Damper and distance

[hollygirly310]

Sorry but yet another damper question!! Strictly a distance question...if I set the damper at 5 and then at 3 and perform the same exact stroke with the same exact speed will there be a difference in distance?

[Gammmmo]

Sorry but yet another damper question!! Strictly a distance question...if I set the damper at 5 and then at 3 and perform the same exact stroke with the same exact speed will there be a difference in distance?

If the power on the Monitor is the same, then yes.

[hjs]

Sorry but yet another damper question!! Strictly a distance question...if I set the damper at 5 and then at 3 and perform the same exact stroke with the same exact speed will there be a difference in distance?

Not with the same speed, with the same power yes, but at a lower setting the stroke will get faster, also with a lower setting the fan keeps spinning faster.

[hollygirly310]

Ahhh getting it, so I should just keep the same pace to travel the same distance no matter what the damper is set at, yes?

[KevJGK]

Ahhh getting it, so I should just keep the same pace to travel the same distance no matter what the damper is set at, yes?

If you erg at 2:00/500m pace the distance displayed will increase by 500m every 2 minutes irrespective of stroke rate or damper setting.

[hollygirly310]

Totally get it now, so obvious, duh to me....thank you!

[KevJGK]

Sorry but yet another damper question!! Strictly a distance question...if I set the damper at 5 and then at 3 and perform the same exact stroke with the same exact speed will there be a difference in distance?

You would produce more power performing the exact same stroke at damper setting 5 than at damper setting 3 and would therefore go a little further.

Best of luck with your training.

[hollygirly310]

Thanks Kevin! I'm trying to catch up in the Holiday Challenge so I'm rowing just over 10,000 m/ day and I do some in the morning and then again in the evening so I'm looking to cover the most distance as quick as possible but with about the same stroke. I set the damper to 3 yesterday thinking it would be easier but then thought was i having to actually perform more strokes to go the same distance thinking of the sleek boat vs heavy row boat comparison. I was focusing on meters and not my pace.

[aussieluke]

Few things:

Worry about drag factor not the number the damper is on. Go to the drag factor screen and row a few strokes to see what '3' and '5' actually mean on your machine - it will depend how dusty it is mostly.

Assuming you are a lady, I would suggest setting your drag factor between 100 and 120

As you are focusing on getting a lot of meters in the bank, then you probably want the drag factor to be in the lower end of that range as although it is not a 'resistance' setting, it will affect the way it feels on your back.

At a lower drag you don't have to row more strokes to get the same pace, you just have to drive your legs FASTER.

Don't know what stroke rate you are rowing at now, but if lots of distance is the goal you probably want to row at a lower stroke rate 18-24 and learn to drive hard and then get plenty of recovery between each stroke. And a lower drag factor will help you at a lower stroke rate - the higher the drag the faster the flywheel slows down after each stroke.

[hollygirly310]

Thanks AussieLuke!
What should i be doing different-
Yesterday...drag 127, stroke rate 29, pace 2:43 for 5538 m
Today...drag 112, stroke rate 29, pace 2:42 for 7515 m

[lindsayh]

Thanks AussieLuke!
What should i be doing different-
Yesterday...drag 127, stroke rate 29, pace 2:43 for 5538 m
Today...drag 112, stroke rate 29, pace 2:42 for 7515 m

I/m AussieLinds not AussieLuke but IMO it is better just to find a DF that suits you and stick with it for most or all training (unless you are sprinting)
It looks like 115/120 is about right for you so just leave it there and concentrate on your pace/power/stroke rate - changing DF makes very little/no difference to training or performance in that range.
Try to get a strong slower stroke for those distance pieces

[hjs]

Ahhh getting it, so I should just keep the same pace to travel the same distance no matter what the damper is set at, yes?

In general yes, but most people use one setting which suits them best. For the rest search for drag, others already chipped in.

[hollygirly310]

Thanks Lindsay! Today so far I did 7742m, drag 115, and pace 2:35. I'm finally figuring out how to get a faster pace by concentrating on faster legs it seems.I'm clearly new to rowing but let me tell you, I LOVE IT!!

[Anth_F]

I'm clearly new to rowing but let me tell you, I LOVE IT!!

Beware, rowing can become highly addictive

This time last year, never for a moment would i have envisaged myself sitting on a rowing machine most days and loving every single minute of it!! It's been a godsend really, and a complete life changer. I am also the only person in my entire family who has actually ever taken up rowing as well.

Enjoy, and keep on loving it!! It's these things that keep the motivation and interest high to want to keep getting back on for more