New indoor rower + some drag factor/damper data

[jimmyshand]

I'm new to indoor rowing but am loving it so far. I've read up as much as I can from the forum and hope to post from time to time. About me - just turned 40, about 198/6'6", 95kg/210lbs (could lose 10lbs), used to play competitive sports. Always overlooked the rowing machines in gyms over the years and now it's like I've discovered a new world. That was about 8 weeks ago.

Anyway, I've been uploading my times to the Concept 2 website (best 2k so far of 7:06, 5k of 19:03 and 10k of 39:44). I asked a couple of gym staff to film me on technique and I don't think I'm a million miles away from being okay (compared to the C2 technique videos online) but am pretty sure I can improve a lot.

I was like most guys in gyms when I used the machines in the past - blast the damper up to 10 and go wild. Now I understand that is not the best approach. More importantly, I think I get the drag factor thing - my best 2k times seem to come with a DF of about 120, which as far as I can tell seems to fit within the range of what heavyweights would use.

To the point - I wanted to see what DF the four rowing machines in my gym would give at each of the 10 settings and thought it might be useful for reference for others in the future - particularly as this topic seems to come up a lot on the forum.

The table attached shows the results of my DF/Damper check on 4 machines. It seems that they might need a good clean! It also seems that all the guys who whack it up to 10 might actually (converesely) be doing the 'right' thing in a way, given the low DF. The other gyms I've been in since starting indoor rowing seem to have the same issue.

One question - do gym ergs usually get any maintenance at all?

Any advice on rowing is very welcome. Right now I'm just doing this for fitness but if I manage to keep going maybe I'll enter the odd 2k race if I can.

[Gammmmo]

All those machines are dirty. IME I've never had an erg in a gym register that close to the DF (for a given slider bar setting) on my own personal and well-used machine. Mine would give a DF of ~121 on slider bar setting 4.5. That suggests to me the machines don't get cleaned much at all - it's not like they get used THAT much - I mean, typical gym go-er will use one for all of 5 mins typically. So, that suggests long term neglect. It's not entirely surprising I suppose as most gym staff aren't paid that well and often aren't even aware what DF is anyway. You already know more than the majority of staff!!

[hjs]

It would is really telling thats gyms from 90% buy equipment and do not follow any maintenance instructions.The machines such air and collect dust this way. Easy to spot in the hole around the fancage. Without checking the drag just looking at the cage will tell a lot. Its easy to clean.
But its telling, this will be the case with all equipment.

[jimmyshand]

Thanks for the replies - I might have a word with the gym staff to see if I can convince them to get them cleaned.

[Anth_F]

Gym ergs never receive any care by staff. Strange given how much they cost to purchase just lazy IMO.

Another reason why i would never buy ex gym used machine.

[Gammmmo]

Gym ergs never receive any care by staff. Strange given how much they cost to purchase just lazy IMO.

Well, firstly as I said, they are probably (certainly IME) not even aware they need cleaning internally. Then take the fact alot of gym staff are poorly paid and not really proper "health professionals" and so they probably aren't really that bothered. Then take the fact that most gym go-ers aren't going to use C2 rowers (too much like hard work I'm tempted to say - maybe a bit unfair) and even if they do will probably be unaware of the issue anyway. Ignorance all round! Before I bought my erg I tried several gyms and one of the key factors was how good their ergs were. When I informed the owners of the gym who had the best ones, they were really pleased but will still unaware of the issue until I said. There's were probably just newer.

[Anth_F]

Not even aware they need cleaning is even more worrying.

Just look through the product manual that comes with the erg... how hard is that? Lazy and careless, nothing more.

[hjs]

Not even aware they need cleaning is even more worrying.

Just look through the product manual that comes with the erg... how hard is that? Lazy and careless, nothing more.

Indeed, takes a few minutes read

[Carl Watts]

Yes all those machines need a clean.

My lever setting is between 5 and 6 which gives a DF of about 134 so essentially I could only use one of those machines to row on properly.

You can see why many people wack the lever up to 10 at a gym though, a DF of 100 is hopeless for me, especially with all the low rate rowing sub 20spm, you would need the leg speed of Usain Bolt to get a decent pace.

[kini62]

Installed a new cage and damper cover to my 1990s model C, did a good cleaning, get a DF of around 120 on damper setting of 3.

Unfortunately in most gyms the C2 is almost completely overlooked by both patrons and staff. I would not hesitate to buy one from a gym knowing that it probably has had relatively little use and knowing just how durable and low maintenance they really are.

[Galeere]

Unfortunately in most gyms the C2 is almost completely overlooked by both patrons and staff. I would not hesitate to buy one from a gym knowing that it probably has had relatively little use and knowing just how durable and low maintenance they really are.

When I was introduced to a C2 by a gym staffer years ago he looked at me and advised a high damper setting (8-10). So I used the 10 Unfortunally that setting permanently got me to DF 160-170 and ruined technique from the start. Took me my best years and led to futile training efforts around 10-15 min mistaking the C2 for a seated row/low row. So it ain´t too bad in these cases if the C2 were dirty

[edinborogh]

ALL gym staff where i go has zero know how to how to use the C2 rower. its a shame. you see people "rowing" poorly, not knowing what they do and never get back on the C2 machine. i feel frustrated most of the times because of that. my technic is far from stelar/proper/ok/acceptable, but what i see at the gym simply makes me angry at the staff.
im not saying anything, im trying to focus on my rowing, but boy its annoying.

[hjs]

Yes all those machines need a clean.

My lever setting is between 5 and 6 which gives a DF of about 134 so essentially I could only use one of those machines to row on properly.

You can see why many people wack the lever up to 10 at a gym though, a DF of 100 is hopeless for me, especially with all the low rate rowing sub 20spm, you would need the leg speed of Usain Bolt to get a decent pace.

Low rate low drag is easy, if you can,t technique is faulty. Upping the drag is like using a higher rate. High drag is just lumpy pulling. I have pulled a 1.23 500 on 103 drag. And around 1.46 10k drag 83. Machines sounds nice, fan spins like mad

[nick rockliff]

Got my D back in 2004, don't think I've ever needed to clean the fan housing and lever position in relation to DF hasn't changed. Would think this is because probably 90% of my work has been outdoors.

I remember when I first started using an old C in the gym, I did what everybody else does and banged the lever to 10. It was about a couple of months later when I learned about DF when I realised setting 10 was a DF of 73. I did mention this to the gym owners and they did clean them out and made all the difference.

I do everything on the erg at a DF of 123

[Anth_F]

Got my D back in 2004, don't think I've ever needed to clean the fan housing and lever position in relation to DF hasn't changed. Would think this is because probably 90% of my work has been outdoors.

You have checked the max DF on damper setting 10? That can go down as the machine gets older and used a lot (natural wear and tear)

Shouldn't go down too much though if it's kept clean. If it's never dropped from 123 DF and you never had to change lever position over all these years is good.