New to rowing

leetleone · Post by **leetleone** » August 11th, 2008, 4:10 pm

Hi,

I am new to rowing although I have been an avid cyclist for years. No one at my gym can explain the monitor on the Concept 2 rowing machine so I don't have a clue as to what I am doing other than sitting down, setting the resistance to around 7 and then start rowing. Can someone help me with this?

Thanks for the help!

Citroen · Post by **Citroen** » August 11th, 2008, 4:15 pm

Start here:

http://www.concept2.com/us/service/monitors/

We need to know which monitor is fitted to the rower you're using.
Click on the picture that matches your machine.

When you've done that come back and search on here for "drag and factor", you'll find my standard text about why setting the damper lever to 7 isn't consistent and possibly isn't sensible.

leetleone · Post by **leetleone** » August 11th, 2008, 4:23 pm

I searched on drag and factor but can't find your article

leetleone · Post by **leetleone** » August 11th, 2008, 4:24 pm

The monitor is a PM2

Couch Potato · Post by **Couch Potato** » August 11th, 2008, 4:36 pm

Drag Factor may be the post Citroen was talking about. It is a start anyway. Welcome to the mad house.

Citroen · Post by **Citroen** » August 11th, 2008, 4:38 pm

http://c2forum.com/viewtopic.php?p=1030 ... tor#103031

On a PM2 you need to remove your HR belt if the monitor has a HR interface. You press [1/0] to turn on the monitor then press [OK]+[REST] together.

Row six or seven nice big strokes and a number appears in the bottom of the display. That number is the drag factor. It should range from about 95 to 210 on a clean machine.

The recommended drag factor levels (according to Eddie Fletcher) are:

Male hwt (>165lb) – 125-140
Female hwt (>135lb) – 120-135
Male lwt (<165lb) – 120-135
Female lwt (<135lb) – 115-125

http://www.concept2.com/us/training/bas ... ensity.asp

leetleone · Post by **leetleone** » August 11th, 2008, 4:46 pm

Ok, now I know how to find it. But I am confused as to why 7 seems easy. My RPM is between 27-31 at a 7 setting. I also don't completely straighten my legs due to my right knee having arthroscopic surgery so it feels good to stop when there is a slight bend in my knees. I try to come forward where my shins are almost vertical. I am only rowing for 1/2 hour right now. Any and all tips that you all can give me is greatly appreciated!

I always wanted to learn to scull but never had the opportunity and I can' believe how rowing on the Concept 2 rowing machine has really smitten me! I want to eventually do races but that's a waaaays off yet.

Citroen · Post by **Citroen** » August 11th, 2008, 4:58 pm

leetleone wrote:But I am confused as to why 7 seems easy.

A number of things affect damping of the flywheel.

1. level position
2. dust and crud in the flywheel cage
3. altitude
4. air pressure/humidity
5. proximity to walls and other obstructions (more so with a model

If you don't get 95 with the lever on 1 and 210 with it on ten, then the machine needs cleaning. The worst I've seen was a drag of 109 on damper 10 (on a machine that hadn't been oiled or cleaned since it left the factory).

Print this http://www.concept2.com/us/service/indo ... enance.asp and give a copy to the gym manager. It's a health and safety issue if the machines aren't properly serviced.

I had one that nearly dumped me off the back when the freewheel sprocket let go. (And that was on a very well maintained machine. It was fixed by the next day.)

You may want to print this: http://www.concept2.com/us/service/indo ... ooting.asp

leetleone · Post by **leetleone** » August 11th, 2008, 5:56 pm

Ok, I'll check the drag factor tonight and see what it is on both machines. I printed out both sections from the links you gave me. If the drag factor isn't correct on either/both machines I will give the gym manager the info. I hope they aren't off as this gym is not good when it comes to doing preventative maintenance on their machines so it's not going to surprise me if the drag factors are not correct. Plus they are the only gym in town with rowing machines

Thanks again for the help. I'll let you all know tomorrow about the drag factor.

leetleone · Post by **leetleone** » August 12th, 2008, 12:15 pm

Citroen, you were so right about checking the drag on both machines. The first machine on level 1 was only 73 and on 10 was only 120. The 2nd machine on level 1 was 83 and on 10 was 154. I printed out the cleaning instructions and the troubleshooting link and gave it to our gym manager who said the maintenance guy was coming in today and she will have him clean both machines today. Thanks to your info, I then checked the drag at different levels on the 2nd machine and found where the drag was 125 then rowed for a half hour. I mentioned indoor rowing races to my friends at the gym and think I have created a monster. They ALL want to try it now