Staying interested (upgrade to pm5/apps, or bike smart trainer?)

[JaapvanE]

The best thing for me about rowing a given distance is that the harder you go the sooner the pain will end, so I have motivation to work harder.

Yeah, that sums my motivation as well

[Dangerscouse]

First off, I hate time based rows as I get the feeling that regardless of pace, I still have to row equally long. Distance based training is totally different, mentally.

Agree 100%. The best thing for me about rowing a given distance is that the harder you go the sooner the pain will end, so I have motivation to work harder.

I've thought about this quite a lot over the years and I think I've concluded that, for me anyway, distance is better as there's a far big movement when rowing for distance than time. One second will always take one second to elapse, but in one second I could potentially move 4+ metres, which is far more satisfying to my simple 'inner chimp' element of my brain.

If I row for time, I always watch the metres increase rather than seconds decrease, so it's got to be a natural inclination for me.

[adccl8z]

I'm glad ombrax posted with an alternative perspective. He is on the money really. In 20years of erging, I can't remember when I have rowed for more than 30mins. Maybe I did 2*20 once upon a time. I occasionally do 30' these days, but otherwise the total (work) time is under 25min. My 'entertainment' is music and counting down the numbers. I recently started using the ReRow feature (a multi lane version would be tremendous!).
I was just looking for a change and something that might reinvigorate me.
I need to weigh up if a pm5 is worth it (and then I can also trial EXR). If subsequently I don't feel I'm getting the added benefits.. I guess I could sell the pm5 on promptly and recoup most of the purchase price.

[JaapvanE]

I need to weigh up if a pm5 is worth it (and then I can also trial EXR). If subsequently I don't feel I'm getting the added benefits.. I guess I could sell the pm5 on promptly and recoup most of the purchase price.

If you can run EXR on a windows machine, you can use a cable to a PM3 or PM4 (see https://exrgame.com/support/concept-2)