Absolute Newbie Accessory questions

[Pingin]

Hello all,
I'm absolutely new to rowing . I ( 64 year old Irish male ) just bought a second hand C2 D PM5 and am really looking forward to it becoming my main daily form of exercise .
Are there accessories and apps that are must haves .? Should I use my iPhone 8 to log information and if yes where can I buy a suitable bracket to hold it or my iPad. Also are there health monitors that are must haves?
Is there an absolute beginners guide to indoor rowing, and using the pm5 monitor that is also worth reading ?
Really any help to smooth my way onto these new waters will be greatly appreciated .
Thanks in advance
Pingin

[Citroen]

Just get Ergdata on your phone and row away into the sunset.

[Ombrax]

I'm going to disagree with Citroen, and say that unless you're a totally data & goal driven geek, additional software stuff is not a must-have item when you start rowing. As an example, I'm an engineer (and therefore by definition into data and analyzing it) and get enough info from the PM to satisfy me.

At the beginning don't get too carried away by all the data that's available, and concentrate instead on making sure you're using the rower properly and that you understand it and how your body is interacting with it. As you start this journey, those are critical issues.

I recommend that total newbies spend some time poking around the C2 web site, because they have lots of good information on both their products and how to use them.

Here are a few good places to start:

Top-level menu with lots to good links: https://www.concept2.com/indoor-rowers/training
Be sure to take a hard look at the rowing technique related video.

How to use the PM5: https://www.concept2.com/service/monito ... how-to-use

Other useful stuff: https://www.concept2.com/indoor-rowers/ ... -resources

And one thing that seems to confuse so many people: The damper lever position and the drag factor

https://www.concept2.com/indoor-rowers/ ... etting-101

https://www.concept2.com/news/debunking ... -intensity

Finally, you may find that getting a heart-rate monitor that is compatible with the PM and displaying your HR will provide useful information as you try workouts at varying levels of intensity. (Check the C2 web site for info on compatible chest straps.)

Good Luck and welcome to the forum.

[Pingin]

Thanks Citreon and especially Ombrax for taking all the time to reply so fully .I will read all the links .
I understand that the technique is very important for the beginner rower .
Thanks again

[Dino]

Register for the online logbook so you can keep track of all your rows.
If more than just you using the erg, then get a USB stick each so you each record your own rows. You can then use the Concept2 utility to upload to the online logbook.
Alternatively, if you do use the Ergdata app, this can upload directly for you. If you get into analysing your rows, then ergdata also records more info, more granular info than the monitor.
Congrats on the purchase

[jackarabit]

I agree with Citroën and Le Cowboy. Best app enhancement for PM data collection and transmission: ErgData for ifone or droid. Best intro to the productive rowing stroke: Concept 2 home page.

[Pingin]

Thanks for all the guidance .

[Dangerscouse]

Welcome to the forum, but what is your main aim? Is it just general fitness, weight loss or something else?

For a seemingly simple exercise it's surprisingly technical and there's a lot that you can do wrong.

[Pingin]

It's general fitness Dangerscouse .Any suggestions for a training plan greatly appreciated . I'm retired .Should /Could I do more that one session a day ? for how long should a typical session last ?
Thanks again

[Dangerscouse]

It's general fitness Dangerscouse .Any suggestions for a training plan greatly appreciated . I'm retired .Should /Could I do more that one session a day ? for how long should a typical session last ?
Thanks again

For base fitness I have found long and slow sessions were best. Ideally over 40 mins, and longer if possible.

It is good to mix up sessions with some faster and shorter workouts and interval sessions, this will stop your body adapting to the stimulus. Have a search as there are loads of options for intervals so that is a personal choice.

You can only train as hard as you can rest so let your honest assessment be your guide for how many times you row. Don't set your expectations based on ego orientated targets, ie. don't compare times, and just establish what is right for you, and look to improve on those times over a long period of time.

Patience is key and slowly you will see improvements but it's all about enjoying the process and the results almost being secondary otherwise it usually becomes too frustrating for people and their motivation tails off. Remember it's widely said that it's 21 days to build a habit and 90 days to build a lifestyle

[Pingin]

Thanks again Dangerscouse ,
That all seems like vey wise advice . Are there good rowing programs on youtube that you would recommend ?
Thanks again

[shocks_]

Asensei app is worth a look. A mix of programs about to be launched by the look of it. Its an ios app, maybe on android not sure sorry

[Pingin]

Thanks shocks ,
I downloaded asensei and used a program from it today . It all went well .
I have to say I haven't found anything too challenging yet . I kept all my workouts to 30 mins or less .
Thanks again

[gregsmith01748]

Hi,

I'm jumping into this thread a bit late, but I couldn't resist. I agree with almost everything that has been said, definitely a good idea to double check technique and figure out good drag factors. I definitely think getting a HR monitor is a good idea, even if you just use it to start collecting data.

I would recommend that you start to routinely use ergdata. Not to contradict Ombrax, but for me, I really wish I had good data for all my workouts. If you use ergdata, it will upload stroke by stroke data to the concept2 online logbook, and then you will have a great reference to look back at to see if you are making progress. Having this data also makes it easier to communicate to other people about how your training is going.

Greg

[Pingin]

Thanks Greg. I'm taking all that has been said and following the advice given . I have the time to row very day .Is this advisable and if yes for how long?
Thanks again