Concept2 Forum

I rowed in college as a heavyweight and recently got back into the sport. (Did my first 6k on the erg last night and am doing a 2k tomorrow ugh, don't miss that part!!!) I am 5'10", 160lbs, size 8/10. I'm not overweight, but not tiny, I'm definitly a "heavyweight" body type.

When I was on my college team we ate like pigs, I was up to 170, but pretty much all muscle. I have no desire to ever look like that again, and will be much more careful with my diet this time.

My question is, do you think its possible to get down to lightweight weight? I think it is 140?? If I lose the weight will my times suffer? Not that I'm too concerned about that.

If you have gone from heavy to light, what have you done, please share some tips and advice:)

Thank you!!

Ginger

Hi Ginger!

From someone who also is a HW, the bad news is that lightweight is 135 and under... I too would like to get there, but it's still quite a ways off for me...

Best wishes.

Alissa

Heather Johnson (aka afterburner on the previous C2 forum) went from 175 lbs (I don't know when - she was 158 lbs on 15 Nov 2004) to under 135 lbs today.

In this thread from the previous C2 forum, Heather talks about how she started off at 175 lbs and worked down to 158 lbs but would never make 135 lbs. Anyway, her signature now lists her weight as 135 lbs. Along the way, her 2k time improved from 7:32.2 to 7:27.1.

I myself went from 190 lbs (I'm 5' 11") to under the men's lightweight cutoff of 165 lbs in about six months. I cut out dessert, stopped lifting weights, and rowed a lot.

It can be done, but I can see how it's more difficult to make 135 lbs if you're 5' 10" (I remember how skinny I was when I was 5' 10" and 135 lbs). If you're not too concerned about how much your time will suffer, maybe you might consider getting to a weight that you're comfortable with, then competing against the heavyweights.

I can't imagine weighing under 135 at my height, which used to be 5 10 1/2
but by evening is now more like 5'9 (guess we really do shrink!) In college when rowing I went from 145 to 160ish and wasn't fat at all, in fact had low enough body fat to stop menstruating for a few years. Right now I'm right around 163--167 and could get down to a more solid 160. When I get around 160 I start to get almost gaunt--all eyes and cheekbones. But 135? I haven't see anything lighter than 145 since I was 14. I'm sure I'd be much slower if I somehow managed to lose 30 lbs since at least 20 of it would have to be muscle, and I suspect it would be the same for you. Heather is around 5'7" I think and that can make a big difference.

At 5'10", I'd be hesitant to aim for lightweight. I think the tallest lightweight women I've known was maybe 5'8" - 5'9" and she had maybe 10% body fat or less, and was also national team level.

However, I think it is mostly dependant on what you and your body are comfortable at without getting obsessive about what you're eating, how much you're working out, etc. Find the best BMI, body fat percentage, or whatever measuring stick you want to find a good starting goal for your height and go from there.

Good luck with whatever you go for and just be healthy about it!

Aiko

Well you are a lwt if you compete against men.

I'm about your size and height (5'11", 165lbs, size 12) and I don't feel fat at all, in fact I'm about 18% body fat and I think for women healthy body fat is between 15 and 20... could be 25 I'm not sure.

You could cut down to 140 but you'd probably have a lot less muscle and your time might become slower.

I am a proud hwt, I think cutting down to lwt would be very difficult.

At 5'10 I really think it is a matter of body type. I am a 5'10" lwt. During my heavy training periods I have no trouble staying around 131-132 lbs. During these periods I eat about 80 grams of protein a day to help keep the muscle mass up plus I lift 3x per week.

During the off season when I am rowing mostly long distance and slower stroke rates I go up to 136-138. However, I have a very small bone structure. I can still lift and gain muscle and be under 135. My times are also faster at 132-133 rather than 140-145.

If you have a heavier skeletal structure you may not make it to 135 nor would you want to. I am at about 18% body fat at 132 lbs.

I think the best route is to train hard and see what happens; some people seem to gain the muscle and keep the weight. When I train hard I can't keep the weight and naturally drop.

Good luck