Exercise bikes / Choices / Concept2 Rower

[Muse]

I've had this stationary bike for about two weeks now. It checks the important boxes for me: 1) belt drive so it's very quiet, 2) magnetic resistance so there is no felt pad to replace, and 3) price I could afford ($440). So far it's been excellent. Lots of height adjustment and fits my 6'1" frame great. Construction is very solid and adjustments are easy to make for seat height, seat distance from handlebars, handlebar height, and handlebar distance from seat. Highly recommended.

I'm liking the ones with (1) a support behind the back and (2) optional handle bars on either side of the seat. I presume that those generally are 2 position bikes, an upright for use with the handlebars near the display and a recumbent or semi-recumbent position in which you have your hands on the bars beside the seat. I'm really not thinking about the money right now, my stock portfolio has been going nuts. I'm pretty frugal in general, but once in a while I like to put that aside and get something without regard to cost as long as I can really afford it. In this case, yeah, I want something I'm not going to regret. This is one of the toughest online purchases I've ever contemplated. Because of the pandemic I can't try anything out, absolutely wouldn't consider it. Last time I went in the stores looking at stuff in that way was November, when I went in a Best Buy to check out laptops. Several days later I came down with a virus!

I'm really up for the Concept2 Model D Rower right now, Concept2 says it's a 9-10 week wait right now and I'm on the list as of yesterday. 9-10 weeks puts it right about the Nov. 3 election! I'm hoping to be a happy camper after that.

Spoiler

Go Joe!

I'm feeling good right now, finished my daily skate an hour ago and am feeling the endorphins!

 

[Elfear]

I'm liking the ones with (1) a support behind the back and (2) optional handle bars on either side of the seat. I presume that those generally are 2 position bikes, an upright for use with the handlebars near the display and a recumbent or semi-recumbent position in which you have your hands on the bars beside the seat. I'm really not thinking about the money right now, my stock portfolio has been going nuts. I'm pretty frugal in general, but once in a while I like to put that aside and get something without regard to cost as long as I can really afford it. In this case, yeah, I want something I'm not going to regret. This is one of the toughest online purchases I've ever contemplated. Because of the pandemic I can't try anything out, absolutely wouldn't consider it. Last time I went in the stores looking at stuff in that way was November, when I went in a Best Buy to check out laptops. Several days later I came down with a virus!

I'm really up for the Concept2 Model D Rower right now, Concept2 says it's a 9-10 week wait right now and I'm on the list as of yesterday. 9-10 weeks puts it right about the Nov. 3 election! I'm hoping to be a happy camper after that.

Spoiler

Go Joe!

I'm feeling good right now, finished my daily skate an hour ago and am feeling the endorphins!

YOLO! Seriously, you should get something you'll like and the recumbent bikes are nice in a lot of ways. If I wasn't recovering from a specific running injury that is exacerbated by a recumbent bike, I would have picked that style. Reading this thread has also gotten me thinking about a rower...

 

[Muse]

YOLO! Seriously, you should get something you'll like and the recumbent bikes are nice in a lot of ways. If I wasn't recovering from a specific running injury that is exacerbated by a recumbent bike, I would have picked that style. Reading this thread has also gotten me thinking about a rower...

I used to be all about running. Took it up when I became friends with a guy at the university (who came from the area I grew up in). He was on the cross country team. To him, distance running was like a religion, he was virtually evangelical about running! That was what our friendship was about for the most part. Running! I still remember some of the things he told me, things mainly about preventing injury. I ran quite a lot into my 40's and suddenly had pain in my left foot that said, no, you can't run. Pretty bad and pretty sudden. Went to a sports medicine clinic for a one time visit and was told I had plantar faciitis and the doctor's assistant suggested I take up swimming. I was unable to run again (I tried some months later, maybe a year) it just flared up again. Meantime I'd become a super dedicated swimmer. 1st few months or so 1 mile/day, 7 days/week. Then one day I said "why not 2 miles?" From then on it was 2 miles every day. I'd take splits, keep records (that I still have). Did this for 10 years and one day I had the same thing happen to me as with running, couldn't! Major pain in left shoulder! Same deal, a year later, the pain had subsided but trying to swim was a no-go, just when the Y had supplanted their real old pool with a brand new lap pool. Eventually had surgery on that foot (Morton's Neuroma, actually 2 in the same foot, very uncommon, and removed in the same outpatient procedure) and a bit later on that shoulder (torn labrum, another outpatient). Maybe didn't help I was in the gym with the weights 1.5 hours every day 7 days/week before swimming those 2 miles as fast as I could stand for 10 straight years every day except for when I had a cold or something.

See, it's hard to give up the aerobic! I love it, actually! Felt real good taking up skating regularly again. The pandemic had me in the house all the time. I was running up and down my stairs but my knee got sore, so stopped that and went with the bike trainer. Figured I want to take my bike off that for the street, so started this thread because deciding what else to get is quite a challenge to make a good choice. Great ideas here, I'm optimistic I'll like that Concept2 Model D rower.

 

[Elfear]

I used to be all about running. Took it up when I became friends with a guy at the university (who came from the area I grew up in). He was on the cross country team. To him, distance running was like a religion, he was virtually evangelical about running! That was what our friendship was about for the most part. Running! I still remember some of the things he told me, things mainly about preventing injury. I ran quite a lot into my 40's and suddenly had pain in my left foot that said, no, you can't run. Pretty bad and pretty sudden. Went to a sports medicine clinic for a one time visit and was told I had plantar faciitis and the doctor's assistant suggested I take up swimming. I was unable to run again (I tried some months later, maybe a year) it just flared up again. Meantime I'd become a super dedicated swimmer. 1st 6 months or so 1 mile/day, 7 days/week. Then one day I said "why not 2?" From then on it was 2. I'd take splits, keep records (that I still have). Did this for 10 years and one day I had the same thing happen to me as with running, couldn't! Pain in left shoulder! Same deal, a year later, the pain had subsided but trying to swim was a no-go. Eventually had surgery on that foot (Morton's Neuroma, actually 2 in the same foot, very uncommon, and removed in the same outpatient procedure) and a bit later on that shoulder (torn labrum, another outpatient). Maybe didn't help I was in the gym with the weights 1.5 hours every day 7 days/week before swimming those 2 miles as fast as I could stand for 10 straight years every day except for when I had a cold or something.

See, it's hard to give up the aerobic! I love it, actually! Felt real good taking up skating regularly again. The pandemic had me in the house all the time. I was running up and down my stairs but my knee got sore, so stopped that and went with the bike trainer. Figured I want to take my bike off that for the street, so started this thread because deciding what else to get is quite a challenge to make a good choice.

Man, you've been through the ringer injury-wise. Running is one of the hardest aerobic exercises on your body but it's hard to beat that runner's high. Part of me is looking forward to the day when cyborg limbs can be attached when needed.

Hope the rower and bike trainer work for you.

 

[RazorBladeMaster]

I guess the only "normal" form of running is bare foot running. The more sophisticated the boots become, the more injuries people get.

 

[Muse]

I guess the only "normal" form of running is bare foot running. The more sophisticated the boots become, the more injuries people get.

When I was running a lot I was pretty poor. Instead of buying new running shoes I would layer on a lot of Sho-Goo. This may have been a mistake. Reason being that a thick layer of that stuff makes the shoes less flexible. AFTER I developed a pretty severe injury (plantar faciitis, probably) I found out that this may have caused or at least contributed to my injury. So, probably good idea to pay close attention to issues like appropriate shoes, and if you find an excellent foot doctor (my experience was that this wasn't easy at all), that could be a real plus.

Plus, I did a lot of street running. If you can run on grass, that's probably the best idea. Dirt is way way better than concrete or asphalt.

 

[A///]

What's that brand of exercise equipment that used to run commercials often day and night back like 20 years ago? Something flox.... I saw they had a spin bike recently, around a grand though, and it was highly reviewed on both their site and online. I still maintain you can get a solid belt magnetic drive with a 40-50 flywheel for under $800 that's just as good as a Peleton, for example. Just shove your table on the hand rest area.

 

[Scarpozzi]

When I was running a lot I was pretty poor. Instead of buying new running shoes I would layer on a lot of Sho-Goo. This may have been a mistake. Reason being that a thick layer of that stuff makes the shoes less flexible. AFTER I developed a pretty severe injury (plantar faciitis, probably) I found out that this may have caused or at least contributed to my injury. So, probably good idea to pay close attention to issues like appropriate shoes, and if you find an excellent foot doctor (my experience was that this wasn't easy at all), that could be a real plus.

Plus, I did a lot of street running. If you can run on grass, that's probably the best idea. Dirt is way way better than concrete or asphalt.

Plantar-Fasciitis is what everyone assumes is wrong when you have foot pain. The foot's more complicated than that one band of muscle...so it's a huge YMMV on what's actually wrong. I started running in 2015 for real to train for a marathon that was 6 months out. It was really hard for 2-3 months while I ran 3 miles...then 4 miles. Finally, I hit 7 miles. I remember going on a work trip and running 10 miles the day before I left...then another 10 miles one morning on the trip. I felt really good and I turned the corner on that distance....

I went for a run the following weekend and was going for 15 miles. I ran 12.5 and ended up hurting my left foot. Overuse injuries like that happen when you do too much or have bad equipment. Your muscles fatigue and eventually your ligaments no longer have the support then need. Once your ligaments strain and get injured, they're no longer there to protect the bone and your foot has lots of them. Basically, overuse injuries can lead to stress fractures if you don't stop running when it hurts. I think that's what happened to me and my left foot still isn't right because of it. I've done 14 half marathons and 3 marathons on it....but my advice is to get good shoes with lots of cushion, run slow and short distances without increasing more than a mile a week once you get past 5 miles. Taking it slow and resting enough is how you overcome that stuff and if you have muscle issues, ice and nsaids go a long way.

 

[Muse]

It's been aptly said, "running a marathon is like pulling up the carrots to see how they're growing." It's hard on your body. At one time I was on a level where I thought I had a good chance of running a 3 hour marathon. But I never even tried. Things would come up, pain, injuries, an illness, I have NEVER run in competition. Later, when I could no longer run and had taken up daily swimming (2 miles of laps) I was a pretty good swimmer, never even fantasized about racing in the pool. My competition was myself, and I still have the 1/2 mile splits in my notebooks.

It really pays to pay attention to, think about, research how to prevent injuries and how to recover from them.

I have bought and used NSAIDs, cold packs too. But I can't say that I've ever felt that using them much helped me! I could have used professional attention, but had none when I was running or swimming. When I asked my PCP around 3 years ago to refer me to a PT, he said it was just for recent injuries. I really need to dump the guy for another PCP. He's smart, but sees you through his own lens. I don't think he realizes it. My sister PT (who had him as her PCP) was What?, when I told her that. She just moved to Maui, so will have Kaiser there.

 

[Scarpozzi]

It's been aptly said, "running a marathon is like pulling up the carrots to see how they're growing." It's hard on your body. At one time I was on a level where I thought I had a good chance of running a 3 hour marathon. But I never even tried. Things would come up, pain, injuries, an illness, I have NEVER run in competition. Later, when I could no longer run and had taken up daily swimming (2 miles of laps) I was a pretty good swimmer, never even fantasized about racing in the pool. My competition was myself, and I still have the 1/2 mile splits in my notebooks.

It really pays to pay attention to, think about, research how to prevent injuries and how to recover from them.

I have bought and used NSAIDs, cold packs too. But I can't say that I've ever felt that using them much helped me! I could have used professional attention, but had none when I was running or swimming. When I asked my PCP around 3 years ago to refer me to a PT, he said it was just for recent injuries. I really need to dump the guy for another PCP. He's smart, but sees you through his own lens. I don't think he realizes it. My sister PT (who had him as her PCP) was What?, when I told her that. She just moved to Maui, so will have Kaiser there.

I only competed when I ran distance track in high school....but distance track was 800m, 1600m, 3200m... My fastest mile was 5m 40s. There were twins in my class that could BOTH run a 4:30 or better. I learned then that I wasn't built for running the way they were.

By the time I actually signed up for the marathon, what gave me confidence was the fact that I was so scared of not completing the distance. Lucky for me, I did a lot of reading, followed a plan, and enrolled in a HITT class for 8 weeks that got me in shape much faster. I was doing that 2 days a week and running 3-4 days a week. I cut out sugar and many carbs....but I was shaving off 2-3lbs a week while still gaining lots of lean muscle. I peaked in my training at 10k distance shortly after that marathon....because that's when I was the lightest and had the right leg mass balance. 4 years later, I'm not sure I'll ever be able to get back there unless I can force myself to wake up in the early hours like I used to. =P

 

[Scarpozzi]

I finally received the Echelon Bike I ordered...a month later. They gave me 10% off, so I got the bike(walmart exclusive) for $449 + tax. I'm going to try using a Fire Tablet with it.

This bike is heavy and solid. It feels industrial. Definitely a good bike for big people like us.

 

[Muse]

I only competed when I ran distance track in high school....but distance track was 800m, 1600m, 3200m... My fastest mile was 5m 40s. There were twins in my class that could BOTH run a 4:30 or better. I learned then that I wasn't built for running the way they were.

By the time I actually signed up for the marathon, what gave me confidence was the fact that I was so scared of not completing the distance. Lucky for me, I did a lot of reading, followed a plan, and enrolled in a HITT class for 8 weeks that got me in shape much faster. I was doing that 2 days a week and running 3-4 days a week. I cut out sugar and many carbs....but I was shaving off 2-3lbs a week while still gaining lots of lean muscle. I peaked in my training at 10k distance shortly after that marathon....because that's when I was the lightest and had the right leg mass balance. 4 years later, I'm not sure I'll ever be able to get back there unless I can force myself to wake up in the early hours like I used to. =P

I think I actually was running a 5:20 mile at one point. Maybe a bit faster. My running "career" came to a crashing halt in 1985 or so. I was running pretty hard at that point, probably 5+ times/week. I'd run to the local high school's track, which was open to all. That was over city streets more than a mile. Then I'd run 5 miles, then run home. Pain seemed to come out of nowhere and pretty intense. I couldn't even walk the streets after that, had to get a bicycle. At the time I had no bike (mine had been stolen) and I had no car. Never got over that left foot pain, at least not to the point where I could run again. I tried a year later, it was no go. I decided to stick with the swimming, which was going well enough.

Didn't skate today because it was way too damn dark with the wildfire smoke around here. It was about the same brightness as a moonlit night. I need real good visibility skating. Miss one rock or whatever and it could ruin my health permanently. No joke. Maybe tomorrow, or hopefully climb up on my bike trainer. Got an email today from Concept2 saying the ETA on my rower is Nov. 4.

 

[Scarpozzi]

I think I actually was running a 5:20 mile at one point. Maybe a bit faster. My running "career" came to a crashing halt in 1985 or so. I was running pretty hard at that point, probably 5+ times/week. I'd run to the local high school's track, which was open to all. That was over city streets more than a mile. Then I'd run 5 miles, then run home. Pain seemed to come out of nowhere and pretty intense. I couldn't even walk the streets after that, had to get a bicycle. At the time I had no bike (mine had been stolen) and I had no car. Never got over that left foot pain.

Didn't skate today because it was way too damn dark with the wildfire smoke around here. It was about the same brightness as a moonlit night. I need real good visibility skating. Miss one rock or whatever and it could ruin my health permanently. No joke. Maybe tomorrow, or hopefully climb up on my bike trainer. Got an email today from Concept2 saying the ETA on my rower is Nov. 4.

Proper technique on the rower is critical. Remember these numbers....strokes per min....we used to do 18-23 spm warm up....28-32 spm race speeds.

Start out looking at your 500m splits and shoot for 2:30 pace at first....try to get it lower. Go slow up the slide and pull with your legs, finish strokes with the handle near your sternum. I really feel like those machines know if you do something wrong.

 

[Muse]

Proper technique on the rower is critical. Remember these numbers....strokes per min....we used to do 18-23 spm warm up....28-32 spm race speeds.

Start out looking at your 500m splits and shoot for 2:30 pace at first....try to get it lower. Go slow up the slide and pull with your legs, finish strokes with the handle near your sternum. I really feel like those machines know if you do something wrong.

Isn't there a dial for resistance? How do I deal with that?

 

[Viper GTS]

Isn't there a dial for resistance? How do I deal with that?

There is, but what matters is really drag factor. Unless you're an absolute monster you're going to be somewhere between 3 and 5. Somewhere around 100-120 drag factor is appropriate for most people.

However - There is a strong case to be made for starting much lower to nail down your form:

Once you have that sorted out you can up drag factor to where you'll be long term.

Viper GTS

 

[Scarpozzi]

Isn't there a dial for resistance? How do I deal with that?

Concept 2 rowers have a lever on the side of the wheel that goes up and down between 1-10. It's like an exercise bike....you need some resistance, so shoot for 4-5. I did crew in college and used to compete. I rowed with a few guys that were really good....(one is a olympic gold medalist)

Watch some videos about proper technique. Rowing is REALLY hard on a machine and the key is slow, controlled movements, and slow breathing. It's a full body workout and a lot of beginners just pull with their arms as fast as they can and never really spin the machine. If you pull too fast, it's like the chain never catches right...like I said, they're really good machines and can detect poor technique. Pay attention to the strokes per minute because you can shoot for those lower warm up ranges I told you before ever pushing it. Just remember that a sprint race is 2000m. I quoted 2:30 for 500 splits, but that's because you're starting. I used to do sub 1:30 splits (but slowed down if doing more than 1).

Why the 2,000-Meter Row May Be the Most Killer Fitness Test Ever Created

The 2,000-meter row for time allows you to explore dark, distant corners of your mental fortitude in ways other fitness tests can't. Learn...

www.stack.com

 

[Scarpozzi]

I have another Echelon update for anyone thinking about getting one of those connected bikes. Amazon is offering a similar cut model to what Walmart has at the $500 price point. I can't stress enough that this is one of the smoothest action bikes I've ever been on. The handlebars are solid steel wrapped in an industrial coating. Echelon had someone nail the execution on the quality. The small DC adapter that plugs into the back of the bike and limited bluetooth electronics likely give this bike a 5-10 year lifespan though unless you take it apart and add your own electronics. You very well could make this a Garmin or other type of bike later. Without a tablet and connected app, you don't know your cadence, resistance, or total output (watts)/calories.

I tried setting up the Echelon app without getting a plan. It won't even start without you filling in an Email address, serial number, place, and date purchased. Once you do that, you have to pick a free trial plan. You don't have the option to skip. The trials are 90 days, so there's that....but the options are $19.99 for 100 classes, $39.99 for unlimited...then there are 1 or multiple year memberships where you can just pay once and get a discount...but those are hundreds of dollars. My understanding is that the Peloton app without the Peloton bike is $13/month. You can get a $40 bluetooth cadence monitor and you're good...you just won't see the resistance or output.

Just FYI on all that. I want to see if I'm able to downgrade service at the end of 90 days (for me in December) and just read the cadence/resistance/output without doing the classes. The classes are pretty neat though because there are a lot of people cranking and while I'm not in great shape at the moment, I pass people instantly. The 20 minute ride I did tonight left me in 4th place out of 50 people. The 3 guys that beat me were WAY above me. They likely had resistance cranked all the way up AND had cadence up there too.

 

[Muse]

So, I received my new Concept2 Model D Rower a few days ago and today I assembled it, got on it and I'm "what's going on?"

Even at top resistance (10), it doesn't seem intense enough. I've been skating daily, it's about 5.5 miles up and down a gentle grade 6 times, so the Myworkouts app graph has peaks and troughs and reports my workout when I'm done. Peaks are at the top of the gentle 1/2 mile long hill, troughs are at the bottom. Today was pretty typical of what I've done the last couple weeks. My top BPM was 160, average was 137BPM. Took me 38 minutes. That was in the late morning. I assembled and tested the Rower about 4PM.

I wasn't wearing my HR monitor testing the Concept2, but I figure I'm going to have a tough time getting to 130BPM using this thing. It lacks intensity. I have the feeling this is for weaklings! I know, ridiculous. Look, I turned 77 this summer. I figured this machine would have to give me a good workout, but now I wonder. Here, it seems to say this is serious equipment:

Why Does Crossfit Use Rowing? and Why the Concept 2 Rower?

Wondering what all the Crossfit hype is over the Concept 2 Rower? Why are Crossfitters even rowing in the first place? Come forth and I'll explain

www.garage-gyms.com

Maybe mine's defective? Have I maybe not assembled it correctly? Is that possible? I looked at the illustrations in the manual and I think my form's pretty OK. I bend my knees well, pull the bar to my chest. I can't get to where I'm breathing heavily, not close.

 

[Viper GTS]

You are doing something wrong. Have you watched all of Concept2's videos on how to do this?

Indoor Rowing Technique on the Concept2 RowErg

Learn how to row on the Concept2 RowErg

www.concept2.com

As a starting point, can you go into the memory and take a photo of the summary of your first attempt? The pace/rate data etc is what I'm looking for. It should look something like this (to be clear this is not my time):



Also, have you checked your drag factor? You should absolutely not be using 10, set it to like 4 and check like this:

Service

www.concept2.com

My guess is you aren't driving fast enough/with your legs and you're never really engaging with the fan. Even on a relatively light drag factor you should be able to put full force into it and feel very strong resistance. If you just pull it slowly you'll never get that.

It is extremely unlikely that anything is wrong with your rower, this is 99% going to be a technique issue.

This video in particular is almost certainly your problem:

Resistance scales with what you put into it, if you aren't getting resistance you aren't putting force into it properly.

Viper GTS

 

[Scarpozzi]

You are doing something wrong. Have you watched all of Concept2's videos on how to do this?

Indoor Rowing Technique on the Concept2 RowErg

Learn how to row on the Concept2 RowErg

www.concept2.com

As a starting point, can you go into the memory and take a photo of the summary of your first attempt? The pace/rate data etc is what I'm looking for. It should look something like this:

View attachment 30407

Also, have you checked your drag factor? You should absolutely not be using 10, set it to like 4 and check like this:

Service

www.concept2.com

My guess is you aren't driving fast enough/with your legs and you're never really engaging with the fan. Even on a relatively light drag factor you should be able to put full force into it and feel very strong resistance. If you just pull it slowly you'll never get that.

It is extremely unlikely that anything is wrong with your rower, this is 99% going to be a technique issue.

This video in particular is almost certainly your problem:

Resistance scales with what you put into it, if you aren't getting resistance you aren't putting force into it properly.

Viper GTS

That's a respectable 2000m time, Viper. Were you racing?

I concur. The machine has a clutch in it that only catches once the chain is being pulled at the appropriate speed/force. It's a decent simulation at what would happen when an oar enters the water and resistance climbs as your strokes quicken. Pull with your legs and back, finish the stroke with your arms and touch your chest with the handle as you lean back. Move your arms quick away and then move up the slide more slowly with your legs controlling the movement....then explode with your legs again to start your next stroke. In a real boat, you can watch bad rowers move up the slide too slow because their momentum to the rear of the boat causes it to lunge backwards and cancel some of the forward-motion boat force.

 

[Viper GTS]

That's a respectable 2000m time, Viper. Were you racing?

I concur. The machine has a clutch in it that only catches once the chain is being pulled at the appropriate speed/force. It's a decent simulation at what would happen when an oar enters the water and resistance climbs as your strokes quicken. Pull with your legs and back, finish the stroke with your arms and touch your chest with the handle as you lean back. Move your arms quick away and then move up the slide more slowly with your legs controlling the movement....then explode with your legs again to start your next stroke. In a real boat, you can watch bad rowers move up the slide too slow because their momentum to the rear of the boat causes it to lunge backwards and cancel some of the forward-motion boat force.

I was actually going to go back and edit to clarify that wasn't my time. I just scrolled down /r/rowing until I found a picture that showed what I wanted. I have never been anywhere near that fast.

Viper GTS

 

[Scarpozzi]

I was actually going to go back and edit to clarify that wasn't my time. I just scrolled down /r/rowing until I found a picture that showed what I wanted. I have never been anywhere near that fast.

Viper GTS

Lol....I used to be.....but I was 18-19. There was only a few other guys that had my height when I did crew. I was basically the engine room in an eight and when rowing in a four+, occasionally had the cox yelling at me to backoff because the wimps on the otherside couldn't compensate for my power. (I was spinning the boat)

I haven't been running much so I lost my endurance for exercise lately. Trying to get it back on the Echelon if I can deal with my quads taking most of the load, but just started and haven't been able to time many of the classes yet..so done 2-3 of them. That workout seems to be mostly quads/glutes and not much else unless you stand on the bike. I still haven't cranked more than 15 minutes on it in a serious class because I crank the resistance up to 22-28 and have to stop. (doing that to build muscle faster so I can do it longer) I'll get there, but it's tough getting used to new equipment and the spin concept.

 

[Muse]

Yeah, I figure I just don't know what I'm doing with the machine yet is the answer. I read down in that link in my last post and saw where it says the resistance increases the harder you pull. I obviously didn't get to that kind of action in my brief trial. I had clothes on (pants), a thin T shirt, the room was 78F, I only had 20 minutes before the news came on and I wanted to see that.

Those pictures of those muscled jocks straining on the Model D told me I wasn't doing it right, too! I'll read your posts above carefully. Maybe I'll get into the Concept2 and skate also before the rains come, doubling my intensities!

I have the Model D's back up against the window of the room. From photos I see where I should probably have at least 9-12 inches space back there for hard pull-backs. Space in front is limited. There's maybe 20-24 inches total space in there, but I figure that's adequate. There's a big box fan in the room I needed for the bike trainer. I saw it said that the Model D has its own fan system, but I figure that can't be as effective as a big box fan when you work up a sweat if it's 70F or above and it is an upstairs room and gets warm in the afternoons this time of year.

I watched some video last night but that was with slides. I don't think I have room in there for a slide system. Looks cool. Many years ago I actually built a 14 foot dory row boat from scratch on Maui!

Great video there! Thank you!

 

[Muse]

Lol....I used to be.....but I was 18-19. There was only a few other guys that had my height when I did crew. I was basically the engine room in an eight and when rowing in a four+, occasionally had the cox yelling at me to backoff because the wimps on the otherside couldn't compensate for my power. (I was spinning the boat)

I haven't been running much so I lost my endurance for exercise lately. Trying to get it back on the Echelon if I can deal with my quads taking most of the load, but just started and haven't been able to time many of the classes yet..so done 2-3 of them. That workout seems to be mostly quads/glutes and not much else unless you stand on the bike. I still haven't cranked more than 15 minutes on it in a serious class because I crank the resistance up to 22-28 and have to stop. (doing that to build muscle faster so I can do it longer) I'll get there, but it's tough getting used to new equipment and the spin concept.

My skates have been getting more intense. I was doing them in 40 minutes best a couple weeks ago and now I'm averaging 38 minutes. Best close to 36 minutes. There's nothing I can do to keep my HR up when skating down the gentle hill to the turnaround. I go as fast as I can without scaring myself. Climbing after the turnaround I try to go for it, "fly up the hill," but I can't achieve the speed I'd like. Bikes fly past me. It's to be expected, they aren't fighting the same rolling (and wind) resistance I am. Inline's would be faster, but honestly I feel the extra speed would be no advantage. Maybe more fun but the extra danger is stupid. One fall could screw me up bigtime. I did one fall around 3 years ago and tore my hamstring and the recovery was something like 2 years! At the speeds I'm going down the grade a fall could be catastrophic. I'm wearing a helmet and gloves but still, it's potentially catastrophic.

I try to think of how I thought/felt back in 1985 when I'd run 5 miles around the dirt track at the high school. Try to get those feelings, but I can't seem to make myself breath at maximum intensity. HR gets up to 160 or even higher on my best days, but my lungs don't feel all that taxed. Even my legs. The pain I feel (less now than 2-3 weeks ago) is in my upper-middle back, when I feel it. That's getting a lot better. I figure just be patient. Improvement in endurance events comes slowly. You must stick with it and do it consciously.

 

[deadlyapp]

You don't need any space in front of the rower, but yes leave yourself a good few feet behind the rower because you should be slightly laying back into it for full extension on your pull.

As many others have said, focus on maintaining your SPM in the 18-22 range, while decreasing your 500m split time or increasing your watts. This will help you emphasize pushing with your legs and getting the best drive possible, rather than just rowing faster and tiring yourself out.

I easily can get myself to 180 HR on the concept2 with a hard sprint, or can maintain around 130 with a good consistent 2:00/500m pace.

At your age and experience, the quoted 2:30 / 500m pace is a good target, and may even be challenging to hit there. That would be equivalent to around 600-700 cal/hr if you set it to calories.