I started rowing today didnt go very well!!

[AndrewStrang]

I go to the gym 4 times a week and i would consider myself fit (I can comfertably run 10k) But i tried rowing and managed only 15 minutes before my arms were to sore to continue is this usual for a begginer?

[PaulH]

It's not uncommon, and suggests that your technique is not what it should be (your legs should be tired more than your arms). Check out the main Concept2 website for information on correct form, then try again. And don't give up - this is a great sport if you give it a little time!

[johnlvs2run]

Use your lats, not your arms, i.e. your lats kind of pull back your elbows at the finish.

[stargazertechie]

It could also be the fact that while he's a runner in reasonably good shape, the arms could be in worse shape than his legs, making them easier to fagitue.

[igoeja]

- Rowers tend to be tall and somewhat muscular, and as someone mentioned, if your fitness was for running you might need to work at developing your anaerobic abilities
- Technique matters, and requires much more leg than people intuitively use when they erg
- Most people set the resistance settings to high, nonrowers typically put the damper setting at 10, which lets them feel good for a few minutes, but isn't maintainable for a longer period
- Because of the large anaerobic component to rowing, you can easily start too hard then burn out, similar to trying to run your best mile time for 30 minutes

Like any sport, you'd need to train for it, and that mean testing, technique, and a program to develop your abilities. You can search the forum for various training programs.