Converting walking to rowing

[JJW]

I have had a Concept 2 for three years and have used it off and on . . . mostly off.

My doctor recently told me that I wasn't getting enough exercise for weight loss. We figured that I was getting around 2 miles a day of walking and he subscribes to the 10,000 steps or 5 miles a day routine. While I don't think "5 miles" is set in stone, it's a good goal for me.

OK . . . so what is the rowing equivalent of walking a mile? I'd like to row and walk.

I walk a mile in around 20 min now. That's at a speed where I can talk and walk comfortably fast. If I were to mimic the same effort on a rower for 20 min I'd be rowing a pace of 3 min per 500 m. That's still being able to talk.

Of course, the walking involves different muscles and I'm pushing my body weight up with every step (around 2000 steps per mile) while swinging my arms. My legs are also swinging as I step.

The rowing action has some differences. I'm using my quads to push my weight . . . but it's horizontal. And of course, there's no arm or leg swing . . . but there's pulling. Stroke wise, I'd be doing roughly 600 strokes in the same 20 min.

That's about where I'm stuck. Has anyone thought through this any further? How do you arrive at a rowing equivalent of walking (or running)?

[johnlvs2run]

Walking is more of an all round exercise and you use your legs more than in rowing, which is mostly an upper body exercise.

I would do as you are doing already, and figure 20 minutes of walking or 20 minutes of rowing.

[RowtheRockies]

JR,

I beg to differ on what the primary muscles used in rowing are. Try this. Sit on the erg and try only using your legs, keep your back locked and arms extended just as you would at the catch. Push back with your legs at the same pressure you would in a normal rowing session. Next try using only your arms. Which way gives you a faster split?

I would also say that you would burn more calories in 60 minutes of rowing than 60 minutes of walking unless you are rowing very lightly.

Rich

[johnlvs2run]

Rich,

Try this, run up a hill as fast as you can. Now go back to the bottom of the hill, sit there on the ground, move your arms back and forth and see how long it takes you to get back up the hill.

As long as the intensity is the same, then 20 minutes of rowing will burn the same number of calories as 20 minutes of walking. If anything the walking will burn more, since there is more body movement than in rowing.

Take a look at 1500 meter to marathon runners and then look at rowers. You can easily see who is burning the most calories.

[Jim Barry]

Elia Luini (WR LW indoor rower)

I think conclusions about the value of the the legs in rowing can be drawn from this picture fairly easily.

[ancho]

Well, let's not go too off topic.
Rowing is many times counter-intuitive, and against popular believe, legs are used very much.
From my own experience, erging the marathon left me MUCH MORE exhausted than running it, and this taking into consideration that I primarely do rowing specific training.

Anyway, I think your appproach of doing both is great. Just find the pace you feel comfortable with, and keep improving!

JJW: If you are aiming for weight loss, you'll find lots of interesting information in the weight loss thread.

[ancho]

BTW, JB: impressive picture!

[johnlvs2run]

Ancho,

You ran your marathon 33 minutes slower than you rowed it. Try running it in the same time, then see how easy it is.

Rowers are invariably more developed in their upper bodies, and are not very good runners.

You do use your legs some with rowing, but not to the extent that you do with walking or running.

[hjs]

Walking is more of an all round exercise and you use your legs more than in rowing, which is mostly an upper body exercise.

I would do as you are doing already, and figure 20 minutes of walking or 20 minutes of rowing.

rowing an upperbody exercise?????????????????? you got to be kidding. You do a lot with the legs.

[hjs]

Ancho,

You ran your marathon 33 minutes slower than you rowed it. Try running it in the same time, then see how easy it is.

Rowers are invariably more developed in their upper bodies, and are not very good runners.

You do use your legs some with rowing, but not to the extent that you do with walking or running.

It is not about running it is about walking Jr.

[johnlvs2run]

Same thing, hjs.

If walking is too easy then go faster.

If rowing is too easy then go faster, or else go for a walk.

[hjs]

I have had a Concept 2 for three years and have used it off and on . . . mostly off.

My doctor recently told me that I wasn't getting enough exercise for weight loss. We figured that I was getting around 2 miles a day of walking and he subscribes to the 10,000 steps or 5 miles a day routine. While I don't think "5 miles" is set in stone, it's a good goal for me.

OK . . . so what is the rowing equivalent of walking a mile? I'd like to row and walk.

I walk a mile in around 20 min now. That's at a speed where I can talk and walk comfortably fast. If I were to mimic the same effort on a rower for 20 min I'd be rowing a pace of 3 min per 500 m. That's still being able to talk.

Of course, the walking involves different muscles and I'm pushing my body weight up with every step (around 2000 steps per mile) while swinging my arms. My legs are also swinging as I step.

The rowing action has some differences. I'm using my quads to push my weight . . . but it's horizontal. And of course, there's no arm or leg swing . . . but there's pulling. Stroke wise, I'd be doing roughly 600 strokes in the same 20 min.

That's about where I'm stuck. Has anyone thought through this any further? How do you arrive at a rowing equivalent of walking (or running)?

Just do it on feel. If it feels as if you are working the same it is alright. Just keep on doing things and you will see the benefits come.

good luck

[tap]

I'd recommend figuring out the number of calories that you are expected to burn during your 5 miles of walking. I Googled the following site just now and it looks adequate.

http://www.preventdisease.com/healthtoo ... lking.html

Next you should jump on your Concept 2, set the display to show calories burned per hour, and then begin rowing at a comfortable pace. Based on the number of calories burned per hour, you should have a good idea how long you need to row.

[Sean Seamus]

Here is an approach I've been playing with

Without remarkable exertion I can walk 1 kilometer in 10 minutes,
and row that distance in 5 minutes.

So when I'm in the mood, I walk and row equal amounts of either time or distance.

Partly due to my having walked a LOT over MANY years, and only having rowed for the past 2 years,
and
partly because - In My Opinion - walking is way less demanding than rowing,
<<certainly I get my HR higher rowing than walking, across the whole spectrum of Perceived Exertion and Minimum-Maximum Effort>>
I like to use the walking in this wachenrau scheme as the warm and cool components.

The ULTIMATE wachenrau at present is to
walk 16.6 k
row 25 k
walk 16.6 k
row 25 k
walk 16.6 k
Fastest Time Wins.
Estimated time (50 * 10) + (50 * 5) = 750 / 60 = 12.5 hours.

This scheme is based on a fictional Medieval competition dating from the Thorn und Taxis messenger services of the Hapsburg Empire, used to determine the calibre of aspiring couriers. The system stood from time immemorial until the advent of modern telecomunications, and elements of it are known to have been employed in Central & Eastern Europe in the 2nd World War. The competitions employed travel from Point A to a body of water, rowing/boating across that, and another walk to Point B, where a Sealed Message would be obtained and then returned to Point A.

The activity can be engaged in by a lone individual, but historically was engaged in by pairs whenever possible, as the life expectancy of one man travelling in the wilds of Olde Europe was short. The Empire maintained "Boat Houses" <bothaus> where food and drink were to be supplied, but for the medieval competitions aspirants were expected to carry their food, and wise ones always carried water as well - one never could be certain of the supplies - especially in times of trouble; and as the nature of the work was diplomatic, one could never trust anyone or anything.

Running was discouraged / not permitted, for two reasons.
1 - the most reliable couriers were always the older ones, who certainly could not run through all weathers year after year
2 - a walking man could travel without rousing suspicion - a running man would immediately be noticed.
In the current revival, one of the Main Features is to emphasize the accessibility of the wachenrau, and permit all comers, young & old, fit & fat, to participate. Running 30 miles non-stop is pretty much elite stuff, while walking it is tough but do-able

For training toward the full 100 k wachenrau, it is recommended to focus on manageable increments in the walk/row/walk sequence.

Wachenrau ~ You heard it here first.

~ Sean

[Neb154]

Walking is more of an all round exercise and you use your legs more than in rowing, which is mostly an upper body exercise.

I would do as you are doing already, and figure 20 minutes of walking or 20 minutes of rowing.

... Are you serious? Rowing as a predominantly upper body exercise? Please, someone, help this man.