Exercise ideas to match the rowing 'high'

[northstar]

I use the erg at my local Y during the long winter months when I'm not as inclined to exercise outside. Now that the warmer weather is here I'll be cancelling my membership and wont have access to an erg I find I really miss the overall body fitness and that awesome rowing 'high'.

Any suggestions for workouts that I can try now (In the winter, I usually erg for 30-45 mins, 5X per week (intervals and steady state).
During the warmer months I'm mainly out on my inline skates and my road bike.
Any suggestions? Thanks

[Cyclist2]

How about rowing on the water? A little tougher, logistics-wise, than hopping on a bike or strapping on skates, but being out on the water the rowing "high" is even better! If possible, find a boathouse and check it out, you won't regret it!

[northstar]

How about rowing on the water? A little tougher, logistics-wise, than hopping on a bike or strapping on skates, but being out on the water the rowing "high" is even better! If possible, find a boathouse and check it out, you won't regret it!

Hi Cyclist2, thanks for your input. Yes, I'm sure being outside on the water must be great and I plan on trying some on-water rowing this summer. I've been erging for 10 years now but have never done anything out on the water. Dont know if I want to join a club as I'm pretty busy with other stuff but I'll at least try a 'learn to row' session.
I wonder if anyone has any workout plans for cycling or inline skating that make them feel as 'good' as rowing does......or am I just biased!

[Dreadnought]

that awesome rowing 'high'.

Thanks

I've never experienced that. The C2 is more painfull than any other activity. I do it for the overall benefit to complement my running, cycling, and swimming.

It is one of the best overall workouts, but I really can't say that I enjoy it.
Am I missing something?

[Atorrante]

that awesome rowing 'high'.

Thanks

I've never experienced that. The C2 is more painfull than any other activity. I do it for the overall benefit to complement my running, cycling, and swimming.

It is one of the best overall workouts, but I really can't say that I enjoy it.
Am I missing something?

The high came after doing the workout, not during.

[Montanaandy]

The C2 is more painfull than any other activity...Am I missing something?

Rowing is a strenuous form of exercise no doubt about it but painful? If it is painful for you to row then there is something wrong. Are you certain that your technique is correct?

I often feel wiped out after a 10K+ session but I am not in pain during the exercise. Even when I used to row for time at short distances (500M, 2K 5K) and would fly and die I would experience discomfort (going anerobic) but not pain. The only time that I have experienced "pain" while rowing is when I have pulled a muscle (shoulder blade area) because I am getting over a cold or illness. I just throttle it back to the point where I am comfortable.

Montanaandy

[Dreadnought]

The C2 is more painfull than any other activity...Am I missing something?

Rowing is a strenuous form of exercise no doubt about it but painful? If it is painful for you to row then there is something wrong. Are you certain that your technique is correct?

I suggest you look at the definition of "painful", where "pain" is used in the figurative sense to denote effort or exertion:
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/painful

And no, there is nothing wrong with my technique, as evaluated by the coach at our local Rowing Club.

[luckylindy]

I'm a brand new rower (since last week), and have been surprised that I've gotten what I've always called "a runner's high" each time I've used it. Running is the only other endurance sport where I've experienced a high before - never did with swimming, skiing, or biking. It's a great feeling to get finished a workout and just feel FANTASTIC, even if you cannot walk.