Drag factor racing

[nysaag]

What is your DF for training and competition?

[Cyclist2]

For competition; 128.

For training; very low DF for timing and skill (high SR), very high DF for strength (low SR).

Your mileage may, and should, vary.

[KeithT]

What is your DF for training and competition?

I do all my training at a 130 DF regardless of distance. I also use that DF for 2K races or any tests 2K or longer. I only change (go to 150) for shorter races/tests like the 500m and 1K. Not sure this is the best approach but it seems to work good for me.

[Dangerscouse]

Same as Keith. 130 for everything.

[JMac]

When I first got my erg, I would use high drag for sprint training. Anything from 160-220 for 1K and below. I think this contributed to my injury (torn biceps tendon). Since then, I've used 120-130 for everything, although I haven't really done any sprint training since my injury.

[gouldilocks]

I am at the other end of the scale - 200-220 for TT/racing , 250 for 10k+ training and 300-320 for 10k and below training.

Paul G

[MPx]

Something wrong there Paul - DF only goes up to about 220 even on a new clean machine.

I use 145 most of the time. Exceptions being ultra sprints - 220 for 100m and 1min and I may experiment a bit on 500m if I have time...otherwise 145.

[gouldilocks]

Something wrong there Paul - DF only goes up to about 220 even on a new clean machine.

I use 145 most of the time. Exceptions being ultra sprints - 220 for 100m and 1min and I may experiment a bit on 500m if I have time...otherwise 145.

Mike, If you take off the wire mesh strip it lets more air in - the highest I have recorded on a cold morning is 380 DF.

[Dangerscouse]

My 'almost new' erg that i got from Concept 2 had a drag of 247 when I got it in December last year, and that wasn't through messing around with it.

Admittedly this is still some way off 320df

[MPx]

After 22 years I'm still learning...227 is the most I've seen prior to your posts....

[Gammmmo]

I am at the other end of the scale - 200-220 for TT/racing , 250 for 10k+ training and 300-320 for 10k and below training.

Paul G

[gouldilocks]

After 22 years I'm still learning...227 is the most I've seen prior to your posts....

Mike, that's about right on a clean machine with the wire mesh grille in place.
If you have your own machine try a little experiment - set the damper on level 6 and measure the DF, then remove the wire mesh grille, leave the damper on level 6 and re-measure the DF - you will see a large increase, something like from 140-150 to 200-220ish.
If you are properly warmed up and don't have lower back issues then put the damper up to 9 or 10(with the grille still off) and row a few strokes - it will be significantly heavier than the 220 max you have previously experienced.

Please note that I am not recommending that this is the DF you should use - I use the machine as an all-round fitness tool to increase my all-round strength, I am not competing to try and get the lowest 2k time possible

Paul G

[ukaserex]

Like most, when I first began to row, I had the damper set at 10. It never bothered my back, or anything else.
After reading, watching a number of YouTube videos and learning what I could, I moved the damper down, and began to settle in on a DF of 110. I've slowly pushed it upwards to 130, thinking this is where "men" should have their DF. Then, I had a twinge in my lower back, and lowered the DF to 120, and that's pretty much where I keep it now. If I have a shorter row - 1:00 or less, I'll move it to 130. Otherwise, it stays at 120, unless I do a 10k or more, and I'll slide it to 117.

[OhBeWan]

DF of 125 for just about everything. I am doing the Online Virtual 1,000. Have tried DF of 145. Experimenting. SPM of about 32.

[wjschmidt2]

df 114 10k and above
df 118 5k to 30'
df 123 2k
df 125 and higher as you drop from 1k down to 100m

Everyone uses a different drag factor going by most comfortable feel for that event. I get worn out real fast if I use a df of 130 for anything 2k and over. However, 110 to 115 feels great at longer distances. Other people thrive at 135 and higher.

Bill