Concept2 Podcast

[Quatroux]

I have not seen a thread on the topic of Concept2's podcast. It is available on iTunes, Google Play, and a few other services (no Spotify). The website for the show is here: https://www.concept2.com/indoor-rowers/ ... ut-podcast

They have published 27 episodes and it covers all of their equipment. However, the vast majority of the episodes are for the rower.

The first episode was published in December 2018. I have completed the first six workouts and they take you 7+km in about 40 minutes. There is a LOT of downtime as the instructor has to introduce the workout, walk you through the monitor setup, and occupy your time between intervals. If you paddle that downtime you can get to about a 10k each episode.

I understand the challenge of making a podcast for a wide audience. I think they have done a solid job of creating something that can be consumed by newbies and veterans alike. The trainer, Cady Hart-Petterssen, is pleasant and does a fine job.

Six episodes in I can say that these workouts have not made me slower. I do question how an athlete can establish ratio when the workouts are built around 24spm being the "light and easy" steady state rating. Most of the early workouts are around alternating pressure at 24spm which means an athlete needs to be able to go light, medium, and hard.

I think I can put even a rank novice on an erg and get them to give me all they have while capping the rate at 24spm. I am certain that a bit of training can get them to relax a while maintaining that rate. What escapes me is how anyone will row a light 24spm with any sort of ratio.

In short, the bulk of these early podcast episodes are encouraging athletes to row meters with a rushed recovery. That is a terrible habit to form.

I will say that episode 6 takes you through a great range of damper settings which would be beneficial to any athlete that needs to get a feel for how a range of drag factors impacts the flywheel. A solid episode worth keeping tabs on.