Indoor rowing and Concept 2 rowing machine

[eric winkler]

Anyone have an experience with indoor rowing and the concept 2 rower.  Can you recommend rowing as a cross fitness sport for cycling.

Best Regards,

Eric Winkler

[Andy Towlen]

Yes, excellent. Especially if you get the stroke & rhythm correct. Great full body exercise. 

Andy

On Jan 16, 2023, at 9:51 AM, eric winkler <met...@gmail.com> wrote:

Anyone have an experience with indoor rowing and the concept 2 rower.  Can you recommend rowing as a cross fitness sport for cycling.

Best Regards,

Eric Winkler

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[Jonathan O'Keeffe]

Hi Eric - 

I've had a Concept2 for about ten years, have been using it intermittently over that period, but more this winter than in any of the past few years.

It's a terrific workout, stresses the whole body, works the legs pretty hard, and creates an aerobic workload pretty similar to cycling.  I use it on days that I'm not riding, to give my legs a bit of a break while still getting a good aerobic workout.  I don't know how much it's helping my cycling specifically, but it feels good, and there's lots of overlap between the rowing world and the cycling world, so something there must be working.

Just like riding a bike on a trainer, it can be pretty boring by itself, unless you're data-focused and like staring at numbers on a screen (which I do).  If that's not your jam, again similar to indoor cycling, there are various apps akin to Zwift and Rouvy that can give you a more immersive experience, and connect you to others online in real-time. 

The machine itself is awesome, built like a tank and suitable for commercial use.  There are lots of other rowers out there, but Concept2 is the top of the line.  They also make a bike version and a ski version which use the same resistance unit, but I don't have firsthand experience with those.

- Jonathan

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[Joe Jewett]

I like the ski version myself. Whenever I go to the gym that’s one of the machines I work out on. I’m not sure if I could justify the price of owning one though.

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[Roger Stawasz]

Eric,

I agree with what everyone has contributed so far, especially Andy's comment about technique. I started using a concept 2 rower last winter at the gym I go to but then stopped after experiencing rather severe back pain a few weeks into using it. As with many older people I have some degenerative disc disease that just made continuing with the rowing machine risky. Whether better technique would have made a difference is unknown...and at this point I'll probably never find out now. For the same reason (lower back issues) I no longer do things like traditional squats or deadlifts. Hope this helps.

Roger

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[Jami Albro-Fisher]

I have a Concept 2 and it’s great.  Technique definitely makes a difference with stress on the back - if you do it right it won’t cause you problems.  Northampton Community Rowing does winter classes where you could try one out and learn the right technique.

- Jami

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[eric winkler]

Thanks to everyone who responded, all your comments were helpful as were a few youtube videos on form.  I just received and set up my concept 2.  Delivered fedex in a day and a half.  Set up was really easy and looks to be good quality.  Downloaded the ERG App and will start my new adventure.  I think my wife is going to use it as well.

Thanks again.

Eric

[Brian Ogilvie]

I'm coming late to the discussion, but I've had a Concept2 rower for over 17 years and have used it on and off over that time. It's especially good if you have extra weight and want a lower impact exercise. Form is important; a lot of new rowers go too fast and don't allow sufficient time for a smooth recovery. The PM5 power curve display can help you get a uniform output on the drive. And if you're older or have back problems, don't push too hard. I'd also advise core strengthening exercises if you don't already do them—but that's a good idea for all of us, especially as we age.

Brian

On Thu, Jan 19, 2023 at 1:28 PM eric winkler <met...@gmail.com> wrote:

Thanks to everyone who responded, all your comments were helpful as were a few youtube videos on form.  I just received and set up my concept 2.  Delivered fedex in a day and a half.  Set up was really easy and looks to be good quality.  Downloaded the ERG App and will start my new adventure.  I think my wife is going to use it as well.

Thanks again.

Eric

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Brian W. Ogilvie <bwog...@gmail.com>
Hadley, Massachusetts, USA
http://www.pobox.com/~ogilvie

[Steve Weller]

With the cold and wet spring we've been having, you might be getting more use out of your Concept2 then planned!

If you haven't yet checked out some of the resources on the Concept2 website, they've got some great videos demonstrating proper technique, and also offer workouts of the day (WODs) that you can program right into the rower's head unit.

I'm a bit late to the party here, so you may have seen that info already, but thought I'd pass it along anyway.  The erg can be a great cross training tool for cyclists as long as your form is dialed in!

Best, 

Steve