I have been interested in buying a concept 2 for weight loss. Im 5'10 and 250 pounds. Im looking to drop 60 pounds. I cant run because of the extra weight i have problems with heal pain. I love to Kayak and mountain bike but time is an issue now that im married with two kids. I work 6 days a week and the one day a week Im off my wife is at work so I have to run the kids around. I find I have no time to get out and exercise. My only free time is from 9-10 at night and its to late to go out for a bike ride or a paddle. I was looking for a full body low impact workout and some one recommended a rowing machine. I have never tried one and cant seem to find one to try. I have two concerns. One, I have heard it can be hard on your back. I dont have back problems but since i have never done this before It was something I wanted to ask about. Two, and the biggest concern is the money. It is expensive. I dont work 6 days a week because I love work. Money is tight and the Concept 2 machine is expensive. Is it worth it over some of the less expensive rowing machines i have seen???
Thanks in advance for any advice you might have.
Andy
Need some advice?
It is worth it IF you use it. Here are my two cents worth:
1) Fitness: It is an excellent workout for days when you are stuck at home/indoors for whatever reason (kids and rain are my primary reasons), as long as you have a spot for it (living room conversation piece, bedroom, balcony, carport and now garage have all worked for us). You can get a good overall workout using videos or burn calories with a stationary bike, but the erg uses an excellent spectrum of muscles and I prefer it. If you have decided on an erg, Concept2 is the only one I would recommend. The funky piston kind are not ergonomic and it's much easier to strain your back and not use your leg muscles with them.
2) Cost: C2's are expensive and a big commitment. However, if you do use it, it is cost effective compared to a gym (at $50+ a month, your erg is paid for in just over a year), and C2's last forever. We just gave away a 20-year old erg that was still working fine and only needed a new chain once). With two of us using it, that worked out to about $20/year per person.
3) About your back: you can definitely hurt your back with bad technique. If at all possible, get instruction from someone in your area--you might find another rower through a local school team, or through the C2 website--and also study the technique information from C2. "Xeno" (you can find him on this chatroom) apparently sells a video that coaches on technique; there may be other DVDs or videos available from competitive rowers. The main thing is to use your legs, not back, for power. With the right technique you'll strengthen some back and stomach muscles.
1) Fitness: It is an excellent workout for days when you are stuck at home/indoors for whatever reason (kids and rain are my primary reasons), as long as you have a spot for it (living room conversation piece, bedroom, balcony, carport and now garage have all worked for us). You can get a good overall workout using videos or burn calories with a stationary bike, but the erg uses an excellent spectrum of muscles and I prefer it. If you have decided on an erg, Concept2 is the only one I would recommend. The funky piston kind are not ergonomic and it's much easier to strain your back and not use your leg muscles with them.
2) Cost: C2's are expensive and a big commitment. However, if you do use it, it is cost effective compared to a gym (at $50+ a month, your erg is paid for in just over a year), and C2's last forever. We just gave away a 20-year old erg that was still working fine and only needed a new chain once). With two of us using it, that worked out to about $20/year per person.
3) About your back: you can definitely hurt your back with bad technique. If at all possible, get instruction from someone in your area--you might find another rower through a local school team, or through the C2 website--and also study the technique information from C2. "Xeno" (you can find him on this chatroom) apparently sells a video that coaches on technique; there may be other DVDs or videos available from competitive rowers. The main thing is to use your legs, not back, for power. With the right technique you'll strengthen some back and stomach muscles.
F45, HW
Feel the best I can, Do the most I can, Thank God
[img]http://www.c2ctc.com/sigs/img1169360601.png[/img]
Feel the best I can, Do the most I can, Thank God
[img]http://www.c2ctc.com/sigs/img1169360601.png[/img]
You'll probably get a lot of replies from those who really like rowing. I love it. But, it's not for everyone. In my mind, the C2 is a bargain as far as fitness equipment, absolutely the best machine for the money. Durable, compact, and works a lot of muscle groups at once. I'm prone to back problems, but have never had soreness from rowing. That said, I would highly recommend trying one out at a gym for a week or so. Maybe someone on this forum knows someone in your area with a unit, if you care to share information that private. I've got two teenage boys, one in fair shape, the other in top form. Both think I'm nuts to row. I've met others who dislike it, and at the public gyms, it seems to be the machine most unused. But, after a year of prodding, my husband, who also needs to loose a lot of weight, just started rowing after a bad knee injury and is sold, although at first he thought it too boring. Music helps him to stay on the unit. If you do decide to try it, spend some time looking around this and other forums for tips and start slowly. Best of luck!
I rowed a year in college, several decades ago, and I liked rowing so it is no surprise that I like the concept2. I have tried other rowing machines and there is no valid comparison ( I have not tried row-perfect but I understand it is much more expensive).
The Concept2 is a professional quality machine used in fitness clubs everywhere, the same fitness clubs that spend several thousand dollara each for treadmills, stair climbers and elliptical machines, that's pretty good company.
I have been using the erg for 7 years now and I have owned my own for 4 years, I have over 10,000,000 meters on my machine and it is as good as the day I bought it.
Fred Dickie
The Concept2 is a professional quality machine used in fitness clubs everywhere, the same fitness clubs that spend several thousand dollara each for treadmills, stair climbers and elliptical machines, that's pretty good company.
I have been using the erg for 7 years now and I have owned my own for 4 years, I have over 10,000,000 meters on my machine and it is as good as the day I bought it.
Fred Dickie
thanks for all the response.
I would love to try one but i cant find one. I was looking at the concept 2 web site and i noticed the YMCA logo. SO i drove to the YMCA near my house. I was going to get a day pass and try it out but they didnt have one!
I guess its just going to come down to my jumping in and buying one. I enjoy going on long kayak paddles in the bay. I have done 14 miles in one day in my kayak so I think i will also enjoy rowing.
To me it makes more sence then a tread mill or stationary bike since it will get my heart rate up as well as working more muscles then just my legs.
Now i just have to talk my wife into letting me spend the money
any more advice would be appreciated
I would love to try one but i cant find one. I was looking at the concept 2 web site and i noticed the YMCA logo. SO i drove to the YMCA near my house. I was going to get a day pass and try it out but they didnt have one!
I guess its just going to come down to my jumping in and buying one. I enjoy going on long kayak paddles in the bay. I have done 14 miles in one day in my kayak so I think i will also enjoy rowing.
To me it makes more sence then a tread mill or stationary bike since it will get my heart rate up as well as working more muscles then just my legs.
Now i just have to talk my wife into letting me spend the money
any more advice would be appreciated
Find-a-rower link
Did you try the "find an indoor rower" link at the bottom of the page on the C2 site? it looks like there are two places listed for Long Island and lots for NYC.
You should be able to find one to try out. You might check with any nearby rowing clubs as well--since you'd be likely to find instruction in technique there as well...
Good luck!
Alissa
You should be able to find one to try out. You might check with any nearby rowing clubs as well--since you'd be likely to find instruction in technique there as well...
Good luck!
Alissa
If you go to member list you see three in long island.
So that gives you two members to PM to ask where they do it.
So that gives you two members to PM to ask where they do it.
I also am new to rowing (Started in January). I had many of the same concerns you are having. I've been a runner for the past 20+ years. Several years ago I got a bulging disk in my lower back and over time my body just told me it was time to stop running. I thought rowing would be a good alternative, because of no pounding/compression/ on the back. However, I didn't want to lay out that kind of money without knowing I was oging to like it. I went to the local Y and got a tour and a free two visit pass. Then they mailed me another one. (I know you tried, but talk to the manager. Nobody buys a car without a test drive, and for what a Y membership costs, you could be driving a car.)
My "test drive" gave me enough of a positive experience that i jumped in and bought a new model d. I've logged about 500K in 3 months and have not had any back pain. And I've lost about 10 lbs.
A couple of places to try to get a used C2 (and I recommend the C2 over all other rowers): row2k.com has a classified section for used equipment. There is almost always used rowers for sale. Also, try e-bay. I've seen that you can get a model C for around $450- 500. and a model D for $700-$750.
The main reason I recommend the C2 is not only because of the quality of the machine, but the website. There are numerous ways to participate in competition through the online community. Right now I am using the virtual team RowPain/RowGain as my main motivator. Just trying to maintain my rank within the team has gotten me on the rower almost every day, and encouraged me for that extra 1000 meters on each row.
Good luck!
My "test drive" gave me enough of a positive experience that i jumped in and bought a new model d. I've logged about 500K in 3 months and have not had any back pain. And I've lost about 10 lbs.
A couple of places to try to get a used C2 (and I recommend the C2 over all other rowers): row2k.com has a classified section for used equipment. There is almost always used rowers for sale. Also, try e-bay. I've seen that you can get a model C for around $450- 500. and a model D for $700-$750.
The main reason I recommend the C2 is not only because of the quality of the machine, but the website. There are numerous ways to participate in competition through the online community. Right now I am using the virtual team RowPain/RowGain as my main motivator. Just trying to maintain my rank within the team has gotten me on the rower almost every day, and encouraged me for that extra 1000 meters on each row.
Good luck!
Thanks for the great info.Mike A wrote:I also am new to rowing (Started in January). I had many of the same concerns you are having. I've been a runner for the past 20+ years. Several years ago I got a bulging disk in my lower back and over time my body just told me it was time to stop running. I thought rowing would be a good alternative, because of no pounding/compression/ on the back. However, I didn't want to lay out that kind of money without knowing I was oging to like it. I went to the local Y and got a tour and a free two visit pass. Then they mailed me another one. (I know you tried, but talk to the manager. Nobody buys a car without a test drive, and for what a Y membership costs, you could be driving a car.)
My "test drive" gave me enough of a positive experience that i jumped in and bought a new model d. I've logged about 500K in 3 months and have not had any back pain. And I've lost about 10 lbs.
A couple of places to try to get a used C2 (and I recommend the C2 over all other rowers): row2k.com has a classified section for used equipment. There is almost always used rowers for sale. Also, try e-bay. I've seen that you can get a model C for around $450- 500. and a model D for $700-$750.
The main reason I recommend the C2 is not only because of the quality of the machine, but the website. There are numerous ways to participate in competition through the online community. Right now I am using the virtual team RowPain/RowGain as my main motivator. Just trying to maintain my rank within the team has gotten me on the rower almost every day, and encouraged me for that extra 1000 meters on each row.
Good luck!
I didnt make myself clear about the YMCA. They would let me get a visiters pass but they did not have a rower. Its a small YMCA and the main feature is the pool. The gym is very small and I guess they just didnt have room for one. Im in the process of saving up money to buy one. I dont want to charge it until i have enough money to pay the bill when it come. Im not a big credit card fan. I have $300 put aside so far. I should have enough in a couple more months. In the mean time I have been trying to cut down on my food intake and get out and exercise when i can. I kayaked 16 miles the other day. It took me about 4 1/2 hours. I had a nice wind at my back going out but that made the 8 mile paddle back to my car tough. I need to lose 60-70 pounds. So having the rower in the house will make it much easier for me to work out.
Andy 99
I'm happy to see that you mentioned food in your last post. Four years ago I got rid of 50 lb. The c2 was my main training form due to injury and it did its part of the job, but the most important is to establish a sensible "food regime". It is this regime that will keep you lean. And it must be sensible, otherwise you won't stick with it.
Your new c2 will help you, but there will be lots of days you won't find time to train. But you will eat on those days.
My best tip. Breakfast
I'm happy to see that you mentioned food in your last post. Four years ago I got rid of 50 lb. The c2 was my main training form due to injury and it did its part of the job, but the most important is to establish a sensible "food regime". It is this regime that will keep you lean. And it must be sensible, otherwise you won't stick with it.
Your new c2 will help you, but there will be lots of days you won't find time to train. But you will eat on those days.
My best tip. Breakfast