Why did you start using a rower--specifically, the C2?

[jackarabit]

March 2014, a stent and cardiac rehab saved my life. May 2014, got a model D. Closing in on 9MM meters next month. Why not?

[Oarsome Fitness]

For me, the C2 was the machine that was in my gym when I first joined, although I can't say I grew much of an attachment then. I then went on to join my University rowing team and it was clear that C2 was *the* machine of choice in competitive rowing.

I attended an indoor championship one year in a conference hall that must have had over 200 C2s in. Insane!

I am now at a point where I recommend the rowing machine to anyone asking me for advice on staying fit - it is just so versatile and effective. I've tried a WaterRower but once you have confined your splits/spm combos to your mind and know the feel of a C2 inside out, the change is too much!

[Carl Watts]

Because its still the best rower out there despite some obvious flaws that are easy to fix but don't get sorted.

Its also the ONLY option if you want to use RowPro and to be honest without RowPro I would have dumped the Erg years ago, simply too boring to row without it. Your brain needs something to do while your body is getting a workout, RowPro provides that when you row with other people.

Over 13.5 Million meters and pushing on with the hardest season target this year to date.

[Oarsome Fitness]

Because its still the best rower out there despite some obvious flaws that are easy to fix but don't get sorted.

Its also the ONLY option if you want to use RowPro and to be honest without RowPro I would have dumped the Erg years ago, simply too boring to row without it. Your brain needs something to do while your body is getting a workout, RowPro provides that when you row with other people.

Over 13.5 Million meters and pushing on with the hardest season target this year to date.

What is the target?

[Anth_F]

Great thread... not sure how i missed it

I had been so lazy for near 2 years of (zero exercise + a complete junk food diet) then from out of nowhere i started getting an urge to find some piece of indoor exercise equipment to at least start making some effort to get in decent shape and lose my tyre i had

First, i looked at such things like exercise bikes and crossfit machines. Then one day, i remembered back to my childhood in secondary school... when we had PE, i recall the model C C2 rower they had in gym, i never ever used it though myself. But then something started telling me (yunno what rowing could actually be something you would really enjoy and something you have never done before and it's a complete full body exercise, that latter part is what really appealed to me the most) So from then on, i set out to find a C2 rower!! And when i eventually found one and started rowing, WOW, it was like a whole new world had opened up for me... and i knew immediately i had made the right decision to get a rower and start rowing, i absolutely love it. In fact, i would be absolutely lost without it. It is a way of life for me now, and i feel fitter than i have ever done before in my life

[jamesg]

I rowed and sculled when aged 13-22. Then at 62 a little exercise seemed necessary, so got me a 1x and a C. I'd tried some others, but the C2 has a reliable readout, thanks to the air-braked flywheel system, Newton and some nifty electronics. The feel is close enough to a single, better still if on slides. So the only choice.

[Rowan McSheen]

Because I wanted to add cross-training to my running regime. The C2 is ideal for that because it's a non-impact workout for the legs, among other things. My joints are fine but as I slide deeper into middle age I thought I'd pre-empt problems.

I bought my Model D PM3 nearly 10 years ago and have never regretted it. Not a cheap piece of kit, including RowPro and a laptop to get the most out of the machine, but in this case the price tag reflects the quality of the engineering and manufacturing.

I did look at other makes but figured that if the C2 can withstand the hammering and neglect it gets in gyms, rowing clubs etc, I would be unlikely to break it.

[Anth_F]

I did look at other makes but figured that if the C2 can withstand the hammering and neglect it gets in gyms, rowing clubs etc, I would be unlikely to break it.

Same mate!! I actually should have mentioned that in my earlier post.

I spent about 1 month looking at various other rowing machines, and checking out the reviews on them!!! They were always mixed feedback (mostly not good enough to inspire you with enough confidence in purchasing one anyway) The C2 was the only one that always had top notch solid reviews... but they were so so expensive. At first i looked into renting one, but you have to hand them back after 13 weeks etc!! So then what? Eventually, i wanted one bad enough that i was prepared to dip into my wallet for a change and shell out the BIG bucks for one And boy was it worth it

[Rowan McSheen]

Indeed. I agonised over the price for a while. But in the end, forking out a wedge that size was part of the motivation - damned if I'm going to let it turn into the world's most expensive clothes dryer.

Ten years on and I'm still Pete Planning ...