Fans

[RWAGR]

Second post in rapid succession. Sorry. I'm still trying to figure out optimum fan placement. Putting aside personal comfort/ preference, is there any substantive performance based reason to prefer a front-on vs rear-end fan while erging? For example, by using a front on fan are you giving yourself the equivalent of a running tailwind by helping getting pushed down the erg? And vice versa for a rear-based fan. And are there any rules about fans in competitions for this reason (or any other reason I'm not thinking of)?

Obviously the stronger the fan, the more this might apply, but I use pretty strong fans in the summer here as it's roasting.

[MPx]

Can't answer your question, but on a related point :
FWIW my preference is blowing onto my front and as a consequence the fan is located close to the Erg cage. I have to remember that that proximity does affect the DF, so DF needs to be set with the fan on.

[Dangerscouse]

I do recall an article in Men's Health magazine a good while ago (when I still bothered to buy it) that mentioned the research sports companies did for cooling the back, as it's a evolutionary hangover from when we were on all fours.

I have it on my back, as I find that if it's in my face it can dry my mouth out as well as slightly due to the above.

I doubt that there's enough power in it to make a difference to hinder or help the pace, but I'm willing to accept I'd be sub 6 erger if it was placed in front.

[nick rockliff]

Needs to be on your back, it's the largest area.

[Sakly]

I use a 20" industrial fan from front at the ceiling. It blows on my complete upper body, legs and - this is important for me - my hands. When I lift my fingers during recovery, this dries my fingers.

[hikeplusrow]

I erg in the garage, and use 2 x 12 inch desk fans - one mounted on my tumble dryer, facing me about four feet from the erg, and the other on the chest freezer to my left about three feet away. Because of the way my erg is currently set up, I can't really have one behind - but I do think that's the best position. I agree with Stu that having one in front does dry your mouth out. So, in short, white goods are the key

[mict450]

I sweat less when the fan is pointed at my back.

[Tobias Stoehr]

Max cooling effect on the back, but as my (lower) back is also the most prone to injury and stiffness I don't want that, so I direct it diagonally from the front, avoiding the flywheel.

[jcross485]

I've played around with a fan in a few positions. My go to is a floor fan directly behind me; with it in front, it does feel nice to have the breeze on your face but I've had issues with dry eyes and dry mouth as a few others noted. My wife has recently started doing a bit of work on the erg as well; she's also moved the fan around a bit and prefers placing it behind the erg.

I should note that where we have the erg tends to be very warm in the summer and very cool in the winter. It is also very, very dry pretty well year round - and by dry, I mean humidity under 15%, sometimes even in the single digits - except for a few weeks during "monsoon season", but most of that happens in the afternoon anyways and I train in the morning.

[Carl Watts]

750mm industrial floor fan placed in front of me. The relatively cramped position means you get full body coverage on the Erg with it vertical.

Now using the same fan for Zwift on the bike, its in front and tilted upwards, still covers the full body. Its 3 speed and have never needed it full speed, the air it moves with 300W is pretty amazing.

[dabatey]

Wish I'd never read this thread. No room to put a fan behind me, and I'm now noticing the two big fans in front of me are causing my mouth to go a bit dry lol.

[alex9026]

Wish I'd never read this thread. No room to put a fan behind me, and I'm now noticing the two big fans in front of me are causing my mouth to go a bit dry lol.

I don't have the luxury of a fan behind me, either, so I don't bother! Dry mouth and eyes isn't worth the trade off for me.

[dabatey]

Wish I'd never read this thread. No room to put a fan behind me, and I'm now noticing the two big fans in front of me are causing my mouth to go a bit dry lol.

I don't have the luxury of a fan behind me, either, so I don't bother! Dry mouth and eyes isn't worth the trade off for me.

HaHa. Fans are a must for me as the C2 is in a very small south facing bedroom. It would be a horrible sweatfest without them. Bad enough sweating now when I get off the rower after cooling down and lose the fans cooling effect.

[p_b82]

I have got a ~50cm tower fan pointing at my body/face down the rail on the other side to the flywheel.

I've also borrowed a small desk fan that I put at my rear when I did the FM for some extra cooling.

When my erg was in it's previous location there was no space to the rear for the tower fan, so it went to the front, and I got used to it. Dry mouth can be annoying, but a quick sip of water isn't a challenge for me if required.

Psychologically I prefer the breeze on my face - having moved the fan to the rear in the new location for a few goes - and I also found I got more sweat down my arms affecting my grip/handle on the rear compared to the front.
I could mitigate the arm sweat with wrist bands - I have them mostly placed on the handle itself for longer rows though.

I might just buy another tower fan for the back now I've the space - I could drop the fan speed of both if I've got better coverage.

[Dutch]

I have a tall fan on my back and a small one on a chair offset to right at what would be 2 o clock and angle it to upper chest neck or as has ben said I get a dry mouth. I do have a 3rd one which I am going to use offset to the left to go down onto legs. I do feel for me fans stave off a drained feeling. But not muscle aches.