what if we quit weight lifting and go on with rowing

[hjs]

I'm currently experimenting with this for the next 6 months. With the drag factor a little higher (damper setting 5), that added resistance gives me the feeling of a decent workout, especially after a sprint session. I used to do gym 3x a week, but I'd like to see how just rowing solely compares, and whether it leads to new PBs or not over the next 6 months.

Just putting the drag higher, does not give you more resistance. It gives the possibility to get more, but only if you pull harder.
Either go faster or lower the spm at the same speed.

[mitchel674]

I'm currently experimenting with this for the next 6 months. With the drag factor a little higher (damper setting 5), that added resistance gives me the feeling of a decent workout, especially after a sprint session. I used to do gym 3x a week, but I'd like to see how just rowing solely compares, and whether it leads to new PBs or not over the next 6 months.

Just putting the drag higher, does not give you more resistance. It gives the possibility to get more, but only if you pull harder.
Either go faster or lower the spm at the same speed.

It's so hard to get this concept through to most people! Old guy at the gym I go to always scoffs at me when I get on the rower. He complains that he never gets a workout when he goes on the machine despite always cranking it up to 10. He's sure it's broken and can't understand why I would use it.

Here's a screen shot of his workout.

[hjs]

Yes Mitchel, the point is a bit, in gyms, the setting gives the resistance. Machines where you move air or anything else not fixed, you have to create the resistance yourself. Maybe the best pointer is saying, look at the watts screen. The higher that number, the more work you do.

[scottjoshua]

My gold standard for health decisions comes from mortality studies. While there is still much we don't know about the "best" approach to health, these studies can provide insight.

Regarding weight lifting & the value therein:

https://academic.oup.com/biomedgerontol ... /72/549632

This study echoes others in this field. Strength rather then mass appears to be more important. I'd speculate the reason for this is that muscle has a high metabolic cost to maintain.

Perhaps the value of strength training lies more in the neurological realm:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5472802/

If we look at both V02 max, and overall mortality, certain sports indicate better outcomes. Cross-country skiing & swimming appear to be the most efficacious in that regard (though admittedly these were smaller studies when it comes to mortality).

I think the reason for that correlation is due to muscle endurance being even more important then strength specifically as referenced in this study:

https://academic.oup.com/biomedgerontol ... 84/2328600

Regarding the OP's original question-I think it depends on your goals. Mine is to live well as long as possible. The above items, without even touching on the benefits of cardiovascular training tell me weight training isn't nearly as important as cardio.

While it's my own pet theory from reading the science, movement training rather then strength training in addition to full body cardio is my weapon of choice.