New rower

[BondHaimBond]

Just saying hi. Just got new to me model E with whopping 4 million+ meters. Was taken aback at first, but everything was working smooth so I jumped on the deal. I have been rowing since May 2021, started with a water rower, now with Concept 2. Love rowing, just wish I got into it earlier.

[mict450]

Welcome to the campfire. 4 mil is practically new! Enjoy your C2.

[MPx]

Welcome. Learn to love it and you'll have doubled that distance within 2 years....

[BondHaimBond]

If anyone would like to critique my habits, please feel free, just like to know where I stand. Primary goal is to lose weight and stay fit. I'm currently at #5 resistance, rowing daily for 20 minutes at 26-27 strokes, adding 1 minute every week. I also do morning row for 10 minutes. Like to row barefoot in my undies.

[jamesg]

Do you use heart rate to track your reactions? Erging can be almost a full body exercise, using a lot of muscle and getting HR up to 120-130 in just a few minutes even at low ratings.

[BondHaimBond]

No, I'm not using hr monitor or any apps as of yet.

[edward.jamer]

... I'm currently at #5 resistance ...

One thing to learn is that resistance # doesn't mean anything because dust and other factors mean that #5 on one machine is different than #5 on a different machine. Instead, you can use the monitor to check what drag factor the machine is at. (Search online to learn more about drag factor.)

Using a drag factor around 120 for women and 130 for men seems to be pretty common - I guess that simulates water resistance? But use what you feel comfortable with and what suits your own goals!


Hope you continue to love erging! It can be tough at times, but is rewarding too. The more you put in, the more you'll get back in return!

[JaapvanE]

If anyone would like to critique my habits, please feel free, just like to know where I stand. Primary goal is to lose weight and stay fit.

Keep that goal in the back of your head, but above all enjoy your excercise. That is the jey to keep going.

I'm currently at #5 resistance, rowing daily for 20 minutes at 26-27 strokes, adding 1 minute every week. I also do morning row for 10 minutes. Like to row barefoot in my undies.

You should row at the damper that feels best at that moment. Sometimes it is dragfactor 135 at a short distance, sometimes a dragfactor 90 on a long distance. Adding some distance every week is actually a good idea.

But be aware of overdoing it. Especially when starting, your technique might not be perfect and you might injure yourself by doing too much. I injured my wrist by the combination of a too explosive start and a bad grip, taking me out for weeks (actually the reason I switched to a Concept2). Avoiding injury either direct or by too short periods between excercises is key to training daily.

[BondHaimBond]

It's like a drug and I can't wait for my next work out. I adjusted my technique somewhat, based on some videos from Dark Horse Rowing. Damper still between 4&5, however, I switch it up between slow and hard push off, and lighter, but quicker strokes. Keeps it much more interesting IMO.

[Ombrax]

Damper still between 4&5, however, I switch it up between slow and hard push off, and lighter, but quicker strokes. Keeps it much more interesting IMO.

Remember that in general, unless we're talking about the start of a piece when you're getting the flywheel up to speed, long, powerful strokes are better than short ones.

Have fun!

[Tsnor]

No, I'm not using hr monitor or any apps as of yet.

Get at least Ergdata (free from concept2, download from ap store for your platform - android/kindle/apple)

Then create a Concept2 log (free) and upload the data.

Later (maybe months/years from now) you may want to see this data. The only way to see it is to capture it now. The PM5 keeps a limited history, but does not keep any per-stroke data.

[Dangerscouse]

No, I'm not using hr monitor or any apps as of yet.

Get at least Ergdata (free from concept2, download from ap store for your platform - android/kindle/apple)

Then create a Concept2 log (free) and upload the data.

Later (maybe months/years from now) you may want to see this data. The only way to see it is to capture it now. The PM5 keeps a limited history, but does not keep any per-stroke data.

+1

I quite often regret not doing something similar from when I started rowing. I estimate I've missed circa 18-20 million metres, and all of the associated data, from my very patchy 21 year love affair.

[edward.jamer]

No, I'm not using hr monitor or any apps as of yet.

Get at least Ergdata (free from concept2, download from ap store for your platform - android/kindle/apple)

Then create a Concept2 log (free) and upload the data.
...

+2

ErgData is fantastic, and it's free. Same for the Concept2 log account.
Having an accurate record of your performance over time is totally worthwhile and can also be very motivating.

I mean, don't do anything you don't feel comfortable with - but I'd highly recommend both of these things!

[BondHaimBond]

Currently I don't have pm5, however looking into getting one, especially if our health insurance covers it as a fitness equipment or health monitoring device. However, I really just wanted to erg to lose some weight without making it complicated.

[BondHaimBond]

Welp, rather than buying a pm5 and replacing a few wear parts I ended up ordering an entire new RowErg.