Concept2 Forum

Hi everyone,

We are all different-heights, weights, ages, occupations, fitness levels. Each of us likely has some favorite coping methods for staying interested and progressing towards our goals. They may not be included in an official training guide but they work anyhow. Feel free to add to the list.

Here is one of my favorites: I pick out some music, making a mental note of about how long it will play, start it up, and begin rowing. I have the monitor down so that I don't watch the numbers.

Instead I do some visualization. I imagine that I am connected to the erg by a flowing circle of energy. It goes from my ki center (around my belly button), down through my legs, around through the C2, back to me through my arms and back down through my body to my center again. Every stroke keeps the energy flowing around the loop. Sometimes thinking it is a giant rubber band helps.

You can close your eyes if you like. Your mind may wander off somewhere else and thats ok too.

Notice that my head isn't involved at all. No watching the stats, thinking about better ways to erg, etc. Just getting into the tunes and keeping the circle going. When my tunes are over, then I look at the monitor and see how I did.

Let me know if it works for you,

grams

I like your circle on energy analogy. I will try that.

I generally listen to music or watch a DVD. I hate commercials, so DVD, not TV, unless watching with the kids; some things can't be helped!

I don't watch the monitor unless I'm doing interval work. I much prefer to go at what ever pace is comfortable for me that day and at that point in the workout. I visualize water. I try to make my movements on the erg smooth, flowing, graceful and continuous like water. I also try to make a slow controlled quiet return up the slide so as not to disturb the boat. I think of the boat as sleeping and don't wish to wake it. Guess there could be a pun in there!

Pam

I need structure & variety to keep me motivated, so I use the training program on the UK C2 website. That way almost every day is a different workout, and I know exactly what I need to do: splits, stroke rating, time, etc.

When I'm actually erging I never listen to music (except whatever background noise might be playing- I usually don't pay attention to it). I erg in front of a mirror (at my gym) so I watch my body, focus on my form (especially relaxed shoulders and good posture). I think about pulling evenly with my legs through the drive- sometimes it helps for me to repeat a mantra, something like "strong and smooth." If I'm having a rough time I take a 100 for "positive attitude" where it doesn't matter what my numbers are as long as I'm really trying to have good form and pull with something resembling pressure on each stroke. Lately I haven't had to use that trick much. I try to breathe in a rhythm, and I get kind of meditational. I've tried rowing with music but it just distracts me from paying attention to my technique.