New to rowing

[Goodthrust]

OK.. My Concept2 D will be delivered Monday. I'm new to the rowing circuit and am looking for some tips for beginners. Eventually I would like to start rowing competitive... I'm 43 years old 6'7" and weigh 230. Any thought on how to approach training? How about software? Which program should I use regardless of cost??

[jamesg]

To start with, take it easy, especially if you've never rowed before. Keep the rating (strokes per minute) low, say 18-20, the drag factor low (damper at 2 - 3), and pull long quick strokes with slow recovery, relaxing every muscle that is not pulling.

30 minutes a day for a few months, at HR between UT2 and UT1, will get you on your way.

Some videos:
http://www.concept2.com/indoor-rowers/t ... que-videos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pf84O5cTWY4

Warm-up is best done by using a technical drill as in the C2 video: pulling first with arms only for a minute or so, then add some swing, then start to lift the legs, after the swing forward. Then gradually increase length until you see your target Watts and rating.

[mardix]

How about software? Which program should I use regardless of cost??

RowPro may be of interest...

http://www.digitalrowing.com/

[Goodthrust]

Thanks all... Is it good to do more than 30 minutes to start out with??

[hjs]

OK.. My Concept2 D will be delivered Monday. I'm new to the rowing circuit and am looking for some tips for beginners. Eventually I would like to start rowing competitive... I'm 43 years old 6'7" and weigh 230. Any thought on how to approach training? How about software? Which program should I use regardless of cost??

What do you want, you have a good build for erging. Is it for fitness, or would you like it as a sport.

[Goodthrust]

OK.. My Concept2 D will be delivered Monday. I'm new to the rowing circuit and am looking for some tips for beginners. Eventually I would like to start rowing competitive... I'm 43 years old 6'7" and weigh 230. Any thought on how to approach training? How about software? Which program should I use regardless of cost??

What do you want, you have a good build for erging. Is it for fitness, or would you like it as a sport.

Both... I tend to work harder at something when its competitive but most of all I want to get some decent exercise in. I've used rowers before for cardio and I've loved them. All of them were pretty much junk and I was too tall for one of them. But I really enjoyed the workout.. I'm at a point in my life also where the strain of running or riding a bike is just killing my hips and back. Also lots of basketball in my younger days...

[hjs]

OK.. My Concept2 D will be delivered Monday. I'm new to the rowing circuit and am looking for some tips for beginners. Eventually I would like to start rowing competitive... I'm 43 years old 6'7" and weigh 230. Any thought on how to approach training? How about software? Which program should I use regardless of cost??

What do you want, you have a good build for erging. Is it for fitness, or would you like it as a sport.

Both... I tend to work harder at something when its competitive but most of all I want to get some decent exercise in. I've used rowers before for cardio and I've loved them. All of them were pretty much junk and I was too tall for one of them. But I really enjoyed the workout.. I'm at a point in my life also where the strain of running or riding a bike is just killing my hips and back. Also lots of basketball in my younger days...

You could read the pete plan, and or the wolverine plan. The latter is more complex, but reading them gives you lots of info.
Also have a look at the ctc. Www.c2ctc.com.
Google the rest.

In general, erging needs some technique, use a full long stroke, use a not to high drag, damper, search for drag.
Rowing is a power endurance sport, you need meters but mostly at lower ratings 18/24 to build both a strong stroke and endurance.
Take time to get info in, this helps preventing errors. Like I saidmyou seem to be suited to fo well, erging is also age friendly

[danielcccook]

Wow, you have an awesome physiological advantage already for rowing. Would be interesting to see if you need to order the extra long slide though.

I like rowpro as mentioned above ^

The first 2 weeks of any plan are strictly technique oriented workouts, and they have a little animation that has perfect form on it. Just set up a laptop to it, and make your plan and you'll be well on your way. Use a mirror for your workouts to see your technique, and keep the damper setting down <3/10 until your technique is good. Stretch the dickens out of your legs, concept 2's webpage has a good series of 9 stretches that I find help a lot for rowing (and squating at the gym for that matter).