Concept2 Forum

Hi!

I just bought an used C2 Rowerg and searching for material to learn about rowing arrived to this forum!

I hope to continue learning and improving, I think tonight I’m going to start with the pete’s plan for beginners and see how it goes.

I’m from Chile, South America, so at the same time with rowing I’ll be learning English here

Welcome Sebastian : )

How much rowing or erging have you done in the past?

I ask because if it's still relatively new to you I would suggest that you take some time working on your erging technique before launching into the BPP.

Good Luck

I have less than 1kilometer of experience.

I’ll follow your advice. I’ll study more about technique before starting the plan. How much rowing you think is enough practice before starting?

Good that I heard you. I just finished 2500m and was enough for me.

I think I’ll do the first weeks of pete’s plan by half distances and with the progression reach the starting 5000m.

Also noticed that must improve the settings, posture or shoes because more than my muscles or lungs, my heels were uncomfortable on the footrests.

Off the top of my head I'd say there are at least three ways to evaluate your technique:

1) Use the "Force Curve" display on the PM (assuming your erg has a PM3 or newer monitor) to assess your overall stroke. See the C2 link below for more information.

https://www.concept2.com/indoor-rowers/ ... orce-curve

2) Take a video of yourself from the side and compare it to the C2 videos at the link below. This is actually a bit tricky, because for new folks it can be hard to notice all the details that can potentially throw off your technique. However, you should be able to catch the really bad stuff. C2 also has several "Common Errors" videos that might help.

https://www.concept2.com/indoor-rowers/ ... ng-started

3) Save your video someplace online, and start a thread on the "Training" sub-forum with a link to your video and ask folks what they think. Many here are super-knowledgeable and happy to help.

And finally, I hesitate to do this, because it perpetuates the myth that "if you're going fast you must be rowing properly, and if you're going slower than XYZ standard you probably aren't" but I'll say it just the same:

Based on your average pace in say, a 2k or 5k steady-state workout you'll get an idea of how well you're doing. As a newcomer if you're already down in the 2:00-2:20 pace range with a stroke rate around 20 strokes per minute then you'll know that you're doing quite well and probably have decent technique. (congratulations) But if you find yourself stuck around 2:30 and up, and have to use a very high stroke rate of say, 28 spm or higher to get there, then you may well have issues that need to be addressed before moving on to more serious training. (I see plenty of those on the Model E at my gym)

Feel free to ask any questions you may have - folks here will be glad to assist.

Good Luck

My pace was 3:08/500m, so lots to improve!

Thank you so much for your guidance, I’m glad that I found this community and will be visiting and sharing often. There’s so much to learn! that motivates me

Welcome to the forum, and we all have lots to improve on when we first start. Progress does happen quickly if you stay dedicated.

Hi and welcome,

As a beginner last year, the advice I'd give is to try to not let your ego dictate that you want to go faster at any cost; but spend the time focusing on the rowing motions - the drive is the most critical one, but each phase is important.

Your pace will dramatically increase with good technique, but your Cardiovascular (breathing/Hr) will struggle to keep up with the demands initially as your form improves and you're using more of your available muscle power.

Also measure, via the PM or ergdata app, the drag factor and try different settings, many use around 115-130 typically, but you may prefer how it feels when it is lighter or heavier - I have mine at around 120. Generally speaking do not slide it up to 10 on the damper and leave it there!

There's a lot of info under tips and general info on the C2 site that's really useful - it starts with stretching

https://www.concept2.com/indoor-rowers/ ... stretching

Most importantly - have fun and try not to overdo it to start with as you can injure yourself. (I pulled my biceps with poor technique initially!)