new to rowing C2 on the way, lots of questions

[joshuaMRowing]

37 male, overweight and not in great shape. Most regular exercise is chasing/running around the yard with the kids and bike rides with the kids. Decided now was the time to get in shape and remember the rower being one of my favorite workouts in college. Seemed like a good way to burn a lot of calories, work the whole body in a short time frame, and lose some fat, and get in better overall shape with my limited time. Was going to get something cheap but having done that with other workout equipment decided to splurge on a Concept2. Joined the waitlist recently but got lucky tonight when looking around on Amazon and noticed they had 15 in stock at $950 prime shipping from Amazon directly and thought it must be a sign. Anyways I have a whole set of questions and I am sure I'll have more.

Where to start as a beginner? What do I need to read/watch to get going on this thing? Are there programs built into the C2 that I should use to get started or are there some other programs I can use to get started in my training?

I almost went with a noritrack or proform as they offered training programs and virtual rowing when connected to an iPad. Is there anything like that available on the C2?

I get bored and lose motivation easily, so something that could help me stay motivated with this would be great. Are there any good connected apps to track stats so I can see progress over time and try to beat my records? Are there any that simulate like a race on screen with the ipad maybe? I think it would be cool if you could set a virtual competitor to a set pace and then see where you stand vs them like you are racing a specific distance?

My wife is in the same boat as me as far as fitness level and will start using it at the same time as me. Is there a good way we can easily "compete" against each other to help motivate one another to push ourselves?

Does it have a heart rate tracker? I have an apple watch, is there a way to view the HR data from the apple watch on the PM5?

Is there a way to use an ipad as the main metric display? replicating the data from the PM5 and additional data maybe?

[lindsayh]

Welcome Joshua - you have made a great decision - the c2 is by far the best buy you could have made and the support here will be a great help. Don't worry about the spend - you can always sell at very little loss (or even a profit)

There are answers for most of your questions here on the Forum and my first advice would be to spend some time here reading and looking at videos
This is a good place to start: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=185257
There are many useful new rower threads and some really good stuff on weight loss as well
There are also threads to help with the questions about monitors and tech support such as Erg data and the like - there are a lot of good options.
Get a handle on technique - lots of videos linked
Especially important to learn about drag factor
train slowly to start - fitness takes a while to accumulate
don't race the training - longer steady pieces are the base for progress and for weight loss
there are work out plans that you can follow - have a close look at the beginner pete plan once the basics are in place.
There are monthly challenges to give you some goals

[mitchel674]

Sorry, but rowing is boring. You need to find your own motivation. No amount of gamification is going change the fact that you are doing the same, repetitive motion over and over again.

BUT, it is a fantastic exercise. Works 85% of your muscles and is very low impact on your body. If you are motivated to get into better shape, you made the right choice.

[Dangerscouse]

Welcome to the forum. I think you can use an iPad with Ergzone or Ergdata to show a lot of information when you're rowing. I use it on my android phone so I'm not 100% sure.

Some people use Rowpro which is a virtual session with other rowers from around the world, so they will add their comments. There is a pace boat option on the C2 monitor, and there are games you can play too. Again, I have never used them so I can't advise other than that.

I always use music to make it more enjoyable, and lots of us watch TV or films so it depends what works for you.

Importantly, don't compare your times to others for at least a few months as it will be demoralising. Expect some newbie gains, but enjoy the process rather than the results: results will slow down and possibly stall, but if you enjoy the process, you will keep going.

[MiddleAgeCRISIS]

37 male, overweight and not in great shape. Most regular exercise is chasing/running around the yard with the kids and bike rides with the kids. Decided now was the time to get in shape and remember the rower being one of my favorite workouts in college. Seemed like a good way to burn a lot of calories, work the whole body in a short time frame, and lose some fat, and get in better overall shape with my limited time. Was going to get something cheap but having done that with other workout equipment decided to splurge on a Concept2. Joined the waitlist recently but got lucky tonight when looking around on Amazon and noticed they had 15 in stock at $950 prime shipping from Amazon directly and thought it must be a sign. Anyways I have a whole set of questions and I am sure I'll have more.

Where to start as a beginner? What do I need to read/watch to get going on this thing? Are there programs built into the C2 that I should use to get started or are there some other programs I can use to get started in my training?

I almost went with a noritrack or proform as they offered training programs and virtual rowing when connected to an iPad. Is there anything like that available on the C2?

I get bored and lose motivation easily, so something that could help me stay motivated with this would be great. Are there any good connected apps to track stats so I can see progress over time and try to beat my records? Are there any that simulate like a race on screen with the ipad maybe? I think it would be cool if you could set a virtual competitor to a set pace and then see where you stand vs them like you are racing a specific distance?

My wife is in the same boat as me as far as fitness level and will start using it at the same time as me. Is there a good way we can easily "compete" against each other to help motivate one another to push ourselves?

Does it have a heart rate tracker? I have an apple watch, is there a way to view the HR data from the apple watch on the PM5?

Is there a way to use an ipad as the main metric display? replicating the data from the PM5 and additional data maybe?

I've rowed every day since April 7th. I've lost 47 lbs. The reality is - it is boring. I watch netflix, youtube, prime , I have the radio on. you can practise technique, you can measure heart rate but basically if you stick at it you lose weight, you live longer so you have to suck up the boredom.

When you row - you measure metres / minutes / heart beats but the trick is to get to the end of a row and realise that the micro cosm of time looks super long when at rhe start of something but super short when you look back.

At the start of each row focus on knowing that looking back is shorter and that the end will be reached.

I apply this every row. I now apply it to months of rowing. So five months ago - looking forward - that seems ages. Now looking back - its flown. i've done 3.16m metres now. I'm going to do 5m and be in amazing shape. Ive done this this really low intensity rows that i have done day after day. I
dont get out of breath , i dont sweat.

Row every day, be consistent , dont go too hard , boring regular rowing burns fat.

[max_ratcliffe]

Welcome to the forum,

The rower is a good choice - it's a commercial quality piece of kit at home gym prices. Hopefully you'll be hooked straightaway, or if not, soon grow to love it.

I almost never find erging boring. There are so many ways to add challenge (physical or mental) to a training piece. Almost all my longer pieces are done with rate and pace targets, and these change every few minutes. Or there are intervals, long and short and essentially endless other permutations, including concept2's workout of the day, and lots of suggestions from the knowledgeable folk on this forum.

Of course it's probably not as good at getting out on the water, but how many of us have a lake in the yard?

Enjoy.

[mict450]

Sorry, but rowing is boring. You need to find your own motivation. No amount of gamification is going change the fact that you are doing the same, repetitive motion over and over again.

This, x 1 million!!! Steady state, mind-numbingly boring!! Intervals much more engaging, because it feels like a matter of life or death.

I find rope skipping or Javorek complexes using dumbbells or sandbags highly engaging & interesting. Unfortunately, my joints can no longer tolerate the abuse.

You'll need to get to the point where erging becomes a HABIT. Then, it doesn't matter that it's boring. Your reptile brain will flog your arse to get on the rower & put in the meters. Sorta like brushing your teeth or eatin your veggies. Habit conquers all!!

[HowardF]

I am also new to rowing. Just passed 42 000 meters.

Today I did a video of myself. YES, there are for sure something to improve when it comes to basic technique!
So I really do recommend all to do the same.

[Popcorn]

I don't think it's boring if I do it with a class (on zoom these days) or follow along with a video workout and focus on technique or whatever goals of the day you have. But it feels very boring sometimes if I just do it on my own.

[MiddleAgeCRISIS]

Sorry, but rowing is boring. You need to find your own motivation. No amount of gamification is going change the fact that you are doing the same, repetitive motion over and over again.

This, x 1 million!!! Steady state, mind-numbingly boring!! Intervals much more engaging, because it feels like a matter of life or death.

I find rope skipping or Javorek complexes using dumbbells or sandbags highly engaging & interesting. Unfortunately, my joints can no longer tolerate the abuse.

You'll need to get to the point where erging becomes a HABIT. Then, it doesn't matter that it's boring. Your reptile brain will flog your arse to get on the rower & put in the meters. Sorta like brushing your teeth or eatin your veggies. Habit conquers all!!

I like " the chains of habit are too light to be felt until they are too heavy to be broken"

[mict450]

I like " the chains of habit are too light to be felt until they are too heavy to be broken"

Good one!! I'll hafta add that to my list of quotes.

[joshuaMRowing]

I don't think it's boring if I do it with a class (on zoom these days) or follow along with a video workout and focus on technique or whatever goals of the day you have. But it feels very boring sometimes if I just do it on my own.

What youtubes videos are good to work along with for a beginner?

[mict450]

What youtubes videos are good to work along with for a beginner?

Well, off the top of my head: Dark Horse, Training Tall, Crew Class, Caryn Davies....

I don't row along with the videos, as I find it quite irritating & boring, but they do provide ideas that I incorporate into my erging sessions.

To take my mind off of my steady state boredom, old Looney Tunes cartoons, Three Stooges are helpful. Also discovered old reruns of Happy Days, Hogan's Heroes & Green Acres. Anything simple & elementary that a 5 yr old would find amusing..... Perhaps more a commentary on my emotional age.

No disrespect towards our UK mates, but your hilarious sitcoms are not available to me: Monty Python, Blackadder, Benny Hill, As Time Goes By, Are You Being Served, Keeping Up Appearances, On Foot in the Grave, Waiting for God.....Just as well...I'd prob'ly strain something laughing my arse off while erging!