Questions from the new guy - your story wanted!

[RowerRookie]

Hello Everyone,
A few questions from a relatively new rower. I started using the concept2 because of back issues. I'd like to buy one for our house, but my wife is not sold on the idea.

Can anyone tell me a personal story of how consistent use strengthened their back? Your story could help me get a rower into our home

Also, if we bought a new rower could I resell it in a few years for a decent amount? It seems like there are never any for sale at rock bottom prices on the internet or gym resale places. It always appears that they are full price or very close. maybe nobody wants a used one.. or people just go buy new ones? Boise isn't exactly New York/Los Angeles population wise, so I don't know if there are any I could buy locally on the cheap, or if I would be able to resell locally.

Thanks in advance for all your help!!!

Brian,
Meridian(Boise area), Idaho

[jamesg]

Getting and staying fit is an essential part of life, and using an erg is a very simple way of doing it. If you have some other way, such as 3-4 km/day freestyle swimming, 2 hours bike or an hour's kayak or something, that's fine, they'll all get you fit and solve all back problems.

However the erg works even when the river's frozen over and with six feet of snow and once bought has cost=zero.

Back ache on the other hand is very expensive, especially if you take it to the doc. Mine disappeared ten years ago after about a week's work and I've never had any since.

[chgoss]

Easy part of the question first: C2's are basically bullet proof and retain their value to an astonishing degree . When I first tried buying one off of Craigslist, I literally called 7-8 different sellers only to find out that someone had bought it sight unseen within an hour of the posting.

A used Model C/D/E will last forever, and when you're done with it you can probably sell it for $100-$150 less than what you paid for it. The best value for your money is to buy one of the ones that C2 takes to WIRC in February, probably not practical for you though living in Boise.

Second part of the question is a bit more involved. The C2 static erg (models C, D and E) does put stress on your back. Different people tolerate it differently, but in general I would say that you are also going to want to do other exercises to help strengthen your core/back and not just rely on the erg. I have had a great deal of success getting my very bad back very strong by incorporating a steady diet of roman chair, squats and dead lifts in addition to the erg. The key is proper technique and consistency, weekend warriors are the most likely to get injured.

If you have a really bad back and are concerned about injuring it, check out the new dynamic erg C2 has. I tried one out at the HOCR last year and the difference was AMAZING. All of the force is on your legs, not your back.

[Bob S.]

A used Model C/D/E will last forever,

But not as long as the rock-solid model B which you left out.

Bob S.

[chgoss]

A used Model C/D/E will last forever,

But not as long as the rock-solid model B which you left out.

Bob S.

I loved my old B, nothing matches the sound that open flywheel made and the tractor seat was awesome!

But.. no PM3... No rowpro...

[added later] I bought my B for $255, put a couple million meters on it, and sold it for $350

[Bob S.]

I loved my old B, nothing matches the sound that open flywheel made and the tractor seat was awesome!

But.. no PM3... No rowpro...

I lucked out. I got a gift of a PM3 for my old B. It is still in use. I passed it on to relatives when I bought my D.

Bob S.