At 65, I bought a Concept 2 to keep in shape. I had used this machine in my 40s (or one like it) to a lose a lot of weight, which I have kept off for the most part, as I currently weigh 72 kilos and am 173.75cm (5'9.5") tall. I played and coached lacrosse actively until a few months ago when my osteoarthritis in a hip got the best of me and I decided to take up this thing to keep in shape. I sit at a desk for most of the work day and write!
I am not good at asking for help taking instructions until I find out how stupid i really am. So, can someone tell me if what I am doing is helpful or harmful or useless, and suggest an alternative? Thanks so much.
I row 6/7 days. I row for a half hour, now, continously. I am at the point where I row about 6400m during this period, at stroke counts between 27-30. My heartbeat at rest is 60. My heartbeat after 15 minutes is 120 and peaks around 132, but this peak has been coming down since I started a month ago. (All my rates have been coming down). My appetite has increased. My weight has not been changing, but I feel better physically and emotionally.
Where do I go from here?
One problem: this is really boring even when i watch TV.
What is goint to happen as a result of this?
Can't speak to your question as to what you're doing wrong. However, as to the "boring" problem:
Yes, with all the wonderful things regular exercise provides--erging is pretty boring. I've discovered RowPro. I certainly don't need to train for racing, but its ability to let you "compete" against yourself with "competitors" consisting of your former rows you've saved, or downloaded rows from BIRC's and CRASH-B's, or pace boats you set up all provide lots of things to make your sessions more fun. I suspect I'll get around to trying some on-line racing at some point. Anyway, it's gotten me through the Holiday Challenge 200km, and I think it's worth the fairly hefty price tag.
Terry
Yes, with all the wonderful things regular exercise provides--erging is pretty boring. I've discovered RowPro. I certainly don't need to train for racing, but its ability to let you "compete" against yourself with "competitors" consisting of your former rows you've saved, or downloaded rows from BIRC's and CRASH-B's, or pace boats you set up all provide lots of things to make your sessions more fun. I suspect I'll get around to trying some on-line racing at some point. Anyway, it's gotten me through the Holiday Challenge 200km, and I think it's worth the fairly hefty price tag.
Terry
79 yrs. old; inactive for about five years; trying to re-start! 8 million meter club.
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johnlvs2run
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Re: What is goint to happen as a result of this?
Your rowing is fine, certainly helpful, and not useless.Frihed89 wrote:I played and coached lacrosse actively until a few months ago when my osteoarthritis in a hip got the best of me and I decided to take up this thing to keep in shape. I sit at a desk for most of the work day and write!
can someone tell me if what I am doing is helpful or harmful or useless, and suggest an alternative? Thanks so much.
My suggestion for your hips and bones is to build a stand to go on the top of your desk, to raise the surface to the height of your elbows, so you can stand while writing and working. I did this at the first of the year and it's great. This helps to keep the body in shape, gives greater mobility, and helps to keep you from wasting away.
Excitement and enthusiasm, peacefulness vs boredom is a matter of perspective. I've twice done over 100km in a day on the erg, 465km in a week and a million meters in 19 days. The key is to space out while you're rowing, and relax, like you're laying on a beach enjoying the sunshine, taking a hike in the mountains, thinking of things you're going to do the rest of the week, or just relaxing, doing nothing else while you're rowing. I like to focus on the smooth rhythmicity of the movements.
bikeerg 75 5'8" 155# - 18.5 - 51.9 - 568 - 1:52.7 - 8:03.8 - 20:13.1 - 14620 - 40:58.7 - 28855 - 1:23:48.0
rowerg 56-58 5'8.5" 143# - 1:39.6 - 3:35.6 - 7:24.0 - 18:57.4 - 22:49.9 - 7793 - 38:44.7 - 1:22:48.9 - 2:58:46.2
rowerg 56-58 5'8.5" 143# - 1:39.6 - 3:35.6 - 7:24.0 - 18:57.4 - 22:49.9 - 7793 - 38:44.7 - 1:22:48.9 - 2:58:46.2
Where do I go from here?
The next (and essential) step is to improve technique. You are already getting fit, as your drop in HR shows, but the max level and 6400m/30' say you're not working very hard, so could do more, if you want to.
You'll work harder by emulating this young lady as to stroke length and posture:
http://www.ara-rowing.org/rowing-stroke
Note she pulls full length, back straight, with shins vertical at the catch and probably knocks spots off most of us. Her rating will have been around 20, but once you have a good solid stroke in place, you adjust the rating to reach the CV level and HR you want to work at. It won't be boring.
The next (and essential) step is to improve technique. You are already getting fit, as your drop in HR shows, but the max level and 6400m/30' say you're not working very hard, so could do more, if you want to.
You'll work harder by emulating this young lady as to stroke length and posture:
http://www.ara-rowing.org/rowing-stroke
Note she pulls full length, back straight, with shins vertical at the catch and probably knocks spots off most of us. Her rating will have been around 20, but once you have a good solid stroke in place, you adjust the rating to reach the CV level and HR you want to work at. It won't be boring.
08-1940, 179cm, 75kg post-op (3 bp).
Thanks James, You're right. I have rowed skiffs and dories and just about everything else except a skull pretty much all my life. Now, it's my hips. I can't go as far forward as the young lady and so I can't get the snap with my legs. But i will try harder.
You're right, though. I am pretty tired after the 6400!
You're right, though. I am pretty tired after the 6400!