What describes your situation?

bscastro · Post by **bscastro** » April 1st, 2007, 11:05 am

Hey guys,

I used to row in high school. At the time, I didn't like erging much.

However, after about 15 years since high school, I have hopped on the erg at the gym and been enjoying it.

I would like to row on the water again some day, but I can't commit to a weekly time with a crew at our local club, and actually I'm enjoying training on the erg.

So I guess I'm wondering how many people erg without rowing on the water.

Best regards,
Bryan

lyons9890 · Post by **lyons9890** » April 1st, 2007, 11:36 am

Definitly erg to train for the water.

johnlvs2run · Post by **johnlvs2run** » April 1st, 2007, 11:55 am

Where's the choice for row on the erg.

Citroen · Post by **Citroen** » April 1st, 2007, 1:37 pm

I had a go in a coxed 4 about 25 years ago. I'd love to move house nearer to some water.

bscastro · Post by **bscastro** » April 1st, 2007, 1:43 pm

John Rupp wrote:Where's the choice for row on the erg.

I guess I used erg as a verb. But hopefully the choices are clear enough.

Thanks,
Bryan

Yankeerunner · Post by **Yankeerunner** » April 1st, 2007, 4:21 pm

bscastro wrote:
John Rupp wrote:Where's the choice for row on the erg.
I guess I used erg as a verb. But hopefully the choices are clear enough.

Thanks,
Bryan

No sweat Bryan. A lot of us, if not most, use erg as a verb.

I picked up erging after having to give up my main love, running. It has been the best alternative that I've found. I wouldn't mind having a go at the water, but it's not as easy as walking from the bedroom to the spare room where the erg is located.

Rick

bscastro · Post by **bscastro** » April 1st, 2007, 5:44 pm

I used to run a lot (and still do run a few times a week when not on the erg), but there are a few things I really enjoy about the erg in particular:
1. I like the measurement capabilities - I'm a numbers geek.
2. The full body workout.
3. I'll admit I enjoy that not many people do it.
4. The non-impact nature of it...running 20-30 miles a week wore on me.
5. There is a nastolgic connection to my high school days.

Okay, there was a lot of self-admission and I'm feeling a little vulnerable so I'll end this post.

Cheers,
Bryan

Yankeerunner wrote:
I picked up erging after having to give up my main love, running. It has been the best alternative that I've found. I wouldn't mind having a go at the water, but it's not as easy as walking from the bedroom to the spare room where the erg is located.

Rick

ThatMoos3Guy · Post by **ThatMoos3Guy** » April 1st, 2007, 8:42 pm

I only erg when I can't get on the water.

bscastro · Post by **bscastro** » April 4th, 2007, 4:00 pm

I am not too surprised by the results so far. I figured many of the people of the forums discovered the erg while at the gym perhaps and maybe purchased one for themselves. I am a little surprised that there aren't more people who used to row who just use the erg, although I am glad to see I am not the only one.

If I were to vote when I was in high school and college I would definitely vote for the 4th choice - because I did not like the erg very much. It could be because I had the opportunity to go on the water.

In any case, I think the erg is a great way to exercise whether you row on the water or not.

Cheers,
Bryan

DavidA · Post by **DavidA** » April 5th, 2007, 3:20 pm

I rowed briefly in college, and would love to have the chance to again. Now just erg for general health and well being.

David

icon · Post by **icon** » April 5th, 2007, 4:08 pm

I discovered Crew in the latter part of my college career (I did it as part of club crew for only a few years) and after graduating I bought myself a Concept2 because I've not always been close enough to water to make a boat purchase be a viable option.

I also enjoy the instant bio-feedback (being an engineer type) that the ergometer provides versus sports like running (though GPS devices are making that viable now as well)

Its also one of the best, low impact, full body (anaerobic and/or aerobic) workouts available. I know many former Crew team types that think I'm nuts for actually enjoying rowing but I suppose the fact that I only did a few years of formal training and have always approached my training systematically it never was painful.

I will probably get a Skull one of these days but until I can do that... the erg is a fine alternative for me

tbartman · Post by **tbartman** » April 9th, 2007, 9:02 pm

I'm not sure how to vote, but here's my short story:

I rowed in an eight as a freshman at MIT (1985-86), then stopped (job, girlfriend, studies). Always missed being on the water.

In 1995 I was out of shape, bought a model C, rowed 1M meters in a year, and got in pretty good shape. Then stopped rowing again.

Last October, I was REALLY out of shape (260 lbs for 6'3"). LDL was 174, blood pressure was sneaking up. I'm turning 40 this upcoming summer, so decided to get on the erg again. 1M meters later (in 6 months) - weight is 195, resting HR is 49, BP is 116/63, LDL is 99, and I feel better than I did in college.

Still haven't been on the water in 20+ years, but for my birthday this summer my wife and I are spending a week at Craftsbury sculling. It'll help celebrate what I've done off the water.

Tom Bartman

bscastro · Post by **bscastro** » April 10th, 2007, 8:14 am

tbartman wrote:I'm not sure how to vote, but here's my short story:

I rowed in an eight as a freshman at MIT (1985-86), then stopped (job, girlfriend, studies). Always missed being on the water.

In 1995 I was out of shape, bought a model C, rowed 1M meters in a year, and got in pretty good shape. Then stopped rowing again.

Last October, I was REALLY out of shape (260 lbs for 6'3"). LDL was 174, blood pressure was sneaking up. I'm turning 40 this upcoming summer, so decided to get on the erg again. 1M meters later (in 6 months) - weight is 195, resting HR is 49, BP is 116/63, LDL is 99, and I feel better than I did in college.

Still haven't been on the water in 20+ years, but for my birthday this summer my wife and I are spending a week at Craftsbury sculling. It'll help celebrate what I've done off the water.

Tom Bartman

Great job Tom! Those are amazing results.

Best regards,
Bryan

Kangaroo · Post by **Kangaroo** » April 10th, 2007, 10:14 am

I just erg to train for water rowing.

Rockin Roland · Post by **Rockin Roland** » April 10th, 2007, 6:17 pm

On the rowersworld forum one of the fanatical OTW rowers once wrote:

"Place your erg on your driveway, get in your car and select reverse gear, then proceed to back over it several times".

I can understand the erg being a great fitness tool for gym rats and snowbound rowers. However if you have the opportunity to row on the water, take it. There's very little in common between the erg and rowing in a good boat on the water. They really are quite different sports.

Having good technique and rowing in a fast boat at speed is just the ultimate feeling in rowing that no erg will ever match.

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