sure what you're talking about. I assume DF means drag factor? How do I set that? I have a PM2+ and I don't see anything about drag on it.<br /><br />I'll try without the straps. Thanks for the advice. I guess whatever I do is better than the couch potato who does nothing, even if they are slow times.<br /><br />Lisa

[[old] John Rupp]

Lisa,<br />You're doing great.<br />I only went an hour without stopping 1 time in the first 8 years of having the rowing machine. Don't worry as you will keep improving the more you keep at it. And what you do is the most important, not the times.<br /><!--QuoteBegin-pduck+Jan 27 2005, 08:56 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(pduck @ Jan 27 2005, 08:56 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->I have a theory that the only people who post their times are the really good rowers and they're throwing off the curve. There are a lot of people like us out there.) </td></tr></table><br />Yes that is exactly correct. The rankings only list whoever puts their times there, not any percentage from a WR or top level time. If that was done, instead, then people would more accurately see their levels of performance and this would encourage more participation in the rankings.

[[old] John Rupp]

Lisa,<br /><br />You can set the drag factor by pressing [ok][rest] at the same time and then rowing.<br /><br />I use a drag factor of 75 to 100.

[[old] Lisa]

I checked my drag factor and it's 102. I'm rowing about 24 spm but with not a lot of power because my 500 m. time is about 2:45 when I row for 30 minutes at a time. I'm getting about 6 m. out of each stroke. I guess I'm rowing fast but without a lot of power. If I slow down and pull harder I get too tired to keep it up for long. The faster spm feels better to me. <br /><br />I dunno - maybe that's all wrong, but I'm hoping it will help me lose weight because that's really my goal right now. I'm coming back from a couple of surgeries this year and need to get off that weight that I gained while I was recuperating.<br /><br />So maybe long wimpy row sessions are the way for me to go now?<br /><br />Lisa

[[old] gw1]

As others have said, your progress is great and this is a long (and often frustrating) journey.<br />With regard to the time, i think the new rowers should look at them from the bottom up, work on improving your technique for the first few months. Do pay attention to your rate for different distances and or time pieces, Then if you feel you are ready try do not worrying about the fastest times at all. Simply stay with a rate that you maintain good form and slowly work your way up the percentile levels. <br /><br />GW

[[old] susan]

Hi Lisa, I too am a newbie;I bought my machine on Tuesday of last week (1/25). I did my first 5k yesterday and did it in 32:37.9. <br /><br />Even though my time is rather slow, I have to say that I was just thrilled that I managed to complete it. At 2,500m I thought I was going to expire, but I persevered and actually celebrated my very fatigued wobbly thighs afterwards. It just feels so darned great to ache and know that I am doing good things for my body. Oh yeah.<br /><br />I love the feel, love the hard work, and I'm never going to stop!<br /><br />I'm really looking forward to getting more comfortable on the machine and delving deeper into all that is "erging".<br /><br />