Concept2 Forum

After trying the C2 for 2 weeks at the gym, I became convinced that this was what I had been looking for to get into shape and lose weight. So I ordered a model D with a PM4 monitor and it arrived yesterday. I did my first workout with it this morning. I have a few questions:

I am 73 years old, 5'8" tall and weigh 100 Kg . I have already lost almost 4 kg in the past 2 weeks at the gym doing a 4 day a week program that I set up with the interactive tool. My maximum heart rate (220 - 73) is 147 and my resting pulse is 60. While rowing at a reasonable pace (I have gone up to 40 minutes at a time) my pulse is between 120 and 128. Is this too high for an MHR of 147 or just right for a heart rate reserve of about 90? I am at UT2 which suggests 50-70% of MHR.

Also, I notice that when I push back at the start of a stroke, I don't feel real resistance until I am leaning back and pulling with my arms. Am I really getting much help from my legs? Is this normal? I noticed this at the gym and on my new machine.

Thanks.

Doc

Doc wrote: I am 73 years old, 5'8" tall and weigh 100 Kg . I have already lost almost 4 kg in the past 2 weeks at the gym doing a 4 day a week program that I set up with the interactive tool. My maximum heart rate (220 - 73) is 147 and my resting pulse is 60. While rowing at a reasonable pace (I have gone up to 40 minutes at a time) my pulse is between 120 and 128. Is this too high for an MHR of 147 or just right for a heart rate reserve of about 90? I am at UT2 which suggests 50-70% of MHR.

220-age isn't hard and fast. It's an approximation that doesn't work for everybody (it's off by more than 30bpm for me). So you may want to ditch the HR monitor and go by how it feels. Use the HR data after you've finished to see how you're doing but don't use it to restrict your performance.

My 83yr old friend Gordon did a 2K under nine minutes at BIRC last year, he doesn't use a HR monitor.

Doc wrote: Also, I notice that when I push back at the start of a stroke, I don't feel real resistance until I am leaning back and pulling with my arms. Am I really getting much help from my legs? Is this normal? I noticed this at the gym and on my new machine.

Where do you have that lever on the side of the machine set. If you feel like there's no pull then you may need to move it up a notch or two. Gordon rows on a much higher drag than I do, because he's always done it that way and it works better for long slower strokes. Remember that rowing isn't an arms-only sport, most of the power should come from your legs.

Technique is most of rowing. So search on here for the multitude of technique threads. There's some good videos on YouTube and on http://concept2.co.uk that demostrate good technique.

Citroen wrote: 220-age isn't hard and fast. It's an approximation that doesn't work for everybody (it's off by more than 30bpm for me). So you may want to ditch the HR monitor and go by how it feels. Use the HR data after you've finished to see how you're doing but don't use it to restrict your performance.

My 83yr old friend Gordon did a 2K under nine minutes at BIRC last year, he doesn't use a HR monitor.

Where do you have that lever on the side of the machine set. If you feel like there's no pull then you may need to move it up a notch or two. Gordon rows on a much higher drag than I do, because he's always done it that way and it works better for long slower strokes. Remember that rowing isn't an arms-only sport, most of the power should come from your legs.

Many thanks for your comments. I did raise the side lever to six and that seems to put more drag on early in the stroke. I am achieving a heart rate of about 126 for most of my workout, which would be 85% of the heart rate reserve. I break out into a sweat but don't really feel any distress, so I guess the 220-age was an underestimate in my case. I just don't want to risk a heart attack. I think I'll keep to that target heart rate and hope to see the amount of effort expended to achieve that increase as I become more fit.

Doc

I wonder if you also feel no resistance until your arms because you are shooting your rear out ahead of the stroke- a mistake that took me a while to figure out when I first got my C2.

I am up to week 6 of the interactive weight loss plan. I have done sessions this week of 2X10, 2 x 11, 2 x 12 each at UT1 and I'll do 3 more. Then I have to take a 2 week break visiting my brother-in-law on Maui. We'll be snorkeling and hiking.

Two questions: First, I'm finding it tough to sustain UT1 - I get very short of breath. Should I back down a level before pushing so hard? Second, how should I resume the workouts when I get back? Again, should I back down 1 or two levels?

Thanks. I've lost about 10 pounds so far, but I seem to have plateaued. Probably because I'm being less meticulous with watching the calorie intake.
I can't get too casual about the intake.

Thanks for everyone's help.

Doc