Rowing As A Complete Exercise

[[old] Byron Drachman]

Don't forget about Xeno's upper body indoor rowing workout. You work the triceps ("until they fall off"), biceps, lats, etc. Also, he has you work on core flexibility, something that is crucial to maintain as you get older. It's a great DVD, as are the others.<br /><br />Another way to work the triceps is to ride an Irish Mail (rowing on wheels) where you push and pull. I'll do anything to avoid pushups.<br /><br />Byron<br />

[[old] hjs]

[quote=remador,Dec 12 2005, 05:23 PM]<br />Sorry, hjs, but I cannot agree.<br /><br />Your ab's work <i>a lot</i> during rowing. At the end of each drive, it's your abdominal muscles that stop your many of your body's inertia and start to move you forward, along with some of your leg muscles. This is a [/i]major ab workout. Not to mention that some studies pointed out that your lower abdominal musculature is worked in such a way in rowing that most women who practiced it have their work as preagnants made quite easy.<br /><br />OTOH, erging is not as complete as rowing: in a sculling boat, for example, you will work your shouldes much more than in an ergometer, mostly because of the hard catch and because you pull in an arch.<br /><br />Finally, how do you think you go to the catch position without your hamstrings? Never felt them burning after a strong start?<br /><br />Mwa. which mucle do you feel burning when you row hard? Only the ones you really feel do a lot.<br />Maby youre abs do some work but not that much. And by rowing strapless the little bit they do is almost gone. I am sorry I have to disagree.

[[old] remador]

Marcusll, <br /><br />Yes, you are right about the triceps efficiency in the overall drive - it's maybe almost null. However, about your question: I am only erging nowadays, practicing almost never on the water (professional reasons...). Some days ago, I got out in a 4-. Incredibly for me, I was so tired in a particular set of muscles that I suffered quite a bit. It was precisely my triceps muscles, although I do a lot of gym work and, naturally, bench presses. But my muscular endurance in the tri's is not so good. So, it was really taxing. Then, I walked around for 3 days with the back of my arms in pain.<br /><br />These things are really less evident than we tend to think. <br /><br />AM

[[old] remador]

<!--QuoteBegin--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->And by rowing strapless the little bit they do is almost gone. I am sorry I have to disagree </td></tr></table><br /><br />Sorry again, but it's precisely by rowing strapless that the ab work get's harder: if you cannot pull the straps with your toes, than you'll have to stop your body mass i) with your abs and quads; ii) with the flywheel resistance.<br /><br />AM

[[old] hjs]

<!--QuoteBegin-remador+Dec 12 2005, 05:37 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(remador @ Dec 12 2005, 05:37 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin--><!--QuoteBegin--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->And by rowing strapless the little bit they do is almost gone. I am sorry I have to disagree </td></tr></table><br /><br />Sorry again, but it's precisely by rowing strapless that the ab work get's harder: if you cannot pull the straps with your toes, than you'll have to stop your body mass i) with your abs and quads; ii) with the flywheel resistance.<br /><br />AM <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br /><br /> by rowing strapless the only thing your legs can do is push. To stop you flying away from the footsteps you have to pull quit hard at the end of each stroke, Thus meaning that your hamstring and abs can't do any work. You can only use them if your feet are strapped in. So I am sorry but you haven't convinced me a bit. <br />And by strapping in your shinmuscles do most of the pulling, not your hamstrings.<br /><br />

[[old] ancho]

<!--QuoteBegin-hjs+Dec 12 2005, 05:28 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(hjs @ Dec 12 2005, 05:28 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->...<br />Mwa. which mucle do you feel burning when you row hard? <br />... </td></tr></table><br /><br />After a hard race, even my eye lids are burning! <br />

[[old] remador]

hjs,<br /><br />I think you should take a look at this:<br /><br /><a href='http://www.concept2.com/05/rower/musclesused.asp' target='_blank'>http://www.concept2.com/05/rower/musclesused.asp</a><br /><br />In my opinion, it's even incomplete. Imagine if it was not...<br /><br />AM

[[old] Byron Drachman]

<!--QuoteBegin--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->your triceps, for example, are contracting isometrically during the drive (like in a pull-over), as well as your pec's. Moerover, in rowing (water), they will get even a more complete workout, not only during the drive itself, but during the recovery as well, as the oars are heavier than the c2 handle and, frequently, you will have to row against the wind. Besides, you can allways row backwards, which is very, very good, but you can't do it in an erg. </td></tr></table> <br /><br />Hi AM,<br /><br />It seems then that another benefit of rowing-with-blades-squared drills, especially against the wind, would be to work the triceps even more. <br /><br />Byron<br /><br />

[[old] hjs]

<!--QuoteBegin-remador+Dec 12 2005, 05:50 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(remador @ Dec 12 2005, 05:50 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->hjs,<br /><br />I think you should take a look at this:<br /><br /><a href='http://www.concept2.com/05/rower/musclesused.asp' target='_blank'>http://www.concept2.com/05/rower/musclesused.asp</a><br /><br />In my opinion, it's even incomplete. Imagine if it was not...<br /><br />AM <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br /><br /> hahahaha<br /><br />Do you think concept is giving a objective standpoint on this issue? <br />Just look how a good rower is build and you knok enough. Strong legs, strong back and the rest is mwa.......<br /><br />And I know what I am talking. I am a former decatlon atlete. And does guys look 10 times beter then rowers. <br /><br />Ps I am rowing know again for 2 months and I cab see my muscles melt away

[[old] remador]

<!--QuoteBegin--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Hi AM,<br /><br />It seems then that another benefit of rowing-with-blades-squared drills, especially against the wind, would be to work the triceps even more. <br /><br />Byron </td></tr></table><br /><br />I agree totally!<br /><br /> <!--QuoteBegin--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->hahahaha<br /><br />Do you think concept is giving a objective standpoint on this issue? <br />Just look how a good rower is build and you knok enough. Strong legs, strong back and the rest is mwa.......<br /><br />And I know what I am talking. I am a former decatlon atlete. And does guys look 10 times beter then rowers. <br /><br />Ps I am rowing know again for 2 months and I cab see my muscles melt away </td></tr></table><br /><br />The source of the information is not concept2, but this:<br />Kinesiology of the rowing stroke, NSCA Journal, Volume 10, Number 2, 1988, Thomas Mazzone, M.D. Wyoming County Community Hospital, Warsaw, New York <br />If you want to say they're saying crap, go ahead; this info is in the FISA site, too. Maybe they don't know what rowing is.<br /><br />OTOH, if you are goind to say that decathlon is harder for your muscles than rowing, let me say this: i) maybe in a decathletes forum they buy that kind of stuff; ii) it's completely false; iii) it's understandable that we tend to magnify things we liked in our memory and, thus, that we tend to get a sort of biased look about some stuff, but you are really over-biasing things.<br /><br />AM<br />

[[old] hjs]

If you want to say they're saying crap, go ahead; this info is in the FISA site, too. Maybe they don't know what rowing is.<br /><br />OTOH, if you are goind to say that decathlon is harder for your muscles than rowing, let me say this: i) maybe in a decathletes forum they buy that kind of stuff; ii) it's completely false; iii) it's understandable that we tend to magnify things we liked in our memory and, thus, that we tend to get a sort of biased look about some stuff, but you are really over-biasing things.<br /><br />AM<br /><br /><br />???????? you are saying things I haven't sad?<br /><br />I said 3 things mainly in my last post.<br /><br />1 look how toprowers are built and you know which muscle they use te most.<br /><br />2 You giving me a link by concept. My anwser. Offcause the say it's an fullbody work out. It's their machine. Don't think they are objective.<br /><br />3 I was referring to the way decatlon atletes look. And now your are mentioning it. Yes the decatlon is much more demanding compared to rowing. <br />But the 2 are completly different. Rowing is a one thing only, dec. is very complex with it's very different disciplines.<br /><br />this doesn't mean I don,t respect rowers. No absolutly not. A top rower is a top atlete. <br /><br />And you know the saying. The winnaar of the decatlon on the olympics is the king off the games. <br /><br />

[[old] ancho]

Can't remember if it was Daley Thomson saying that decathlon were 10 easy games + the 1500 m.<br />Others say that athletes row, other just play games.<br />Who will be right?<br /><br />Are you sure it makes sense comparing?? <br /><br />BTW, I think synchronized swimmers look the best!

[[old] remador]

Ancho, <br />I agree about the swimmers. <br /><br />Hjs,<br /><br />Really, my answer "sounded" somewhat bitter, just because I wrote in great rush (I was leaving work).<br /><br />Anyway, for me, there is no doubt that rowers, from a physiological standpoint, are, along with x-country skiers, world's fittest athletes. Then, swimmers, runners and bikers. <br /><br />Decathletes are said to be the most complete athletes from another completely different point of view: they are one man's orchestras, in the sense that they play several sports instruments, most of which needing high technical skills. I take off my hat to them, about this.<br /><br />Finally: I allreday gave you the source of those pictures on the C2 site. Even if they weren't made in a scientific context, they would make all the sense in the world.<br /><br />AM<br />PS: Sorry for the yesterday's "rusty" answer.

[[old] hjs]

<!--QuoteBegin-remador+Dec 13 2005, 01:21 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(remador @ Dec 13 2005, 01:21 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Ancho, <br />I agree about the swimmers.  <br /><br />Hjs,<br /><br />Really, my answer "sounded" somewhat bitter, just because I wrote in great rush (I was leaving work).<br /><br />Anyway, for me, there is no doubt that rowers, from a physiological standpoint, are, along with x-country skiers, world's fittest athletes. Then, swimmers, runners and bikers. <br /><br />Decathletes are said to be the most complete athletes from another completely different point of view: they are one man's orchestras, in the sense that they play several sports instruments, most of which needing high technical skills. I take off my hat to them, about this.<br /><br />Finally: I allreday gave you the source of those pictures on the C2 site. Even if they weren't made in a scientific context, they would make all the sense in the world.<br /><br />AM<br />PS: Sorry for the yesterday's "rusty" answer. <br /> </td></tr></table><br /><br /><br /> ok this posting sounds very nice. I totaly agree. The only thing I wanted to say (erg) rowing is just 1 movement and no more, so It can't be a totale body workout. <br />And about "fittest athletes" this mostly a matter of diffenition. The sports you mention gives very high endurance. With cross country skiing as nmr 1.<br />biking and certainly swimming less. Simply because the use less muscle.<br /><br />If we should consider other factors as strengt and flexibility or power other sports do better.<br /><br />row well and also gain strenght <br /><br />

[[old] remador]

<!--QuoteBegin--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->row well  and also gain strenght  </td></tr></table><br /><br />Ok, I hope I do. Thanks!<br /><br /> <br /><br />AM