Introduce yourself

[Vic303]

Ripples, where in the data will I find watts? NVM, found it.

It only recorded watts on 2 of 4 workouts.
On the 4x3:00/1r it was 37 watts avg.

On the 2x2000m/4r it was 20 watts avg.
Damper was set at 3 on both.

I have no idea if that's good or abysmal...

[Ripples]

Ripples, where in the data will I find watts? NVM, found it.

It only recorded watts on 2 of 4 workouts.
On the 4x3:00/1r it was 37 watts avg.

On the 2x2000m/4r it was 20 watts avg.
Damper was set at 3 on both.

I have no idea if that's good or abysmal...

No workout on the erg is abysmal. Just doing it is good. You have a fast stroke but I don't think you're connecting with the rower. It shouldn't be "easy" unless you're doing the slow and easy aerobic training mentioned in a thread in the training section, defined as being able to sing while you're rowing. But that's not done at 30spm

Here's a good read for a start: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=185257 No. 2 reminded me of your high SPM and low watts.

Might also try a reverse pick drill to help make that connection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rndwB648yHo There's also videos around on the pick drill.

Best wishes; you sound like a gal who will be setting PBs quickly.

[Vic303]

Ripple, I've discovered I can slow down my spm, and pull a lot harder, and avg my watts btwn 55-66 over distance. I still feel no real effort from the legs. The seat only glides 13", due to the TKR reducing my flexion. Shins cannot go vertical at this point. I suspect if I could get to 126-135* flexion, I'd feel the leg drive a lot more, as deep flexion is a weaker starting position.

[JoanneP]

Hi, I am Joanne. I just started rowing about 3 weeks ago and I am wondering how I am doing so far. I am 63 years old and am rowing 5000 metres in 26:54. Is that reasonable given my age and experience with rowing? I am also having a hard time with my breathing technique, so any pointers there would be most appreciated. Thanks!

[Ripples]

Hi, I am Joanne. I just started rowing about 3 weeks ago and I am wondering how I am doing so far. I am 63 years old and am rowing 5000 metres in 26:54. Is that reasonable given my age and experience with rowing? I am also having a hard time with my breathing technique, so any pointers there would be most appreciated. Thanks!

Welcome, Joanne. That's darn good for being so new to the sport.

Concept2 has online rankings. Here's the list for your age group: https://log.concept2.com/rankings/2021/ ... 9&gender=F

[Dangerscouse]

Hi, I am Joanne. I just started rowing about 3 weeks ago and I am wondering how I am doing so far. I am 63 years old and am rowing 5000 metres in 26:54. Is that reasonable given my age and experience with rowing? I am also having a hard time with my breathing technique, so any pointers there would be most appreciated. Thanks!

Welcome to the forum and well done Joanne, that is very reasonable.

Your breathing technique is affected by a few things. Can you confirm your stroke rate and drag factor? You might be trying to go too fast too soon, as despite it looking relatively easy, rowing is surprisingly technical.

Have you watched any technique videos? It's very easy to leak power if you're doing it wrong.

[Wombat]

Hello. I am Caroline, returned to rowing a year ago when I retired. I first rowed on the river at University in Durham, now a member of the Swanage Sea Rowing Club having moved to Dorset and trying to manage the much heavier GIG boat and oars. Not the best year to try and meet people through a new sport, but during the lockdowns I have taken over my husband's Concept 2, which has been another new thing for me and entered a couple of on-line rowing competions to get me going.
My best time for 2k is 8.24 and aiming for 8.15 at the moment.
I have also just joined the CTC challenge and am about to take my first test. I am 58 and 60 kgs, so am in the lightweight masters category.
Looking forward to training suggestions and racing!

Caroline

[Dangerscouse]

Hello. I am Caroline, returned to rowing a year ago when I retired. I first rowed on the river at University in Durham, now a member of the Swanage Sea Rowing Club having moved to Dorset and trying to manage the much heavier GIG boat and oars. Not the best year to try and meet people through a new sport, but during the lockdowns I have taken over my husband's Concept 2, which has been another new thing for me and entered a couple of on-line rowing competions to get me going.
My best time for 2k is 8.24 and aiming for 8.15 at the moment.
I have also just joined the CTC challenge and am about to take my first test. I am 58 and 60 kgs, so am in the lightweight masters category.
Looking forward to training suggestions and racing!

Caroline

Welcome to the forum Caroline. Good luck with the training, and it sounds like with your previous rowing experience you'll quickly improve.

[ODA364]

Greg From Fort Worth Texas here. 65 yo male. Had to switch from Erg to Bikerg after back and knee surgery. The riding has been awesome to help rehab the knee. I have no specific goals at this point, other than keeping the knee moving. I'm riding 6-7 days a week, 20-30,000 meters total per day. I'm subscribed to the WOD's and sometimes follow them, but I'm struggling with understanding the overall focus of my training (other than grinding away watching Netflix). Do I do a warm-up?, what distance, what effort, then Short, Medium or Long WOD? Do workouts focus on Power or Endurance? Should I pick one distance and just train to improve my time? How much should I be riding? Peloton uses zones and FTP's, which don't translate to our bikes, and I find their workouts too challenging at this point. Obviously I'm confused and seeking direction to forum advice already out there that can help me get specific direction and organized workouts that build up to goals, like weight training.

[Ripples]

Greg From Fort Worth Texas here. 65 yo male. Had to switch from Erg to Bikerg after back and knee surgery. The riding has been awesome to help rehab the knee. I have no specific goals at this point, other than keeping the knee moving. I'm riding 6-7 days a week, 20-30,000 meters total per day. I'm subscribed to the WOD's and sometimes follow them, but I'm struggling with understanding the overall focus of my training (other than grinding away watching Netflix). Do I do a warm-up?, what distance, what effort, then Short, Medium or Long WOD? Do workouts focus on Power or Endurance? Should I pick one distance and just train to improve my time? How much should I be riding? Peloton uses zones and FTP's, which don't translate to our bikes, and I find their workouts too challenging at this point. Obviously I'm confused and seeking direction to forum advice already out there that can help me get specific direction and organized workouts that build up to goals, like weight training.

Hi Greg. I think if you re-post this in the Bikerg section, you'll get the direction and advice you seek.

[Slothful1]

Greg From Fort Worth Texas here. 65 yo male. Had to switch from Erg to Bikerg after back and knee surgery. The riding has been awesome to help rehab the knee. I have no specific goals at this point, other than keeping the knee moving. I'm riding 6-7 days a week, 20-30,000 meters total per day. I'm subscribed to the WOD's and sometimes follow them, but I'm struggling with understanding the overall focus of my training (other than grinding away watching Netflix). Do I do a warm-up?, what distance, what effort, then Short, Medium or Long WOD? Do workouts focus on Power or Endurance? Should I pick one distance and just train to improve my time? How much should I be riding? Peloton uses zones and FTP's, which don't translate to our bikes, and I find their workouts too challenging at this point. Obviously I'm confused and seeking direction to forum advice already out there that can help me get specific direction and organized workouts that build up to goals, like weight training.

Hi Greg

As suggested, check out the BikeErg section of the forum, or look on Facebook for quite an active BikeErg group discussing training, etc.

I haven't checked out this training guide from British Cycling yet, but they previously had a good-looking free 8 week programme available, so have a poke around that site too.

Dave

[Binskins]

Hi everyone! I'm a 64-year-old, 138 lb, relatively new single sculler who lives in New England. I initially started rowing a couple of years ago, many decades after rowing dorm crew in college. I love being on the water as a way to stay fit and healthy. At home in the off-season, I use a Concept 2 Elevated RowErg. Although I am not a super-competitive person, I'm finding that the C2 and club competitions and tests are a way to push myself to improve.

My question has to do with the 2K test. I'm wondering what a "good" time would be for someone in my age and weight category. All the numbers I'm seeing are for young athletes. Obviously, I can't come anywhere near their times but I'm having a hard time finding goal times for senior novices. So far, I've done one 1K test, without any specific preparation, plan or goal, at a time of 5:04. Although I am extremely fit aerobically, because of my weight and height (5'6") I just can't push the watts much over 100 no matter how hard I try.

Given all this, what would be a reasonable goal to aim for in a 2K test? Is there a source I can go to in order to see what others in my age and weight categories have accomplished?

[Dangerscouse]

Hi, welcome to the forum. If you look on the Concept 2 website you can compare times for other 60-69 female lightweight.

89 people have submitted their times for 1k and the average is 4:54, and your time will be good enough for 61st place.

For a 2k there are 120 results, and an average of 10:09.7

[Binskins]

Dangerscouse, Thank you!!!

[starfish]

Hello!

I'm 53, 5'5" and am just returning to fitness. I love lifting weights and hate cardio but there are two exceptions, NordicTrak (which isn't used anymore) and rowing! I used to row all the time in my 30s when I was fit. My new gym has an erg thank goodness.

Last night, after watching lots of videos, I got on a machine for the first time in YEARS. My habit is to jump in full force but this time I didn't. I'm not coordinated so I put the damper on 1, and just focused on technique. Not training, not cardio, not heart rate, not strokes, just technique. Many times I would catch myself pulling right after the catch and I had to tell myself, legs-arms, arms-legs many times. I watched that concept2 olympic rower video of common mistakes and drills to fix them and I need to fold at the hips more, and I think I'm sitting incorrectly. Need to be more on my butt bones. I like to listen to music and zone out but last night I realized I was zoning out, and not rowing correctly. I think I'm going to continue to do this for a while, until I feel more comfortable with my technique and posture. Once I know I'm making less mistakes and rowing correctly, I'll increase the damper. There's no rush since I plan on doing this as my cardio for as long as my body will let me.

I was shocked that even on damper 1, I sure felt it in my legs and upper back!

I'm glad this board is here!