Concept2 Forum

Hi All ,
Just joined a gym about 3 weeks or so ago. Main reason being for pre season football training. Started off doing some 5k runs and spinning before I joined the gym . Since I’ve joined I’ve been smashing the rower roughly 5 times a week for 3 weeks 30 min sessions . Average 7500m . My best is 7800 odd . Absolutely love it . I come off the machine looking like I’ve just had a shower in my clothes lol. Played football after a row yesterday and as a midfielder, the difference in energy levels is amazing ! So that part for me is working wonders . My other goal is to put on some upper body muscle . I have just got myself some supplements and protein powder etc and have started combining weights with rowing . I don’t wanna be a mr Olympia but I want to bulk up and then shred . My worry is , because I have such a physical job ( my Fitbit thinks I’m in cardio most of the day playing sport ) and I play football twice a week , will the rower help me build muscle if I combine my rows with weight training? Or will it just burn all my calories off that are needed for bulking ? I am aware that I need to eat loads of good foods and protein etc . Just want peoples thoughts as to weather you think it’s realistic to bulk and row and play football and work all week in a cardio state lol .
Any advice appreciated. Thanks

If you eat enough it should be possible. Its better to live like this than sitting the whole day. Don’t know what work you do, but if its walking mostly, you certainly can build your upperbody.

For what a sport will do to your body just look at the Elite in that sport.

Rowing will not turn you into Mr Olympia, in fact top level it doesn't really appear to make you "Look" that great at all for some reason, take 100m runners and even the womens kayak appears to build a better looking physique.

The Erg is pretty popular for those over 40, it most defiantly stops you getting a beer gut, helps weight control and if far better on the knee and hip joints than running as its zero impact.

I would probably use it like your already doing, as a measure of your level of fitness. The Erg is great for that, its a repeatable and accurate self calibrating bit of gear that can accurately track any progress.

7500m for the 30 minute is a great "Training Pace" row, sadly I'm starting to find that a bit difficult these days.