Just rowing? Or other cardio also?

[jvander76]

I have been rowing for about 3 or 4 months at my gym. I'm sold. I also do weight training, but do other cardio as well. But now I am setting up a home gym...so I dont HAVE to go to the commercial gym. I am considering getting an (Sole E95) elliptical in addition to a Concept2. Is that overkill? Redundant? Or can I get all the cardio I need from only a rower at home? At the gym I use an elliptical for about 40 minutes right after my 5000m workout. I think I could use some guidance. Would I be better served by just exercising longer on my rower? Or is there value in mixing it up?

[mjk]

You can get all the cardio you need from a rower, but if you're looking for another piece of equipment get something with good resale value. Concept 2 Bike Erg and Ski Erg are good pieces of equipment to complement a rower and C2 products are well made and hold their value.

I personally dont own either. My wife and I have a C2 rower and a Peloton Bike. The C2 rower is "my" piece of equipment, and our Peloton Bike is "her" (my wife's) piece of equipment, and shes very happy with it. I'll occasionally go for a spin on there, but a majority of my training is on the rower. If my basement had taller ceilings I would get a ski erg, but the ceilings are just a touch too low.

[jvander76]

Wait a minute...your PB is 16:20 for 5000m!?? Holy crap. Maybe I should just stay with the rower!

[Cyclist2]

I use an elliptical for about 40 minutes right after my 5000m workout

I would guess that if you feel the need for the elliptical after a 5K workout then your technique on the erg is not quite right yet. During a 5K row, even at UT2 (perceived level of about 3-4) I am getting a good cardio workout, as well as strength. A 10K workout is definitely a sufficient cardio workout.

As far as mixing it up, that isn't a bad thing, but if I'm going to spend money on one machine, it's going to be a C2 RowErg. As mjk said, other C2 products are great.

[Carl Watts]

Depends on what your want to achieve.

At about 30 I decided to buy a rower so I could quit the gym. Gym fees used to be really expensive and with like 2 or 3 years fees you could buy your own rower and I figured I didn't need anything else.

I think when you hit 40 or even 50 all your interested in is staying fit and keeping the weight off. Also by this time many of the sports injuries come back to haunt you, like your knees are stuffed from running and you need to move to a low impact exercise.

The rower allows you to keep on using it for a lifetime.

[alien878]

I mostly use the rower. I do other cardio in the summer, but it isn’t part of my regular routine.

If your only goal is cardio, I think the rower pretty much covers it.

I did notice I had to pay more attention to stretching, particularly the shoulders. I suspect it is because rowing doesn’t use the full range of motion. Or maybe I’m just getting old…

Allen

[Ombrax]

I am considering getting an (Sole E95) elliptical in addition to a Concept2. Is that overkill? Redundant? Or can I get all the cardio I need from only a rower at home?

As far as the physical aspect goes, I think a rower alone will be plenty compared to rower + elliptical. However, for the mental part, if you enjoy doing both and like the variety (and have the room) I would say go for it and get the elliptical too.

The only other consideration might be to get something that does a good job of complementing the rower. For example, if you've historically had issues with one of your shoulders or elbows, then if you can't row a piece of equipment that doesn't use that part of your body might be a good alternative. (on the other hand riding a bike indoors drives me crazy, so I know something like that would not work for me, bad shoulder or not)

[MartinSH4321]

I am considering getting an (Sole E95) elliptical in addition to a Concept2. Is that overkill? Redundant? Or can I get all the cardio I need from only a rower at home?

As far as the physical aspect goes, I think a rower alone will be plenty compared to rower + elliptical. However, for the mental part, if you enjoy doing both and like the variety (and have the room) I would say go for it and get the elliptical too.

The only other consideration might be to get something that does a good job of complementing the rower. For example, if you've historically had issues with one of your shoulders or elbows, then if you can't row a piece of equipment that doesn't use that part of your body might be a good alternative. (on the other hand riding a bike indoors drives me crazy, so I know something like that would not work for me, bad shoulder or not)

Very good point. The rower is a great tool, but when injuring wrist, elbow, shoulder, lower back... you have to stop. I prefer the bike for complementing the rower, as long as you can sit and your knees are OK you can have a workout

[Dutch]

I have the rower and bike erg. I find one complements the other. I also workout with weights.
I do a day on a day off, weights are on the same day as bike and about 2 hrs later.
A form of stretching is included throughout the week but not for very long periods.
It has taken a time to incorporate both and be able to use them as much due to fitness levels, most rides and rows are ss.
On rowing days a sprint is included as well. Again fitness getting better has allowed this.
Aerobically I am pretty good, but I do feel my physical ability lacks behind my aerobic.
The thing most people forget is mind fitness, discipline and confidence. Most people forget this and just wander along. To me it is the third part of the equation.

[Tsnor]

If you can afford it and have the space - grab an elliptical or bike trainer or ski erg. Quality equipment lasts forever. Having multiple machines gives you (and others in your household, now or later) more options. And an elliptical gives a great low impact workout.

That said, a rower covers a lot of ground. A quick check of polar flow says in the last 6 months >90% of my workouts were rowing (some OTW, some on the erg). Most of the rest were either on my excellent ancient lifecycle or outdoor biking. You may end up with a similar pattern with the rower and the elliptical, or you might end up the other way around. Either way you win. And usage patterns may change over time, after an injury, etc.

re:

Wait a minute...your PB is 16:20 for 5000m!?? Holy crap. Maybe I should just stay with the rower!

You can't read a thread here without tripping over a few national champs, people who rank in the top 5% of age group, etc. After a while you get used to it. They tend to be friendly.

[jvander76]

One of the reasons I am considering another cardio option is for my weight training days. When I have an intense (well, intense for me, I'm 66) weight workout I really don't feel like jumping on a Concept2, but I do have the energy for a workout on an elliptical. I'll have to give it more thought. BTW, I looked at the Ski erg. Damn. That looks hard. I'll need to try one first.

[Ombrax]

When I have an intense (well, intense for me, I'm 66) weight workout I really don't feel like jumping on a Concept2, but I do have the energy for a workout on an elliptical.

I'll admit to having a hard to doing this myself, but it's worth pointing out that it is possible to do an "easy row" on the erg.

Other than your ego or competitive personality, nothing is really forcing one to row hard every time you hop on - 2:15 (or whatever works for you) can be done, as long as you aren't the type who feels like he has to see a sub-2:00 pace on the PM whenever he's rowing.

[kini62]

One of the reasons I am considering another cardio option is for my weight training days. When I have an intense (well, intense for me, I'm 66) weight workout I really don't feel like jumping on a Concept2, but I do have the energy for a workout on an elliptical. I'll have to give it more thought. BTW, I looked at the Ski erg. Damn. That looks hard. I'll need to try one first.

I use the C2, the skierg and I Zwift (bike). The skierg (IMO) compliments the C2 best. Between the 2 you hit every muscle in the body. It's good for when your legs are tired or sore from rowing, riding or lifting.

[jvander76]

Thanks Ombrax. Valid point. I will give it a try (doing a less intense workout on weight training days) prior to running out to get another piece of cardio equipment. Besides, my home exercise space is only 10x12!

[jvander76]

kini62, I watched a few videos on the ski erg, and was thinking exactly that. It does look like a good compliment to the rower. It is good to hear your confirmation. After I add rubber flooring to the existing floor tile, I will have about 7'10" left...so I think that is enough for the ski erg if I go that route.