Questions about accessories

[JaapvanE]

Your advice is like the advice before operating a milling machine - tuck in your shirt, roll up your sleeves... This is an exercise machine, not a milling machine.

Both are machines with open moving parts, so in that sense the advice should indeed be identical. No matter what you do mechanically, there is always the chance of something falling in front of the rollers. You could reduce the chance by adding guards, but it can't be reduced to zero. Adding guards reduces maintainability, so I can see why they don't do that.

In the boathouses I know, people don't wear shirts during training, as it improves cooling a lot. In the gym that is typically frowned upon, but it can be resolved by tucking in.

I must say, I've been rowing on ergs for over 30 years, with and without shirt (I typically don't tuck in) and I've never seen it happen. Come to think of it: the seat only should move when the person is leaning forward or is neutral. When your seat is still moving when your back is leaning backward, technique is off in a dangerous way (this will lead to back injury). Might happen in a gym, although most forget the back swing altoghether.

[Slidewinder]

That depends on the length of the tail of my shirt - whether it will come loose during the catch

Surely the flaw in your comment is that if it's so long to catch on the roller, it has to be long enough to tuck in properly?

That's not to say it isn't an issue, but if it required a solution, I'd have have expected to have heard at least some people mention it before now.

Thirteen years years ago, after several instances of the tail of my shirt getting caught under the rear seat roller, I designed and installed the described simple guard and posted a video showing its effectiveness at eliminating this problem. I received many positive comments. I also, at the time, mentioned it on this forum. Here, in the den of C2 True Believers, no one dared to say anything positive about it. It was universally dismissed. How little things have changed here. It's a simple guard. Would probably cost C2 three or four bucks to add it to the RowErg, but no one here dares to say, then or now, that it is a good idea. That would suggest a defect in the RowErg, and even that suggestion is verboten.

[jcross485]

these are all great points.

mat - I am on carpet in a rental apt, so while I doubt the feet will cause any damage or move, I considered getting one

HRM - I have eliminated Garmin due to multiple reviews that its BT connection isn't reliable, also the Garmin Connect app doesn't seem to be as well liked as Polar's. I will be using without their $500 watches.

phone stand - C2 sells theirs for $1. I have no idea why no one has mentioned this and I've watched a lot of videos/reviews, they all recommend some $20 phone holder.

can you run both ergzone, ergdata at same time? or any other app which also syncs to the PM5? I'm guessing they all connect to PM5 directly, is there a connection limit or is it like a pc with multiple connections?

the whole tracking thing and now with added HR tracking is new to me and very tempting.

this will be setup in my living room which is the only place it can go. I have a floor fan.

- The mat in your case seems optional but you likely will be sweating a fair amount and having the mat might help keep the carpet cleaner.


- I have a Garmin Fenix watch that I wear daily (have for years); I also have a Garmin HRM which I have had for years that I used when running was more of a focus. I have personally never had an issue with it pairing via BT. I am not familiar with the Polar ecosystem but the Garmin one has been sufficient for me thus far.


- I have the cheap phone holder from C2; I also have the iPhone 13 mini so a smaller phone than a lot of people. The way my phone sits in the cheap phone holder, I am not confident the larger phones with a case would fit well but I could also be very wrong on that.


- I've never tried to connect more than one app at a time to the PM5. All of my stuff I am doing is in ErgZone as that was the first app I downloaded to use with the C2. From all I have read and heard, ErgData is more complete with a lot more data and options. ErgZone has been sufficient for what I am looking for at this point but I could see ErgData providing benefit through other metrics and feedback. I would make one general recommendation with data and tracking though - don't overly stress about data until you really start to enjoy the rower. Get on the machine consistently, put in some work, and as you begin to enjoy it more, then start digging more into the data. I think too many people get obsessed with data without enjoying the process. I prefer to prioritize enjoying the process and using the data to better understand how it can be more enjoyable (better performance, better recovery, etc.).


- I have a floor fan in my non-climate controlled garage in Las Vegas. Summers can be brutally hot and winters can actually get quite cold at the time. During the summer, the floor fan is quite sufficient for me. The one thing with fans is that a lot of people set them up to blow on their face - I did initially as well and while it felt like it was giving relief, once I moved it to be behind me blowing on my back, I found it being behind me actually gave me a better cooling effect.

[JaapvanE]

Here, in the den of C2 True Believers, no one dared to say anything positive about it. It was universally dismissed. How little things have changed here. It's a simple guard. Would probably cost C2 three or four bucks to add it to the RowErg, but no one here dares to say, then or now, that it is a good idea. That would suggest a defect in the RowErg, and even that suggestion is verboten.

Ah, your famous approach of "my technique sucks and causes issues, so lets blame the machine" combined with "if people disagree with me, they must be blind C2 followers" again.

Look around, there are dozens of machines out there, not C2, newly ground up designed, that use an almost identical roller construction without any guards. WaterRower, Ergatta, BioRower, RowPerfect, etc. all have open rollers, no gaurds. Surely in designing these machines, when this really would be an issue, either one of these companies thought it was an issue. Surely one of them would have prevented it if they considered it an issue in use.

Besides this, again, you are crashing into a thread with a very valid question where you contribute nothing and actually derail it.

[MPx]

I have the cheap phone holder from C2; I also have the iPhone 13 mini so a smaller phone than a lot of people. The way my phone sits in the cheap phone holder, I am not confident the larger phones with a case would fit well but I could also be very wrong on that.

I have the C2 phone holder. I get my wife's hand me down phones so I'm lagging a bit...but its worked fine for an iPhone 6s in a case and currently with a XR in a case although that needs more persuasion to mount. Her current 14 is smaller than the XR so will be fine when I inherit that, but I suspect the pro max or similar size would be a step too far.

[jcross485]

I have the C2 phone holder. I get my wife's hand me down phones so I'm lagging a bit...but its worked fine for an iPhone 6s in a case and currently with a XR in a case although that needs more persuasion to mount. Her current 14 is smaller than the XR so will be fine when I inherit that, but I suspect the pro max or similar size would be a step too far.

Good info on the phone size! I've been turned away from upgrading too much on phones just because I am not a fan of walking around with a tablet in my pocket.

[ecrow]

well that changes my plans to use multiple apps (on tablet and phone). I was assuming I'd always have ergdata recording everything and then if needed use another app for extra features.

I use Ergzone for every session, and I can't think of anything that it doesn't do that I'd like it to do.

I've not looked at the most recent Ergdata version, but it was no contest for an option for me with the older version.

in some youtube videos they mentioned a premium ergzone version, on their site I only see paid version needed for family plans, correct?

In any case I doubt C2 will ever charge for Ergdata, while 3rd party apps have no such guarantee, and the devs have to make money, I understand.

[ecrow]

- I've never tried to connect more than one app at a time to the PM5. All of my stuff I am doing is in ErgZone as that was the first app I downloaded to use with the C2. From all I have read and heard, ErgData is more complete with a lot more data and options. ErgZone has been sufficient for what I am looking for at this point but I could see ErgData providing benefit through other metrics and feedback. I would make one general recommendation with data and tracking though - don't overly stress about data until you really start to enjoy the rower. Get on the machine consistently, put in some work, and as you begin to enjoy it more, then start digging more into the data. I think too many people get obsessed with data without enjoying the process. I prefer to prioritize enjoying the process and using the data to better understand how it can be more enjoyable (better performance, better recovery, etc.).

I suppose I will try both and find out, since others have posted that Ergzone does everything and more.

the point about being obsessed with data is very valid and I'm afraid I'm guilty of that in many other domains. I've tried to go the 'log everything I eat' or micro analyzing things and in the end not only is it counterproductive but you realize you lose a lot of enjoyment.

w.r.t rowing, I have no experience yet, but a part of me is thinking the best way might just be not to try and make it interactive (i.e. using gamification apps like exr) but to just let go and make the repetitive movements subconscious almost. the data tracking is going to be useful to track progress and for things like measuring hear rate for health, and once I get good enough using the PM5 and apps for intervals etc. But rowing is supposed to me meditative right?

[ecrow]

I have the cheap phone holder from C2; I also have the iPhone 13 mini so a smaller phone than a lot of people. The way my phone sits in the cheap phone holder, I am not confident the larger phones with a case would fit well but I could also be very wrong on that.

I have the C2 phone holder. I get my wife's hand me down phones so I'm lagging a bit...but its worked fine for an iPhone 6s in a case and currently with a XR in a case although that needs more persuasion to mount. Her current 14 is smaller than the XR so will be fine when I inherit that, but I suspect the pro max or similar size would be a step too far.

how do you attach the image with your times in your signature? is that auto generated by some app?

[edward.jamer]

I thought that purchasing a matt wouldn't be necessary. Between moderate-to-heavy sweat and some slight movement during high intensity sessions, this is now something that I consider the most valuable add-on and would be the first thing I recommend buying. I've heard of other people using the interlocking tiles you've mentioned; I suspect that would work out just fine if really wanted to save a few bucks. Considering the price of a new erg, adding an official matt seems reasonable to me.

We have one of the C2 adjustable tablet holders for our BikeErg, and I use the small and cheap C2 phone holder for the RowErg. I much prefer the smaller holder with my Samsung Galaxy A32 5G with Otterbox case. But I never run two devices - our ergs are set up in front a of TV that we use during relaxed sessions. My daughter does use the tablet holder some of the time... but even she typically prefers to leave her table set up beside the bike instead of taking up so much of the viewing area in front of her. To summarize, having some kind holder definitely makes sense, but what works best depends strongly on what device(s) you own and how you like to work out. Starting with whatever default holder C2 currently includes is probably the best bet.

Heart rate monitor is something I've thought about for a long time, and if more serious about training it's something I'd have already invested in... But I'm not that serious, and since it's easy to purchase separately at any time, there's been no rush. I'm still thinking about it, but haven't felt bad exercising without one so far (3 years into RowErg ownership).

Seat pad: some people will definitely disagree, but I'm of the opinion that with proper form and some practice, they are (typically) not needed unless you plan on doing longer (half-marathon or better) sessions. But maybe I just have a booty that works well for this kind of exercise. Official pads are inexpensive, and having a good experience when starting out can be crucial to sticking with a new experience... so it seems like a no-brainer to throw one in when ordering, just in case it's helpful to you.

All of this is just one opinion/experience. Don't take any of it for gospel. Your experience might end up being very different than mine.

[Dangerscouse]

Thirteen years years ago, after several instances of the tail of my shirt getting caught under the rear seat roller, I designed and installed the described simple guard and posted a video showing its effectiveness at eliminating this problem. I received many positive comments. I also, at the time, mentioned it on this forum. Here, in the den of C2 True Believers, no one dared to say anything positive about it. It was universally dismissed. How little things have changed here. It's a simple guard. Would probably cost C2 three or four bucks to add it to the RowErg, but no one here dares to say, then or now, that it is a good idea. That would suggest a defect in the RowErg, and even that suggestion is verboten.

I've been mulling this over and I can sincerely conclude that I have no idea why you're so hostile. Are you always angry? You could you start an argument in an empty room.

If you're so convinced that we are all "C2 true believers" what do you hope to achieve in your posts, or is releasing your (self-perceived) righteous indignation all that matters?

Please feel free to not reply as I've got far more important things to think about at the moment, and, seemingly unlike you, I don't get any satisfaction out of this sort of hostile exchange of words. You won't believe this, but I'm actually hoping that you'll see the futility of it all.

[Dangerscouse]

in some youtube videos they mentioned a premium ergzone version, on their site I only see paid version needed for family plans, correct?

In any case I doubt C2 will ever charge for Ergdata, while 3rd party apps have no such guarantee, and the devs have to make money, I understand.

I'm not paying for my version, and I've used it for a few years now so I'm not sure about they versions. There is a far more comprehensive version that is about £4 a month, I think, but I don't need all of the data it provides, although it does seem worth it if that's your thing.

[ecrow]

I thought that purchasing a matt wouldn't be necessary. Between moderate-to-heavy sweat and some slight movement during high intensity sessions, this is now something that I consider the most valuable add-on and would be the first thing I recommend buying. I've heard of other people using the interlocking tiles you've mentioned; I suspect that would work out just fine if really wanted to save a few bucks. Considering the price of a new erg, adding an official matt seems reasonable to me.

We have one of the C2 adjustable tablet holders for our BikeErg, and I use the small and cheap C2 phone holder for the RowErg. I much prefer the smaller holder with my Samsung Galaxy A32 5G with Otterbox case. But I never run two devices - our ergs are set up in front a of TV that we use during relaxed sessions. My daughter does use the tablet holder some of the time... but even she typically prefers to leave her table set up beside the bike instead of taking up so much of the viewing area in front of her. To summarize, having some kind holder definitely makes sense, but what works best depends strongly on what device(s) you own and how you like to work out. Starting with whatever default holder C2 currently includes is probably the best bet.

Heart rate monitor is something I've thought about for a long time, and if more serious about training it's something I'd have already invested in... But I'm not that serious, and since it's easy to purchase separately at any time, there's been no rush. I'm still thinking about it, but haven't felt bad exercising without one so far (3 years into RowErg ownership).

Seat pad: some people will definitely disagree, but I'm of the opinion that with proper form and some practice, they are (typically) not needed unless you plan on doing longer (half-marathon or better) sessions. But maybe I just have a booty that works well for this kind of exercise. Official pads are inexpensive, and having a good experience when starting out can be crucial to sticking with a new experience... so it seems like a no-brainer to throw one in when ordering, just in case it's helpful to you.

All of this is just one opinion/experience. Don't take any of it for gospel. Your experience might end up being very different than mine.

thank you, valuable opinions.

w.r.t tablet/tv - I will be using this in a 1br apt, it will be setup in living room. There's a couch and tv, the C2 will be off to one side, next to the wall, like this -

--------------------------------
......[[ tv ]]

c2
c2....[table]
c2
......[ couch ]
--------------------------------

so when on c2, I will have to look off to one side for tv which I don't think will be good. and I don't want to move it each time. on the other hand if I want to watch a show I'd rather on a proper tv than a tablet. Will see when I set it up.

[Citroen]

There's too much crap about Slidewinders shirt here.

Topic locked.