Concept2 indoor rowing

alexthecheese

alexthecheese

alexthecheese

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Joined
10 Mar 2006
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Been doing a fair bit of rowing lately and I know there's an online Concept2 rowing challenge kinda thing, but I was wondering what resistance level you're supposed to have it on to compete. I'm on about 6.5/7 at the moment, doing 3500 metres in about 14 minutes, which I'm trying to improve upon, but I cant tell if that's any good or not as I dont know what other rowers are set to.

Is there a standard to it all?
 
PhilthyPhil said:
I believe in competition you can use any resistance you want because the distance you go with each stroke will vary accordingly. If you are strong you will get better times from using a high resistance though. Rowers tend to use 3-4 which is equivalent to a DF of 134 as gives the same resistance you would feel in a boat. Basicly just go for whatever you feel most comfortable with or gives you the best times.
Click to expand...

Big 'ahhhh'... I did wonder how they ensured people were on a level ground but that makes sense.

5k must be a killer! 3500 metres was intense and yesterday (was a bit tired and ended up getting into the gym late, about 8pm) I only managed 2k/8mins before giving up.

I notice some people using what look like rowing gloves, with a single pad to wrap round the handles - where's good to get those?

EDIT: Adam - 6:40 for 2k? That is pretty damn fast. Is that on level 5 for you? I do notice that some people are whizzing backwards and forwards and others go for the longer, more powerful strokes. I think I'm somewhere in the middle.
 
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Well it's a damn sight faster than me and I'm not hugely smaller than you - 6'0" and 78kgs!

Must try harder - only thing with the rowing machines where I go is that it's right in front of all the bikes, in front of a mirror, and it just feels like everybody is watching you. I hate that. :p
 
I often find that my technique seems better when I dont think about it, and when I do, particularly when I get tired I tend to start yanking the handles rather than puling through smoothly.

I've seen these guides before, there's one up at the gym, but it's hard to pin point the part where the arms are taking over from the legs.

When you're pulling, in the drive phase, do you basically lock your arms, pull with your legs and then near the end of the reach of your leg start pulling with your arms?
 
Not that I know much about these things (this thread clearly shows that! :p) but they seem to hold their value surprisingly well.

I did 2k in 7:40 yesterday, which considering I posted a 9:42 3 weeks ago (pretty much the first time I started rowing properly) is pretty damn good for me!

It's definitely given me the boost to get back on and post some better times. Only thing is I'm now contemplating going on to the harder 5k or stick with the 2k and start improving my times for a shorter burst. 2k seems a little short and I'm trying to burn as many calories as possible in the gym these days.

What do you think guys? Stick with 2k, or go to 5k? I suppose I could always split it up?
 
Whey, the thread's back.

I got my PB for 2km down to about 7:15, then had a few weeks of weddings and unholy drinking and ruined myself. I'm at about 7:30 for the 2k, but because it's over so quickly I'm going to start doing the 5km. Another reason is that I only burn about 150 calories doing the 2km, and would like to burn more.

I like the advice of sticking to the target religously and going with it even though it doesnt feel like much at the start, I have a habit of shooting off and paying for it later in the row.

Anybody find their wrists ache on occasions after using the rowing machine? I play a lot of guitar and my fretting hand feels it after.
 
I've just got back from the gym and did the 5k. Was a bit apprehensive at first, but after I got into a steady rhythm it wasn't too bad.

For the most part I averaged about 1:58-2:00/500m, with the last 500 metres about 1:50 and got something in the region of ~19:35. I could've pushed harder throughout, but I didn't want to go off crazy and then burn 10 mins in. :p

Definitely feels better to start with 5k than 2k though. My arms were burning and my legs felt good when I went on the cycling machine after. Much more of a warm up than the manic 2k that I've been doing up until now. Looking forward to getting my time down now.
 
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