Is erging to music sometimes counterproductive?

[Gammmmo]

I'd guess most people listen to music whenever they erg, and especially so on longer (and slower?) pieces, but are there sessions when YOU choose not to, and why? I have a theory, for one case, that it disconnects the erger and adds unwelcome overload or serves as a distraction for very specific/hard sessions...discuss.

[Anth_F]

I used to but very seldom do now. I later found that it served as a distraction because i am a very passionate music lover in general... and would find myself drifting off pace and irregular spm's, i was getting more wrapped up in the music than i was focusing on the rowing session.

So now no music, which i don't mind. Some say it's boring without some form of entertainment as you row but i can do without it no probs I guess if you're rowing away for hours at a time then that might be a different story.

[bonefixer]

There's always terrible music on in my gym so I've no choice. It's only a problem if I'm doing a strictly rate limited piece such as 30R20 as I may go off rate.

My recent PB over 1000 (subsequently improved upon) was probably messed up because of my music choice. I had Symphony X's Underworld album on, with plans to go at the start of the second track - it launches into a splendidly fast and very heavy riff, ideal for a racing start. Unfortunately it went too well and I was about 3 seconds over pace by the time I focussed on the monitor and by then it was too late to settle, and ended as a fly and die.

For longer training pieces I listen to more mellow stuff with occasional glances at the monitors only. For longer hard set pieces I try and pick playlists so I'll have motivating music for the last 30% when I expect to be struggling.

Overall, music helps, just be careful if rate limited.

[bisqeet]

hehe...
trying to do a 2k TT to the frozen soundtrack might not work .)

[Griparn]

I've always rowed without music. I think it will make it more difficult too keep right pace.

[Dangerscouse]

Personally i couldnt imagine erging without music. The music in the gym is terrible and i find music extremely motivating, albeit it's a bit of an issue for me at the moment as i'm trying to nail slow strokes and pace so i can take on a charity 12 hour challenge in December.

I've changed the music but it's still an issue for me to go slower than 2:00 splits. I did a 30km row yesterday at 2:00 pace but i know that it needs to be closer to 2:10- 2:15 for me to stand a realistic chance of not burning out too early.

[edinborogh]

it will sounds strange, but i listen to music that helps me not to pay attention to the music, and kind of "disconnect" from everything around me. the music im listening to, doesnt "pump" me up or anything like that, just helps me to completely immerse in the rowing "rhythm". stranger yet, when i cover the PM, and have no view of the numbers, i NEED the music or else im going mad about my distance covered.

[edinborogh]

Personally i couldnt imagine erging without music. The music in the gym is terrible and i find music extremely motivating, albeit it's a bit of an issue for me at the moment as i'm trying to nail slow strokes and pace so i can take on a charity 12 hour challenge in December.

I've changed the music but it's still an issue for me to go slower than 2:00 splits. I did a 30km row yesterday at 2:00 pace but i know that it needs to be closer to 2:10- 2:15 for me to stand a realistic chance of not burning out too early.

hu Dangerscouse, can you share some details of the event? does it have a set goal of 12 hours? what distance you expect to cover?

[Cyclist2]

This may sound counterintuitive, but I have a hearing loss and tinnitus, so I need the music.

I wear noise-cancelling headphones and put on various styles of music, just what I feel like that day, nothing in particular regardless of the planned workout. It blocks out the noises from the erg and fan I have blowing on me, both of which (while not excessively loud to most people) irritate my hearing. It actually allows me to better concentrate on what I'm doing. And when a tune comes up with the tempo matching the rate I'm rowing, I get 3 minutes of "pacing", which helps me pull stronger strokes for the duration of that song.

When I'm doing race pieces or hard, short intervals where I don't want the headphones getting in the way, I wear earplugs to block the noise.

[barrec]

I've spent times listening and not listening to music. When I did listen, I was influenced mostly by my stroke rate because I didn't always have the best way to keep my device attached to my body.

But this time around, I'm making the conscious decision not to listen to anything while erging, no matter what the workout. I'm trying to improve my technique and concentration. I also have a meditation practice which is reinforced by concentrating while erging (one breath/stroke at a time kind of a thing).

But to each their own. If music is what you need to get on the erg, I say listen away.

[Oarsome Fitness]

I can't erg without something to take my mind off the rowing. The only times I have done it without music is only when we had a cox coxing ergs at my rowing club. Otherwise the music is always on. For tests I make playlists with power songs at certain points and it definitely gives me 'free speed'

[lwtguy]

I can't erg without something to take my mind off the rowing. The only times I have done it without music is only when we had a cox coxing ergs at my rowing club. Otherwise the music is always on. For tests I make playlists with power songs at certain points and it definitely gives me 'free speed'

"Free speed" also comes with the proper Oakley's on the water as well. Guaranteed 2sec/500m faster

But I always listen to music when erging as it helps me to focus in. It's just you and a number on the screen and it can get pretty daunting. I don't see any negative aspects of it.

In high school we had coaches that hated playing music while we erged, and we would go through entire winter trainings (November-March) without it. They'd always spout the same BS about "how we didn't have music on the water!" which is pretty obvious. However, on the water there are a variety of other factors keeping you motivated. Even when I'm in my single OTW I find that I don't need it because I'm so focused in on the rowing aspect, and when my boat is gliding along it feels great.

My coach in college did make us do a 2K test without music as a mental test. That was tough but overall was a good experience. I just wouldn't want to do it every day.

[mdpfirrman]

I have separate playlists for sprints, SS work (longer slow days) and intermediate work. I find it helps me a lot with SPM targets. Actually, I had gotten into some bad habits with SPM using too slow of music on some longer rows. I started doing mostly 21/22 work on longer rows, which is fine perhaps one day a week or so, but I was doing it all the time. Since I've upped the tempo of the music a bit, my longer and intermediate rows are more in line with 23 to 24 now, closer to where they should be for me (being of average height). Now if I can just keep my wife from messing with my playlists!

[Dangerscouse]

Hi Edinborogh, it's a stupid decision that I made to do a 12 hour session after two girls I know did a 24 hour spinning session. 24 hours may be possible in the future, but I doubt it, and I thought about what I could do as a charity event. A marathon doesn't seem enough anymore, and a double marathon or 100km would end at a random time so a specific time was the best idea, and 12 hours seemed just about achievable.

It's just me for the full duration but they are going to set up two more rowers so people can jump on and help out. I'm aiming for 130km but it might be more or less, but distance isn't too important...just finishing is all that matters!

[jag]

I can't see any way it could be counterproductive as long as it motivates you (as it does me). Anything that motivates you has to be a good thing.