Water rowers

inflames

inflames

inflames

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Joined
15 Oct 2016
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1,503
Anyone use them? I am interested as i miss rowing and it is my favorite form of cardio. I have been put off by buying one to have at home in the past, due to the size for storage and the the noise they make. The water rowers seem to that more quieter and you can stand them up for storage.
I want to get myself back in shape as I have gone from being very active, in the gym for 5 days a week to nothing in the last 18 months. Mostly due to looking after family with health issues and putting them before my self. well you can guess what has happened, now its time to sort myself out.
At the start of the lockdown i decide to start jogging/running as well as our weekly family walk. I am asssuming that during one of those runs, i done something to my knee. So i would like something a little more low impact, until i shift some of the access weight and my knee is better. As i aim to get back under the barbell squating, etc.
 
I wouldn't rule out an air rower - its a bit old now, but I use a tunturi r701, and you can comfortably watch the tv/music whilst using it,
the rail is the biggest noise element, it's quieter than a C2, at least reviews at the time I got it, suggested that.
used on a large piece of spare carpet on a wooden floor;
a bit bulky, but (like c2?) can stand up the slide when not using it.

ironically I've created a knee problem with it during lockdown - intensified its use due to lack of swimming.
 
The downside of not going with a C2 is that you're then outside of the C2 world. There are so many competitions, challenges and clubs that are all geared around the C2 that are great to do. A couple weekends ago British Rowing held the British Virtual Indoor Rowing Champs and there are also proper events like the EIRC and BRIC. I was going to compete at the EIRC this year but couldn't due to injury. I started rowing after damaging my achiles and found that I enjoyed it more than running! My C2, although noisy, is no louder than the radio I have on or my breathing while rowing and it also splits into two so is fairly compact to stash away.
 
Can't beat the C2's - Bomb proof.

I've got the C2 bike at home and use rowers/skiers at gym - They get abused 12 hours a day and need little or no maintenance.
 
Concept2 et al maintenance :

I was wondering how you tell if, due to wear, it is taking less effort to use the machine - none of them have strain guage in the cable system ?

Concept 2 look easy to replace bungee(!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOLuzAAMf-U

I've just been replacing the return spring on mine, the handle wasn't retracting as fast, but, having changed it,
There is more resistance, in particular, the arm part of the stroke has become harder, I suspect that is because legs are much more powerful in comparison, so they don't notice.

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if you want something as mechanically good as a C2 but without the software and price tag, check out the JTX fitness rowers.

I have previously owned a concept 2 model D and the JTX freedom air is just as good, I just miss the C2 software and integration with everything else. However it's half the price...and more than an adequate trade off.
 
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