How not to get bored whilst on a rowing machine?

[shevchenko]

i have a concept 2 rowing machine. i row 3 times a week about 30-45 minutes.

Everything is fine except i find it hard to stay interested in the rowing for, at most, 10 minutes because i find that get bored very quickly.

what do u suggest to me?

thank u

[gregsmith01748]

Podcasts
Structured workouts (like fartleks or L4s)
Music
TV or movies
Rowpro (so you can row with othrrs)

[luckylindy]

A structured workout is a great way to maintain your interest, as is mixing up each workout a bit. For example, if I row for 30 minutes I might alter between rowing at 18spm for 500 then 30spm for 500 while maintaining the same pace ... or I might put in a couple minutes of arms-only rowing every 10 minutes ... or I might vary the pace every couple minutes. I just started the Concept2 UK Interactive Plan yesterday, and there seems to be a lot of variation in that as well.

I also listen to music.

[Bob S.]

I play mental games with the monitor numbers, but then I am a numbers freak, so it is not for everyone. For many years I had a model B with the old PM(1) and I found that to be very boring, but when I acquired a PM3 for that machine, it took a lot of the boredom out of it.

Of course there is nothing about any indoor exercise that can make it be anywhere near as interesting as being out on the water. There is no comparison and I sorely miss rowing OTW.

Bob S.

[chgoss]

RowPro is awesome, online rowing with other folks. Free evaluation copy at:
http://www.digitalrowing.com/Downloads/index.htm

[gregory.cook]

Recite poetry, e.g.,

We are the hollow men
We are the stuffed men
Leaning together
Headpiece filled with straw. Alas!

...
...
...

This is the way the world ends.
Not with a bang, but a whimper.

[luckylindy]

Recite poetry, e.g.,

We are the hollow men
We are the stuffed men
Leaning together
Headpiece filled with straw. Alas!

...
...
...

This is the way the world ends.
Not with a bang, but a whimper.

Nice ... I think I'd make it about 30 seconds before all my recitations would be:
...
...
...

[Charles Freeborn]

I put a square of self stick velcro to the handle of the erg and a matching piece on the back of an iPod so I can change songs, volume, etc. with my thumb while I'm working out. I've put together a playlist of "workout" songs that helps keep it interesting.
-C

[redzone]

For music, I use a set of Motorola S9 bluetooth headphones connected to an iphone. Perfect for erging in.

I used to like the level 4 workouts in the Wolverine plan as you changed rate and pace so often during the piece. I'm in a structured training plan with a rowing club at the moment so don't have time to get bored.

[BrianStaff]

iErg - which is really a seat cover with a pouch for your music player

http://www.dropbeatsdropsplits.com/Abou ... 0iErg.html

[riemsesy]

got my notebook beside me, and select the numbers I want to hear before I start rowing. Just on speakers, it's loud enough.

keeping track of progression is also something to keep it interesting. you are your own competitor

[mikvan52]

Being "more mature" , WHEN I do long intervals, I switch CDs during the rest interval.

Identification with personal favorite songs also aids with those "max" repeats..

Definite "no-no's"?
Talk radio.
re-runs from TV.

[jamesg]

get bored very quickly, what do u suggest to me?

As alternatives, you can always go and see your mother-in-law, clean the bathroom or wash the dishes; tho' if you were a really serious rower, you'd concentrate on making each stroke better than the last.

[tewbz]

get bored very quickly, what do u suggest to me?

As alternatives, you can always go and see your mother-in-law, clean the bathroom or wash the dishes; tho' if you were a really serious rower, you'd concentrate on making each stroke better than the last.

even olympic rowers listen to music well they row

[Rockin Roland]

I often spend over 90 minutes rowing on the water and have never once been bored.
On a Dynamic erg I frequently row for over 30 minutes and have also never been bored.
However, one I get onto a static erg I only need 10 minutes before boredom sets in.

It's all to do with the movement.
It doesn't matter how much audio/visual stimuli you add because the fundamental cause of the problem will still be there.
Try adding a pair of slides to change the movement. If that doesn't work then sell the static erg and get a dynamic erg. It worked for me so it should work for others too.