Concept2 Forum

Has anyone out there switched from running to rowing (or vice versa) as a means of conducting "interval training"?<br /><br />I thoroughly enjoy doing (running) sprints (from all-out 100m dash, to pretty intense 400m runs), but I'm a little concerned about the impact on my knees - my right knee joint started "clicking" occasionally last year, and it's not getting any better (no pain, just the occasional click). I'm 45 years old and have been performing fitness training for over 2 years. I started out with endurance training on a treadmill to lose weight (worked), then latterly I included some distance rowing on the Concept 2 to mix it up. This year, I have embarked upon more intensive free-weight strength-training, and I have used "sprints" or high-intensity running (max 400m) to complement my strenth-training. I have not used the treadmill or rower for a few months as "endurance" type exercises don;t appeal to me now. I played around with "interval rowing" on the rower, but prefered the running so I never worked-hard at the rowing. But that may have to change, especially if the rowing is seen as being "joint friendlier" in terms of meeting my "sprinting" goals?<br /><br />I'm thus wondering if replacing running with rowing will be an effective swap out in the following areas:<br /><br />* muscle gain/preservation<br />* cardiovascular improvements / maintenance<br />* joint-friendliness<br />* personal satisfaction<br /><br />(Yes I know, the last point is very individualistic, but I'd love to hear from those who have made a switch or major emphasis one way or another, and what they thought of it).<br /><br />Regards,<br /><br />WiZlon

<!--QuoteBegin-WiZlon+Aug 29 2005, 05:16 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(WiZlon @ Aug 29 2005, 05:16 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->I'm thus wondering if replacing running with rowing will be an effective swap out in the following areas:<br /><br />* muscle gain/preservation<br />* cardiovascular improvements / maintenance<br />* joint-friendliness<br />* personal satisfaction<br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />WiZlon,<br />Last year I switched to indoor rowing from almost a decade of running due to, of all things, forefoot tendonitis. Although both my running and rowing are for fitness and not interval training, my observations have been as follows.<br /><br />I have better overall muscle definition with rowing than running because with the rower I maintain a more challenging workout from day to day as I try to best my performance. My running performance was judged with subjectivity instead of the PM3. Because I pay more attention to my musculature while rowing, I have also incorporated free-weight training as an added increse to my fitness benefits.<br /><br />Cardiovascularly, it's hard to quantitatively tell. I feel no worse off and I feel able to achieve harder workout performance more often than I did while running.<br /><br />My joints are loving the rowing. Though, I can't say that there exist no pains, let's just say that the pains move around my body more quickly. When I ran, a pain would tend to linger for periods of time before going away.<br /><br />Personally, I feel more athletically capable with the rowing (and the free-weights) because I'm just stronger overall.

<!--QuoteBegin-TLCoons+Aug 29 2005, 08:02 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(TLCoons @ Aug 29 2005, 08:02 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Personally, I feel more athletically capable with the rowing (and the free-weights) because I'm just stronger overall. <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Thanks for the reply TLCoons. Your posting is very positive, more so than I really expected. Perhaps I don't have to dread the transition as much as I do right now. I appreciate your view!<br /><br />Happy rowing. <br /><br />WiZlon

WiZlon,<br />In all fairness, I miss terribly the simple joy of running outside -- especially in a light drizzle. It provided a certain freedom that no indoor exercise can replicate. On the other hand, being able to compete against myself all year 'round in equal and comfortable conditions is a whole other kind of freedom!<br /><br />I seem to push myself harder now than when I ran. Maybe that's more a function of my age (35) and situation in life than anything else. But I sure am glad that I have the C2 to keep me company on that journey.<br /><br />Regarding the 'clicking' in your knee, after 3 and one half years of practicing martial arts I developed a 'clicking' in my hip. At first I could just feel it; within a couple of months I could hear it; and in four months it hurt when it 'clicked'. That was when I swiched to running. And then rowing.<br /><br />At this rate, I'd better hurry and develop all of the physical fitness now while I can since it looks like I could be headed toward shuffleboard!

Just wanted to say I appreciated the remarks here--I'm a runner myself who's starting to feel some adverse effects on the knees. Nothing serious, just enough to make me realize I should have been cross-training for years already! <br /><br />I've been looking into rowers and my main thing is that I worry nothing will compare to running. I was glad to see your comments on improved fitness/musculature, etc. I hope to look at a ConceptII in a store this afternoon. <br /><br />Thanks again.

Hello Runners,<br /><br />A mate has challenged me to run a 10k @ 4:00 per 1000m.<br /><br />I can row that easily<br /><br />So should I be able to run that as well ?<br /><br />Or is that a question thats not possible to answer ?<br /><br /><br />Bill

I like running the best and find it most enjoyable, there just not being very many good places to run here any more.<br /><br />If you have a nice grass field, running barefoot on the grass is very easy on your legs.<br /><br />Running sprints are easier on your body than doing sprints on the erg. <br /><br />However, you can do the same types of sprints and repetitions etc either way.

<!--QuoteBegin-Bill+Aug 31 2005, 02:55 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Bill @ Aug 31 2005, 02:55 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Hello Runners,<br /><br />A mate has challenged me to run a 10k @ 4:00 per 1000m.<br /><br />I can row that easily<br /><br />So should I be able to run that as well ?<br /><br />Or is that a question thats not possible to answer ?<br /><br /><br />Bill <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />It's impossible to tell because we don't know your weight and neither your running economy. Unless you are light and have a good efficiency running it's not likely you will be able to do it.

Wizlon,<br /><br />I've never trained running seriously, running 3 times per week at most, with no interval sessions. This got me a 5k of about 19:20 after a few months. Last year just running once or twice a week and rowing I ran 1500m at 4:30. (about as good as a 16:38 5k)<br /><br />I think it's much easier to work up stroke volume with erging, and this central fitness transfers perfectly well to running. I know I can run a decent 5k with no running training, and that all running sessions I do will send my running performance rocketing. <br /><br />I had this years first real running session yesterday. I have a sore throat so I did just a slow jog with no panting. 4:10 per k for 5 ks. No doubt I could have beaten my 19:20 had I wanted to, and with no specific training. I intend to do 2 running sessions a week now for a while and I hope to better my 1500m before winter. <br /><br />Running can make me feel weak in the back though, therefore I will do only 2 sessions, and run no longer than 5k at a time. <br /><br />My point is that switching to erging does not necessarily mean you loose all your running capacity. <br /><br />Good luck with your training

Any hints on getting my running wife into rowing? She's concerned about her knees. She wants to run in Boston and then retire, but she has to stop being pregnant, and qualify for the big one. (She missed her cutoff by 3 minutes last time, but her next birthday will give her a 10 minute bump in the qualifying time).<br /><br />She played volleyball in college, and her nickname was "Ragu", because she had such skinny arms. Personally, I'd like to see my whole family compete at the CRASH-Bs one day.<br /><br />So, how should I show her the erg?

She is doing well with her running, so I'd support her to keep doing it.