Erging Environment

[mattflint49]

Hey guys,

This is really weird for me and I don't know why but today I did a 10 minute piece and literally got to 2010 metres - absolutely pathetic. But, when I erg just by myself, without even anyone in the room as soon as i get the tiniest bit tired I literally just give up. However, when i warm up on the erg at the gym, where there is a good atmosphere and other people in the room i could hold a 2:00 split for 5km's. the thing is there is only 1 erg in the gym and i cant use it bcuz other ppl need to warm up using it and also i dont want my rowing competition to see me training.

Why is it that I can't row or push myself when its just by myself??

p.s. i am fine sculling - i just cant erg when its just me in the room???

[Pie Man]

It's one of the reasons I find posting on this forum so useful, even on my own at the gym I can still feel the 'support' of the forum. Be it in form, pace or rhythm. However it ultimately has to come from me, I have a few targets I'd like to hit and they require lots of m's and an enormous amount of sweat. So every pull on the handle is a pull closer to my personal targets and that is what keeps me going.

[Anth_F]

I'm quite the opposite, i just wouldn't feel comfortable erging in a gym with lots of people around!! This is why i wanted to buy myself an erg that i can use in the comfort and privacy of my own home. I love working out on the erg alone, just listening to my favorite Rock music. Certain tracks come on that make me push myself harder too, so when i'm doing HIIT 500m sessions i make sure i have all the tracks lined up that motivate me, ready to play, one after another on the HIIT

I find the music helps me push through the pain barriers.

[S-man]

It can be pretty easy for many of us to make excuses for not pushing ourselves, or even skipping sessions, when we're only accountable to ourselves. I agree with Pie man. For me, the big advantage having signed up to a group training plan on this forum (see the Pete plan thread) is the public committment and accountability that keeps me focussed even when I'm training on my own . You're welcome to join the PP group if that fits with your training.

[Gammmmo]

I'm quite the opposite, i just wouldn't feel comfortable erging in a gym with lots of people around!! This is why i wanted to buy myself an erg that i can use in the comfort and privacy of my own home. I love working out on the erg alone, just listening to my favorite Rock music. Certain tracks come on that make me push myself harder too, so when i'm doing HIIT 500m sessions i make sure i have all the tracks lined up that motivate me, ready to play, one after another on the HIIT

I find the music helps me push through the pain barriers.

Having come from a bicycle time trialling background where you are essentially racing on your own for the vast majority of the time (OK you do catch people or see people go the other way for reference) I have to agree with the above. I like to be in my own head space with this sport....racing may well be a different kettle of fish...only ever done one comp about 10 years ago at the BIRC and I choked, going about 8-10s slower over 2K than I should've. I too have those moments when I feel like putting the handle down but a) just slow down a bit instead or b) have an interim target distance to get to in your head and worry about hanging on until that bit and then do the same again. Stopping is a habit you don't want to get into even if it means you end up going not quite as fast as you thought initially you might. On the longer pieces it is quite common to go through ups and down of RPE....so DO complete the session unless it's no longer giving you the training effect you want e.g. you do a set of intervals and the say the 5th one is WAY down on where you should be. Better to re-group and try again another day.

[hjs]

If so you lack internal motivation. Find it cause without that you never come far. You don,t train to impress others but for your personal goals.

[Anth_F]

I'm quite the opposite, i just wouldn't feel comfortable erging in a gym with lots of people around!! This is why i wanted to buy myself an erg that i can use in the comfort and privacy of my own home. I love working out on the erg alone, just listening to my favorite Rock music. Certain tracks come on that make me push myself harder too, so when i'm doing HIIT 500m sessions i make sure i have all the tracks lined up that motivate me, ready to play, one after another on the HIIT

I find the music helps me push through the pain barriers.

Having come from a bicycle time trialling background where you are essentially racing on your own for the vast majority of the time (OK you do catch people or see people go the other way for reference) I have to agree with the above. I like to be in my own head space with this sport....racing may well be a different kettle of fish...only ever done one comp about 10 years ago at the BIRC and I choked, going about 8-10s slower over 2K than I should've. I too have those moments when I feel like putting the handle down but a) just slow down a bit instead or b) have an interim target distance to get to in your head and worry about hanging on until that bit and then do the same again. Stopping is a habit you don't want to get into even if it means you end up going not quite as fast as you thought initially you might. On the longer pieces it is quite common to go through ups and down of RPE....so DO complete the session unless it's no longer giving you the training effect you want e.g. you do a set of intervals and the say the 5th one is WAY down on where you should be. Better to re-group and try again another day.

Yeah i have found sometimes when i get about 5 reps into my 500m HIIT sessions i just need to back off a bit and slow the pace to catch my breath back rather than (think about putting handle down) Quitting is something i have never done and won't ever do!! I have lots of determination and been like this all of my life when i do something i would rather see it through anyway possible than just stop/quit.

Agree with Henry as well... do it for your personal goals!! I'm sure loads go to gyms just to try and impress others around them

[lindsayh]

Matt I am the opposite = much prefer working out with others - usually can't go really fast on my own!
Don't worry what others think or know - you are all on the same team searching for the same goals.
Many (maybe most) really good performances are done with others around - have a look "on the net" at Murray, Drysdale, the Danes etc
The more you practice something the better you get - learn to love the vibe of the gym without getting mixed up with the jock stuff and work off the positive energy.
It will help you develop a no quit attitude if you put yourself out of the comfort zone and go for it.