Drag factor too low

[Oldibtgdy]

Found a health club erg I'd like to use after weights. Hopped on and, after setting the damper somewhere other than 10 (it's a health club) found that drag factor was maxed out at about 70. Reported it to club, suggested it was probably just filthy, but could have something really wrong. I could use the thing, though. How hard is it to fix?

[Citroen]

Ten minute job. Tools needed: 1 screwdriver, one vacuum cleaner.

[sekitori]

Although some health clubs and gyms have C2 rowers, many of them know very little about them. I imagine that some of these people hardly ever (possibly never) bother to clean the flywheel housing or oil the chain on a regular basis.

When it comes to using one, they probably know even less. A lady I know has been working out on a Model D in a gym under the supervision of a so-called instructor. I asked her what drag factor she was using. She said she didn't know and had no idea how to find out. I told her how to find it and she told me that the drag factor was 162. I said that was far too high and to lower it next time to around 120 and if she used another C2 (the gym apparently has more than one) to check its drag factor before she started using it. I stated that a level of 162 over a period of time would not only have an ill effect on her rowing technique but could also very well cause injury.

I expect fitness instructors to have at least some basic knowledge about the use of equipment at their facility. In this case, the instructor had no idea how to properly use a C2. Giving people poor advice is bad enough. When their lack of knowledge could possible harm someone, that's far worse.

[Carl Watts]

The C2 rower is the most poorly understood piece of equipment in the gym.

I'm looking at starting coaching over here for the likes of people at the Gym or Crossfit members as all the "Personal Trainers" are clueless.

[Bob S.]

The C2 rower is the most poorly understood piece of equipment in the gym.

I'm looking at starting coaching over here for the likes of people at the Gym or Crossfit members as all the "Personal Trainers" are clueless.

Crossfit is supposed to have a special training program for the C2 indoor rowers. I have seen videos of classes in which Crossfit trainers were being taught the fine points rowing technique by a well qualified rowing coach. I was impressed with the the amount of detail in her program and the fine quality of her presentation. That leaves open the question of how many Crossfit instructors actually get this instruction. And I suppose that there is no guarantee that those those have it remember it and use it properly.

Bob S.

Ah! I found an example:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOPQbP8hFmY

[jackarabit]

Usual case on the vid of do as I say I do not as I actually do. At hands away on the release, no way that's rowing on a tabletop or horizontal chain feed in and out. She does have a pronounced and defined fwd lean before the slide, which is nice. C2 Girl has that same hand drop past the knees and I'm told Xeno M also. I got rid of mine on advice. Blessed be the delusional and their disciples.

I don't care if the xfitters squirm like a worm and pull their shoulders out of their sockets by the roots. They have their demons and I have mine. I note that some tie up gym apparatus for spans of time disproportionate to the time actually spent using it. Circuit training? Circus Training? Prepping for a trip to Ben & Jerry's? WOD will they think of next? Jack

.

[Bob S.]

Usual case on the vid of do as I say I do not as I actually do. At hands away on the release, no way that's rowing on a tabletop or horizontal chain feed in and out. She does have a pronounced and defined fwd lean before the slide, which is nice. C2 Girl has that same hand drop past the knees and I'm told Xeno M also. I got rid of mine on advice. Blessed be the delusional and their disciples.

Yeah. You see that steep, downward line of the hands on the recovery a lot. Many of the culprits are top OTW rowers, surprisingly enough. I am quite sure that they do not do that in a boat. The coaches would really chew them out for doing it. "Skying the oars" is a major offense. One of those videos also shows her using a "mantis grip" at the finish of the drive, another no-no - one that I was shocked to see myself doing in a photo taking during a 2k competition. I don't think that it lowers efficiency, but some folks warn that it invites carpal tunnel syndrome.

In spite of the flaws, the overall message of these training videos is some very solid advice. If a lot of certified Crossfit instructors are practicing what she teaches in her classes, the Crossfit classes are well above the level of the usual clueless gym trainers.

Bob S.

[jackarabit]

Info on training camps for crossfitters here: http://www.concept2.com/indoor-rowers/training/crossfit also free swag.