* Official 500m Rowing Challenge*

sorn21 · 20 Jul 2011 at 15:58

Let's get a little record table on the go shall we? Next time you're in the gym pop on the rower, set the distance to 500m and see how quickly you can sprint it. It's only a couple minutes of your time (depending on how hard you go) and it's quite a good test of fitness. I'm interested to see how some of the gym rats stack up. This is the first time I've rowed in years, I'm out of condition and my time is by no means a great score.

I'll get the ball rolling;

***LEADER BOARD***

1:22:3 - MBennet
1:25:6 - Freefaller
1:28:45 - Burrell
1.31:1 - sorn21
1.32:0 - Moses
1:32:4 - duvet77
1:32:8 - Dunners
1:33:04 - platypus
1:34:2 - alx
1:37:7 - manic111
1:39:6 - semi-pro waster
1.39.9 - #Chri5#
1:40:0 - SDK^
1:40:0 - MoNkeE
1:40:5 - tom_e
1:45:0 - Messiah Khan
1:52:8 - lakitu
1:56:0 - cheets64
2:13:7 - sigma

Morba · 20 Jul 2011 at 16:19

I like the idea of this, having not been on a rower for a long time (my arse is huge and the seats are small!).

Question: are you forcing a resitance level or can we choose what we want to set it at?

Reason for asking is no doubt the time old argument of using the similar resistance to water will come out.

sorn21 · 20 Jul 2011 at 16:30

I'd say set the resistance to what your preference is. My time was set at level 6 on a Concept2 erg, to my understanding the harder the resistance the further you travel?

We could maybe have an additional category to show resistance levels, but then again different ergs will have a variable ratio and drag factor plays a role too. What do you think?

Morba · 20 Jul 2011 at 16:30

I don't really mind myself, i'll be near the bottom regardless

sorn21 · 20 Jul 2011 at 16:32

Haha me too, I expect I'll get my ass whooped soon by some of the beasts in here!

King Damager · 20 Jul 2011 at 17:21

Should point out here, I've seen an average guy (played Rugby and spent some time at the gym but that was about it) player be only a couple of seconds of an Olympic Silver Medalist on the rowing machines, simply by throwing technique out the window and using his arms pretty much entirely...

Shame that it doesn't reflect your technique as much as I'd hope! Saying that the second he got in a boat he struggled quite a bit xD

kd

roysters · 20 Jul 2011 at 17:23

I'm in. Ill do it tomorrow. But I always put resistance on the highest (10 i believe)

Skillmister · 20 Jul 2011 at 17:54

I'll do it when im back at my uni gym. Always use higest resistance, it seems to make technique better as having it too slack makes arms only "best".

GarethSouthgate · 20 Jul 2011 at 18:03

Will try this on Friday.

Surely we can expect most people to use decent form?

As they say, you're only cheating yourself.

I look forward to last!

sorn21 · 20 Jul 2011 at 18:08

Good stuff! Look forward to seeing the times

sigma said:
Surely we can expect most people to use decent form?

We're relying on a level of trust as it is, unless we get everyone to upload a picture/video of their 500m split... Hopefully everyone will be honest and use good form

Morba · 20 Jul 2011 at 20:33

just like the powerlifting table, just have to rely on people being honest

mithrandir · 20 Jul 2011 at 20:35

I would have loved to participate but I no longer have a gym membership

The rower was one of my fave equipment to use.

Scon · 20 Jul 2011 at 20:41

Form doesn't really matter with rowing, the worse the form the slower you go, simples!

1:28.45 on a concept2 at level 5.

Level 5 is usually considered the most "realistic" and is what all the guys i know use.

sorn21 · 20 Jul 2011 at 20:44

mithrandir said:
I would have loved to participate but I no longer have a gym membership

The rower was one of my fave equipment to use.

That's rubbish bud, can't you just go into a gym under the pretence that you'd like a look around the facilities, then when out of eye-sight blast out a quick 500m on the rower? haha

Morba · 20 Jul 2011 at 20:44

burrell said:
Form doesn't really matter with rowing, the worse the form the slower you go, simples!

1:28.45 on a concept2 at level 5.

Level 5 is usually considered the most "realistic" and is what all the guys i know use.

I thought it was 7? could be wrong though

Scon · 20 Jul 2011 at 20:46

Morba said:
I thought it was 7? could be wrong though

The local club (sent 2 olympians to Beijing) use level 5 and have always said that's the way to go. I could be wrong though.

GarethSouthgate · 20 Jul 2011 at 20:46

I'm sure my gym partner said 6!

sorn21 · 20 Jul 2011 at 21:02

sigma said:
I'm sure my gym partner said 6!

It really varies depending on the machine, drag factor and person. I'm quite happy to let people set their own resistances?

For example Concept are the gold standard of indoor erg, but I don't want to exclude others that use different equipment.

sorn21 · 20 Jul 2011 at 21:03

burrell said:
Form doesn't really matter with rowing, the worse the form the slower you go, simples!

1:28.45 on a concept2 at level 5.

Level 5 is usually considered the most "realistic" and is what all the guys i know use.

Good effort dude, that's quick! I've been rallying all the guys in my gym tonight and so far my time still stands, so I'm happy!

GarethSouthgate · 20 Jul 2011 at 21:26

It'll probably take me 2 minutes! Hope my wrist is better by Friday.

*** Official 500m Rowing Challenge***

* Official 500m Rowing Challenge*