Why Is Rowing The Best Sport?

[[old] SlugButt]

<br />1. Dry heaves are great for strenghtening stomach muscles<br />2. Who needs heroin when a really good oxygen debt is such a trip?<br />3. On a more serious note, there's nothing like the feeling of really good sculling or rowing and the sound of the boat running out under you.<br />4. To my way of thinking, it's a very honest and pure sport. There are no tricks or shortcuts and a there is a direct relationship between what you put into it and what you get out of it in terms of results and satisfaction.<br />5. The culture of rowing and sculling is typically one of mutual respect and camraderie promoted by a shared understanding of the sport and its demands (further amplified by being in a team boat).<br />6. I scull in Maine and depending on where I go will see eagles, have loons sing to me while I'm sculling, etc. Life is pretty good.

[[old] SimonB]

Indoor rowing is the best sport because....<br /><br />It allows me time to count the cobwebs in the rowing room each and every day...again and again.. and on... and onnnnnnnnnn........<br /><br />Thank goodess for DVD's !!!<br />

[[old] FrankJ]

For me rowing is the best sport because I get a "rowers high" about 8 to 10 minutes into a row. I've actually used this when I had an 11 year old root canal go bad about a year ago. Went to my dentist who said sorry you need an endodontist. Had to wait about 24 hours before I could get an appointment so the dentist gave me some pills for the pain. They flat didn't work. The side of my face was in so much pain that I got on my erg just to have some diversion. To my surprise the pain totally disappeared about 10 minutes into the row and stayed away for about 40 minutes to an hour. This allowed me to survive the next 24 hours without too much discomfort except that my bottom was getting a little sore from rowing about 40K that day in may 10 to 12 minute sessions.<br /><br />Have you had your rowing high today.<br /><br />Frank

[[old] ebolton]

You're not likely to be hit by a car. Biggest advantage I can see over cycling.<br /><br />Ed

[[old] Carl Henrik]

Indoor rowing is good because I don't get chased by mad lauhing gulls and angry swan mothers like on water

[[old] Jon Goodall]

Hywel Davies (multi X-training champion) pointed out to me that one's can spend loads on bikes to help them go a bit faster but you can't do that with the erg. It's the same piece of kit for everyone!!<br /><br />It was the ranking lists that really got me involved, and races like BIRC & Crash-B that made me feel a part of something big.<br /><br />That and seeing nice looking girls in lycra at races <br /><br />Jon<br />

[[old] remador]

Adding to what people allready said, I think rowing is probably one of the - if not the most - greatest mental-endurance builders around. On the other hand, the permanent fight against yourself may drive you into obsession! <br /><br />AM<br /><br />PS: To me, single-sculling is heaven on earth; the top of the sports. Anyone who has experienced a flat water, sunny day, in direct contact with nature, sculling alone - knows what I am talking about (sorry for such a 'biased', subjective, opinion, but...).<br /><br />AM

[[old] pamcnm]

As others have mentioned, it's a great low-impact, total body workout. That efficiency does have a certain appeal to me, but I think what has really got me hooked is that I find the rhythm of working out on the erg soothing and meditative in it's own right, even when working hard. I think I've reached a point where I am experiencing endorphin release with rowing. That hasn't happened to me with any other sport or exercise. I enjoy the outdoors, and first started rowing to cross train for hiking and kayaking. Working out on the erg, is the only indoor exercise/workout that I have found intrinsically rewarding enough to commit to long-term. Of course I had to because I got addicted!<br /><br />It also has the best online community and support system, to keep all levels of rowers inspired and motivated! I completed the 200,000K Holiday Challenge this year, and just finished the Lake Champlain game yesterday. It's amazing what some of us will do for a t-shirt!<br /> <br />

[[old] grimsby1]

it lets you push yourself more than anyother sport, and it shows you how strong and tough you are<br /><br />and by the way easyoars, by low impact he means that it doesn't put a high amount of impact or strain on the joints (for example the way running does on knees).<br />

[[old] Canoeist]

<!--QuoteBegin-easyoars+Feb 18 2005, 03:57 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(easyoars @ Feb 18 2005, 03:57 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->While rowing is definitely an exercise for all parts of the body, could you please explain "low impact"? I feel pooped rowing a certain distance, when compared with running the same distance. <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />I injured my ankle a few days ago and could barely walk. But I was able to sit down on the erg and row at a relatively fast pace (1:53) for 80 minutes with no pain in my ankle. I certainly couldn't have had such a good cardio workout by attempting to run. The pressure on my ankle joint was "low impact" versus running.<br /><br />Regards,<br /><br />Paul Flack

[[old] H33]

1. Provides an excellent workout on many muscle groups.<br />2. Increases strength AND endurance in many areas.<br />3. Cost is low, once you buy the rower you are pretty much set.<br />4. Has low impact on joints, great for people who can't run.<br />5. Improves posture.<br />6. Strengthens back, I haven't had a backache since I started.<br />7. Increases flexibility.<br />8. Mental toughness, it requires effort in the legs, back and arms.<br />9. With computer programs rowing is a very pleasant visual effect.<br />10. Weight loss is substantial.<br /><br />I had an ugly cold coming and after 4 days of rowing it never materialized, in my old condition I would have been quite sick.

[[old] michael]

<!--QuoteBegin-H33+Feb 22 2005, 10:59 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(H33 @ Feb 22 2005, 10:59 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->1.  Provides an excellent workout on many muscle groups.<br />2.  Increases strength AND endurance in many areas.<br />3.  Cost is low, once you buy the rower you are pretty much set.<br />4.  Has low impact on joints, great for people who can't run.<br />5.  Improves posture.<br />6.  Strengthens back, I haven't had a backache since I started.<br />7.  Increases flexibility.<br />8.  Mental toughness, it requires effort in the legs, back and arms.<br />9.  With computer programs rowing is a very pleasant visual effect.<br />10.  Weight loss is substantial.<br /><br />I had an ugly cold coming and after 4 days of rowing it never materialized, in my old condition I would have been quite sick. <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />That last comment about the cold belongs in your top ten! I had the same results this year, missed just one work day so far due to the cold/flu season. Other years when I was not erging I suffered significantly more sick days. The C2 rower can save you money where doctor visits and medications are concerned--to say nothing of sparing you much of the misery of dealing with cold symptoms. <br /><br />I can attest to the back strengthening benefit as well. I've not had anywhere near the lower back pain problems when cycling and walking were my main fitness venues.

[[old] Niall]

I'm not going to mention any of the benefits of fitness and low impact workouts as they've all been mention already. However, I'd like to add the fact that due to it's Open competition format, you get to compete against/with Olympic/World Champions. How inspiring is that?!<br /><br />I also feel the overall indoor rowing community is second to none (okay, slightly biased) but, again, where else can you get support and advice from elite athletes of the sport.

[[old] Mark Keating]

<!--QuoteBegin-neilb+Feb 19 2005, 03:44 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(neilb @ Feb 19 2005, 03:44 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin--><!--QuoteBegin-Mark Keating+Feb 19 2005, 09:24 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(Mark Keating @ Feb 19 2005, 09:24 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Indoor rowing is the best sport because it is the only one that can be performed in a crowded garage, <br />Mark <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Mark,<br /><br />Is this the first recorded time that someone doing indoor rowing training has attracted a capacity crowd? <br /> </td></tr></table><br />I don't know neil, but I am sure that's the only crowd I will ever attract. Although I must admit I would garner a fair bit of attention when I get all decked out in my long johns, fur hat, fleece vest and skidoo mitts. <br /><br />Mark

[[old] gorow9]

First off you don't need a lot of hand-eye coordination... don't have that.<br /><br />Second, you're on the water.<br /><br />Third, it doesn't directly envolve running... directly being key<br /><br />~Sara