Bad knee, first time on PM5

[RowGirlRow]

I've just treated myself with a C2 Model D and am looking to use it to improve my cardio and lose weight. I'm in no terms a super active person, and I had a left knee surgery last year that still gives me trouble. I am lacking motivation, consistency and proper beginner's training schedules, tips etc.

I've gone through DarkHorse rowing and some other YT videos, and also connected the ErgData. I'm trying to find two things:
1. videos or tutorials on rowing with a sensitive knee,
2. some kind of fun and social app or videos that I can follow while rowing. I usually put Netflix or YT on, but I get bored fast.

Any recommendation on where to go for these would be great!

[Dangerscouse]

Welcome to the forum.

I don't know about knee sensitive training, but I'd assume you need to lower the drag factor down so there's not as much pressure needed.

I only ever row to music, so I'm also not much help with videos etc, but there are games you can play that are pre programmed into the PM5 that may be of interest?

[Cyclist2]

Second what Stu said, make sure the drag factor is low (damper down at 1 or 2, 3 max) to ease the pressure. Rowing at a slower stroke rate (20-24) is a little harder at these low DFs; have a strong drive, then hands away, body hinge forward, then very slowly bend the knees and return to the catch. Rate is controlled on the recovery.

As far as videos go, I tend to watch "scenery" videos. There is a thread under "general" below with some good ones, viewtopic.php?f=7&t=186831. There are some beautiful cycling scenery videos under "Jerry's Scenic Cycling" on YouTube.

I like these when I'm doing longer UT2 pieces just for something to watch when I'm not concentrating on maintaining pace or stroke rate, just rowing. I listen to my own music playlist on my iPhone.

[mict450]

What kind of knee surgery? and what type of trouble?

[Tony Cook]

I had knee surgery in March and used my erg for my rehab. Lockdown meant no hospital physio but I’ve done enough rehab from injuries and previous knee op to know what I was doing.
Erging means a lot of control so I could steadily build up effort and so strength while having no impact no twisting or turning. Also improved range of movement as I steadily flexed more at the catch.
After Dark Horse I followed the Peter Plan and for the last 18 weeks the C2 interactive was lan for a 2k race.
While I can still feel my knee when walking down stairs or steep hills I have noticeably built up the muscles around it, and that’s the best I can do with knees as old as mine - probably have a new one in five years or so.
For entertainment while rowing I listen to audio books.

[Roger Ramjet]

I have been Erging for about 3 years with severe OA in both knees. I found Erging was one of those things that I could be relatively comfortable doing along with swimming and biking. I will likely never put in the meters or the times that others do but I enjoy it. I try to cross train to keep it fresh. Now I am recovering from double total knee replacements, four months apart, this year. Build up the time and resistance slowly. I would listen to your body and let that guide you. One of the things I found was that I really couldn't generate the force that others could. I also found it helped somethings to not use the straps.

I just watch tv or listen to music but, I have never been over 10k in a session.

[lindsayh]

for me the it is amazing how knee friendly the erg is. Mine are pretty advanced OA but still allow 50k a week and maybe a 7:15 2k at current fitness levels. Top end power really does go first though

[Ante]

Hi RowGirl,

Are you still rowing?
In addition to the useful tips above, here's my two cents. Train only the first part of the recovery, 1/2 or even 1/4 of the distance.
With healthy knees you 'recover' until your shins are vertical, no further. Never bump into your feet (ruins any knee).
For you it would probably be best to stop at the stance 'soccerball under the knees' for starters or knees raised to 15-20 cm. This won't do any harm. You can gradually elongate your recovery, when you feel you are able to.
This will make your stroke shorter, but you could lean in further to (partly) solve that point. Lying down on your own lap, as it were.

Best of luck to you & the knees.

[Vic303]

Hi RowGirlRow, I'm in the same boat as you. Just got my model D, and am learning while trying to increase my ROM in my right knee, being 5mo post op TKR.

My leg drive portion is shorter than ideal since I can't flex the knee enough. However it is strange that I also don't feel a lot of work effort in the legs regardless of how hard I push. I'm trying to get back into cycling, and powerlifting for strength.

I've been erging with damper at 3 with avg watts in the 60s. I just raised the damper to 4 after yesterday's session. Hopefully that will still feel ok.

[sprachspiel]

Hey!

I am 30yo and got knee surgery for torn meniscus at 28. My left meniscus is already torn as well - just genetics unfortunately, but I have no issues whatsoever with a competitive rowing schedule.
I went to the Ortho that treats the Austrian national rowing team, so I think his advice is quite well founded: You have to be careful to train your hamstrings well, as they should pull the nonmuscular parts to the back of your body in the catch position. Stiff leg deadlifts are a good complementary exercise.