What Percentage Of Joggers Should Row

[[old] Xeno]

Every morning I drive the children to school and we pass a bike path next to the Back Bay here in Newport Beach. It is extremely hard for me not to stop the car and hand out Iron Oarsman business cards to individuals who should not be running. In my humble opinion there are only VERY few people who should be running for exercise. Some people seem to be running because they suddenly woke up and had great fear of the future. Jokingly I was planning to install a PA system under the hood of our van and thus reason with them while driving by.

[[old] joanvb]

Good idea, Xeno....I think you should do it. If not YOU, then who? Or, at least give cards to all the converts at your gym that you've enlightened, so THEY can spread the word! <br />Anyone who has participated in the workouts at your gym, with the innovative exercises you lead on the erg (one arm, one leg, abs, etc.), plus the motivating rowing exercises, sprinkled with your inspirational anecdotes of rowers/non-rowers young and old, would HAVE to agree with you...(and I LIKE to run!) <br /><br />Joan

[[old] Janice]

Interesting idea, but I think I'd rather jog along a beach in the California sunshine than sit on a rowing machine inside.

[[old] joanvb]

Good point, Janice. Particularly since it was about 85 degrees here today. On the other hand, if one lives near the Iron Oarsman in Southern California, one could do both! Joan

[[old] DavidW]

Humans are designed for running, so I don't see the problem with running for exercise provided you take it slow at first, and give your joints time to adapt.

[[old] Yukon John]

I think anything (within reason) that people do to try and keep themselves fit should be encouraged. There are different reasons why people choose their activity. I enjoy running out on trails and being close to nature at the same time I enjoy pushing myself in a running race similar to pushing on the erg. There may be physiological reasons why some people would be better off not running,( i.e. heavy people who don't have access to soft trails.) But hey, different strokes for different folks!

[[old] DavidW]

Xeno, don't get me wrong from my last post, there are loads of people who could benefit from erging but who don't realise how good it is. Making more people aware that there is an alternative to running/cycling would not be a bad thing.

[[old] Xeno]

<!--QuoteBegin-DavidW+Oct 31 2005, 05:48 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(DavidW @ Oct 31 2005, 05:48 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Xeno, don't get me wrong from my last post, there are loads of people who could benefit from erging but who don't realise how good it is.  Making more people aware that there is an alternative to running/cycling would not be a bad thing. <br /> </td></tr></table><br />No worries David

[[old] PaulS]

No need to run, unless there is something larger and scarier in pursuit. <br /><br />Erging is just about as efficient as you can get for use of time to gain fitness, time is something we all seem to want more of. I prefer to get out in an actual boat, but it adds greatly to the total time requirement so generally gets reserved for the days that have a bit more free time. Oh, and there is the weather element, which is easily handled on the Erg.<br /><br />I'm a big fan of overall fitness, so won't completely knock running, if you find it helpful, go ahead, but don't whine to me when you get hurt. And face it, with teh price of shoes these days, I'd wager that the Erg is far more cost effective.

[[old] Roland Baltutis]

I chose 25% because I believe you are usually better off outside with fresh air and changing scenery. If you wear correct running shoes and avoid running on hard surfaces you should be OK. However there are a number of overweight, large frame people or even big boob women that would be more comfortable or better off on the erg.<br /><br />Having said that though, not everyone has access to an excellent rowing coach like Xeno and could encounter injury problems on the erg too.<br /><br />Xeno, does your erg studio have all its ergs indoors or do you have the option of erging outside where there is a bit more air movement?<br /><br />Xeno, I also enjoy reading all your articles in Rowing MagOZine. Your last article "How I became a collegiate rower in the USA", was excellent reading. I'm looking forward to reading more of your articles in that magazine and hopefully some on sculling. I just bought a new latest technology racing scull and would be interested to read your tips on successful sculling.<br /><br />Roland Baltutis<br />

[[old] FrancoisA]

<!--QuoteBegin-PaulS+Nov 1 2005, 01:23 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(PaulS @ Nov 1 2005, 01:23 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->No need to run, unless there is something larger and scarier in pursuit.  <br /><br />Erging is just about as efficient as you can get for use of time to gain fitness...  And face it, with the price of shoes these days, I'd wager that the Erg is far more cost effective.  <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br />Not only erging is as efficient for your cardio, but one also gains strength. Plus, lets face it, rowers look better than long distance runners <br />As far as cost is concerned, swimming is also inexpensive: a $25 polyester swim suit (for men) last at least 200 hours!

[[old] gw1]

<!--QuoteBegin--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Humans are designed for running, so I don't see the problem with running for exercise provided you take it slow at first, and give your joints time to adapt. </td></tr></table><br /><br />Yes, but when humans were designed they were not carting around all the extra baggage that most do today!!

[[old] John Rupp]

Roland,<br /><br />You don't want to take the erg outside in Los Angeles. <br /><br />I agree that rowing is better exercise for the generally heavy out of shape population these days. <br /><br />Running would be hard for those carrying around a lot of excess weight.<br /><br />Walking is probably much better then rowing for those who are out of shape though.<br /><br />Then once a person is used to walking they can mix walking and running to keep getting more used to the exercise.

[[old] FrancoisA]

<!--QuoteBegin-gw1+Nov 1 2005, 02:40 AM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(gw1 @ Nov 1 2005, 02:40 AM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin--><!--QuoteBegin--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Humans are designed for running, so I don't see the problem with running for exercise provided you take it slow at first, and give your joints time to adapt. </td></tr></table><br /><br />Yes, but when humans were designed they were not carting around all the extra baggage that most do today!! <br /> </td></tr></table><br />And they were not running tens of kilometres at a time on concrete.<br />Just look at the number of books and articles published on treating running injuries.

[[old] John Rupp]

<!--QuoteBegin-FrancoisA+Oct 31 2005, 07:38 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(FrancoisA @ Oct 31 2005, 07:38 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->lets face it, rowers look better than long distance runners [right] </td></tr></table><br /><br />I know you meant that as a joke, which it is, however all anyone needs to do is go to any running or triathlon race and see all the gorgeous women at them.<br />