Introduce yourself

[ms_122]

Hi all,

I just got my C2 last week and thought I would post an introductory hello.
I am a 45 year old out of shape mom. I have never rowed on land or water before, but when searching around for in-home fitness equipment stumbled on the C2. I was inspired to purchase it in part from the website since I think it offers a wealth of great information.

My goals are to get in shape, lose about 20 pounds (which I had lost and re-gained during a stressful home renovation), and inspire my two daughters to get in shape as well. My 15 year-old is very skeptical, but she is off to China for the semester in a couple of weeks so the little one (age 10) and I plan to surprise her with how buff we are when she returns.

I am thinking of joining the ducks once I think of a good name.

Cheers,

Mary

[DavidA]

Welcome.
Good luck on showing your older daughter your new body.

David

[Laura Ann]

Hi everyone,

I've owned my own Concept2 D for a couple of weeks now, and I thought I'd introduce myself.

I'm a 42-year-old mother of two pre-schoolers who is easing back into serious running after five years of bare-maintenance jogging. Well, I'm trying to be a serious runner again, but I've been plagued by injuries and I'm coming to the realization that perhaps running shouldn't be the center of my exercise program anymore. Hence the erg, which I'd always enjoyed using now and then at the gym. Now, I'm trying to use it the right way.

Thanks for all the helpful posts. This forum has helped me get up and rowing!

Best,

Laura

[passionpansy]

Hello. I am new to the world of rowing. My partner just purchased a C2 and..there it is...sitting as part of the furniture in my livingroom. I have ventured to take it for a "spin" 3 times now-most recently rowing a set amount of 2000M. Probably a drop in the bucket for most of you, but i'm 6 weeks post-op from hernia surgery and although i'm dying to drop pounds, i must not over do it! My partner is a staunch C2 supporter, but after each workout, my lower back bothers me when i'm sleeping at night. I've tried all the diets, many gyms over the years...( 47yrs old) and am interested in REAL WOMEN stories of success with C2. I don't want to give up on it....but don't feel like i'm giving it my all with enough knowledge. Anyone have any inspirational stories out there?
B

[atlantaz3]

Hi I'm from Atlanta, GA if you couldn't tell from the screen name. I joined my buildings health club in 08 and was introduced to the Concept 2 rower. I then met a very nice English gentlemen who told me about this site and where to find more information. I just purchased a C model off Craig's list three days ago and I am very excited to have my own rowing machine! I rowed an hour on Sunday 30 minutes Monday and 30 minutes tonight. Yes I'm sore. This is in addition to running a mile or so in the mornings and switching my lunch row to the weight machines. I'm taking tomorrow off! I'm sure I will adjust soon and hopeful of losing about 15 pounds over the next month or so.
My funny note - my tush falls asleep at the 26 - 28 minute mark. I haven't found a permanent home for the rower yet and it's next to my good will stack. In the good will stack was the bathroom fluffies that I just replaced. I looked at the toilet seat cover and though it should fit and be soft! Worked like a charm - now I'm going to go buy a nice new fluffy cover for my seat! Yes I saw the stick on pad from this site and was thinking about buying I think I like my idea better.
So let me know if this is an original idea and I'm looking forward to reading more in this forum. I need all the help I can get.
Atlantaz3

[Nomugie]

Sorry for the delayed responses,

B, stick with it. I remember when I first started I couldn't erg for more than 15' without my back being on fire--mostly my lower traps. I didn't push it too hard, and eventually I started doing 30' regularly. I am now able to row for a couple of hours. I choose not to, but I can. I also used it to lose weight, as a full body workout, I think it gives you the most bang for your caloric expenditure. Don't forget to stretch your chest muscles (seems contradictory, but it will help your back). Clasp your hands behind your back for 30"-1'. That will help.

Atlantaz, I love the toilet seat cover idea! How brilliant. Just be careful it doesn't get stuck on the rollers. Nothing to horrible will happen, but it is a little disconcerting when you come to a dead stop in the middle of a stroke. Once you explore the site you will see a wide variety of erg modifications!

Good luck both you with your weight loss goals! Don't be shy around here...feel free to ask questions.

Enjoy.

Emily

[Witters]

Hi all!

Just wanted to introduce myself as I joined the Ducks today. I am a 43 year old mum on a weight loss drive. Did well approx 5 years ago when I shed 52lbs! Just started to put on a little again this year so time to stop it before it gets out of control! Was introduced to Concept 2 Rowers at the gym a couple of years ago and only really used for a short while as nothing more than a warm up for the rest of my gym programme, but enjoyed it quite a lot. Started an interactive weight loss programme from Concept 2 on 12th June 2010. Can only row down at my local gym as I don't have a machine of my own, but will do my best to add some metres for the Ducks from my side of the pond (UK) Any hints/tips/motivation ideas would be more than welcome
Witters

[genagoodrow]

Hi all!

Looks like a lot of us newbies, great! I bought my C-2 in a fit about 9 months ago. I was recovering from a running injury to both ankles and finally accepted that marathon running wasn't going to work for my body. Accepting that I was never going to run was really hard. I didn't take to the C-2 right away. Things clicked 3 weeks ago, and I've been rowing about 6 x a week since then. Totally smitten now! Just hoping to improve form and get fast.

Look forward to chatting with you all!

Gena

[kathy65]

Hi All,

My name is Kathy and I am a very overweight, unfit, 45 yr old stay-at-home-mum from the Illawarra - NSW Australia.

As a favour for a friend, I am doing 2 sessions a week with her personal trainer to keep the spot open for her while she is on 3 months holidays.

Turns out his speciality is Indoor Rowing, and I am hooked!

I started 2 weeks ago, and he is now training me for the Australian Nationals in October in Melbourne, Yep - totally bizarre, zero to competitive in 3 months - but I love a challenge. Wonderful man that he is, is training me 4 to 5 days a week to get me prepared. He has even given me a plan to follow when he is away competing in his own competitions.

I had to give up all competitive sport when I was struck down with vision problems, so this is the answer to my wildest dreams - a sport that I can participate in, be competitive in, and not be reliant on my vision too much.

I don't have a machine at home, but that may change depending how I go over the next 3 months.

Is there anyone else from Australia here?

[slwiser]

I went to the Concept 2 web site and put into their ranking search function for 2k and found 18 women and over 100 men from Australia. I think there are a few people from Australia doing the Concept 2....

[Citroen]

I went to the Concept 2 web site and put into their ranking search function for 2k and found 18 women and over 100 men from Australia. I think there are a few people from Australia doing the Concept 2....

Quite a few Aussies turn up on http://concept2.co.uk/forum rather than here.

[suethomas40]

Hi! I'm Sue and my Concept2 D arrived Monday. I'm 50 years old and really need a low impact aerobic acitivity option that I can continue through the Minnesota winters and rowing seems to be the perfect solution. Since the the rower arrived my daughter has also decided it seems like a fun way to get in a bit more of a workout every day and so she's signed on as the second user on the machine. I'm loving it and am even more happy about my choice since my daughter is using it as well.

[Leslie]

Hello, I'm 48 and live in Arizona. I had the choice between taking a vacation this fall or buying a Concept 2 and I guess you can figure out which choice won.

I have rowed at the gym in years past, and I loved it. I was looking for something low impact because my knee was giving me fits on the treadmill. I have vision problems, so I have to workout indoors. I also have back problems and need to focus on strengthening that.

[ukalady]

I'm 53 and got a Concept2 rower last week. My goal is improving my overall fitness and weight loss (until I get down about 11 pounds, then it's weight maintenance).

I have *two* frozen shoulders and at PT they have a rower they had me work on strictly for maintaining some shoulder flexibility while in the process of "unfreezing." Since it looks as if it'll be another 9 or 10 months, I'm up for anything that will help reduce the pain and keep me healthy during this time. Hence the Concept2 purchase.

I've studied the videos and drawings interminably (I'm one of those who like to do things "the right way") so I hope I have the right rowing technique. I was surprised to input my first one-hour row the other day and find it was a "rank" piece (it added that on the database entry); now I want to do better on my next one-hour (which is tomorrow). I guess that also shows me as mildly competitive--but typically more internally-driven than others-oriented.

I'm working on an eight-week weight loss plan customized over on the companion UK rowing website. After that, I'm open to any suggestions for goals/plans. Do you have any?

We have no television (by choice, since 1978) so I listen to old time radio shows I have on my iPod while I row. What do the rest of you do to pass time while rowing?

[Lindawlek]

Hi - Just a short note to introduce myself, I am so excited, my machine is on it's way to me (model E) and will arrive on Wednesday! I have wanted one of these for at least 5 years now and can hardly wait to get it and to get back on track with exercise!
I am 50, married, work full time, no kids, have two German Shepherds that keep me pretty busy....so my next challenge is to try to figure out whether I'm going to get up before my usual 5:00 AM wakeup to row or if I'll try to fit it in after work?
Any suggestions for what works better for you?
I'm also wondering if anyone is using padded shorts (my only fear is that hard seat!)
Any and all beginner tips are welcome!
Linda