Rowing, Concept2 Giveaway, & MizFit tries to regain her youth.

by

People, I havent used an indoor rower since Bush Sr. was in office.

Since (& I kid not) the *first* Beverly Hills 90210 was on TV (Dylan McKay how I adored thee).

Since the freshwoman 25 or so was still firmly wrapped around my waist.

You get the idea.

Recently, however, I decided to shake things up a bit (if by shake things up you mean I was kinda desperate for a Toddler reprieve so I took advantage of the DAYCARE at the gym—–which I do) & revisited my old friend.

Back in the college days I used a rower mainly because we had no other options in the crappy small gym at the division three institution which I attended (any Kenyon Lords or Ladies in the house?).

I loathed it at first, but after a while it grew on me (as much as we decided HERE cardio ever would).

That’s really the reason I decided to row again.

I was feeling nostalgic and curious whether my post-college cardiovascular fitness in *other* arenas would transfer to the rower/make me an immediate phenom (it didnt).

Even though my stamina allowed me to only do about three minutes before I conked out—-I *did* feel WORLDS less stressed when I waltzed back to the daycare to reclaimed my (somewhat less whirling of a) Toddler Tornado.

Which all led me to commence googling & then to this site.

and the rest, as they say, is guest post freebie history.

Row, Row, Row Your Way to a Fit Body

For something different, try an indoor rowing workout. Rowing puts your whole body in motion– working the legs, butt, arms and core.

Judy Geer, a former Olympic rower and a co-founder of Concept2, the rowing company, provides five reasons why women should try indoor rowing for a great cardiovascular workout:

Work it All. Busy schedule? Rowing is an incredibly time-efficient exercise because it uses upper body, lower body, and core muscle groups. At the same perceived effort, rowing burns 10-12% more calories than running and 15-20% more calories than cycling. Spend your time wisely and give your whole body a workout!

Low Impact. Rowing is a seated exercise without the pounding and impact of running. It is a great way to get in longer or harder workouts without putting stress on joints. It’s also completely user-controlled, too, so you can start out easy, and then increase the intensity as you get more fit.

Find Your Motivation. Check out concept2.com where you can create an online logbook, join a virtual rowing team, or compete in virtual rowing challenges to stay motivated.

Mix it Up. Try different types of workouts to keep rowing interesting. Recent research suggests that intervals are the most time-efficient way to improve fitness and burn calories. Create intervals of different lengths and intensities – short steady rows, long steady rows…you name it. The Concept2 Performance Monitor includes suggested workouts, allows you to customize a workout, and tracks your results along the way.

Join the Team. Rowing is a sport. You don’t see elliptical races at the Olympics! When you learn to row, you learn a lifelong sport and join a community. You can find camaraderie and competition at your local boathouse or participate in one of a number of indoor rowing competitions nationwide.

To find an indoor rower near you check out Concept2’s “Find an Indoor Rower” service HERE.

In honor of their MARCH MADNESS CHALLENGE Concept2 has generously agreed to bestow upon one (USA) winner a pair of Concept2 rowing shorts.

All you need to do to join in their challenge (and potentially win other Concept2 prizes) is sign up for an online logbook & get to rowing.

All you need to do to enter to win here is to comment below.

Have you ever tried indoor rowing?

Did you surpass MizFit with your skills? (not hard…)

Have you opted to row nary an indoor stroke? Why?

I *know* you saw (on Tuesday February 17th 2009) contestants on NBC’s popular weight loss show, The Biggest Loser, used the Concept2 Indoor Rower in a special rowing challenge. Were you aware, however, that you can duplicate that entire workout *here*?

Whatever your thoughts please to hit us all up in the comments.

Winner announced Monday.


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Comments

  1. The gym I go to has the worst, oldest, dustiest rowers ever, but hubby and I decided to give it a go one day. I must have been doing something terribly wrong because 20 minutes later and after turning up the resistance at least 3-4 times, I was as even pulsed as when i had walked in. Needless to say, I know NOTHING about rowing! Help!

    Have a great weekend!
    ~rupal

  3. I do love the rowing machine – usually throw in about 10-15 minutes after the rest of my cardio. The only thing I don’t love? The calluses on my hands, even when I wear gloves. I think my gloves are a tad too big!

    I haven’t done my rowing for a few weeks now (time etc) so I think I’ll get back to it tomorrow. Thanks for the reminder!

  4. It really is much harder than I thought it would be. I only lasted 10 min. so I don’t know about long rowing sessions! I do it every now and then for a change, but for cardio, I really prefer to be out running.

  5. I haven’t rowed in EONS.

    For you, Miz, should I win I will try it again.
    I remember it as being so hard!!

  6. Oh, I wish I could row. I’ve wanted to join a rowing team, but alas a torn rotator cuff injury has put that out of the question.

  7. I saw that show of BL when they rowed.

    I didn’t know that the workout was online now I only need to find a rower LOL.

  8. Growing up, we had a rowing machine and a NordicTrak in our house, along with a VERY loud exercise bike. The rowing machine I thought was “fun” (that is until a cat decided to use the seat pad as a litter box, then I wouldn’t touch it). Makes me wonder if I’d STILL like it!

    The NordicTrak made a very nice clothing rack.

  9. Our Y has two Concept2 rowers, which I haven’t used in ages. When I do, I don’t go for time, I just do a 500-meter row as fast as I can, which only lasts a couple of minutes. Good way to get the heart-rate up in the middle of a weight workout if you feel it slowing down.

  11. Miz, I remember that the rowing machine from way back, actually looked like a boat, had the wooden oars and a seat that rubbed your backend raw. Things have taken a very drastic change for the better since that nostalgic time.

  12. My sister-in-law rows on a women’s masters crew team and raves about the workout she gets — both in-season when she’s out on the water and off-season when she’s rowing indoors. I haven’t used a rowing machine in ages but I’ll give it a try!

  14. Oh, I absolutely love rowing. It’s by far my favorite cardio equipment… AND hardly anyone uses the machines, so there’s rarely a line. What could be better?

    (Well, actual “better” would be rowing on the REAL water, but that’s not happening at the moment…)

    Don’t enter me, though… these things never fit me.

  15. I love the rowing machine! I usually do about 30 minutes on it.

    Funny story: last year I was a member of a gym that was having a contest. We were on teams, and each team had challenges to meet each week, and each team was mentored by one of the trainers.

    Our challenge one week was to do a certain distance on the rowing machine within a certain amount of time. I worked my butt off on that machine, and always came up just a tiny bit short. My trainer told me that if he had come that close but not done it, he’d be ashamed of himself. Until. . .

    Now, I want to note that the trainer and I are both short. Very short. He got on the rowing machine and a tall friend of his was on another. They both went to town. The tall person met the challenge no problem. The short trainer didn’t get anywhere close to the distance.

    Ha! Vindication! Tall people can get a lot more distance out of the machine with less work than short people!

    He didn’t give me a hard time about my rowing skills again.

  16. Have you ever tried indoor rowing?
    YES! It’s one of my favorite activities. Especially when you fall into a groove… so fabulous!

    Did you surpass MizFit with your skills? (not hard…)
    If I got on one now, after way too long not working on my carido, my skills and endurance would probably be abysmal too!

  18. Hi MF! I think they should def put together an online book of Fitness bloggers favorite exercises! I’d get that for sure!

    Rowing- I’ve tried it a few times at the gym but not for ageeeeeeeessss.

    Hope you have a great weekend!

  19. How did I miss that on BL?
    I would love to win this so I can pad my bum when I finally try out the gym’s rower.

    thanks Miz!!

  20. I love rowing. I really do. I’m not a huge fan of cardio, but during the time period when I had access to a rowing machine, it was one of my favorites. That’s been many a moon ago, so it’s possible I might not like it so much now.

    I do think it’s a great workout, though. And maybe I just enjoy it so much because I’m, you know, sitting down. I like sitting down. 🙂

    v.

  21. First off, I <3 Dylan McKay. He was definitely my favorite on 90210. Second, I actually have been missing my rowing machine! Last year when I first joined the gym I would row a lot and it helped to whittle my middle away. Then I stopped… and whittle my middle it didn’t. I need to start that up again 🙂

  22. I think I’ve probably spent 5 minutes of my life on a rowing machine, but I think somewhat more time doing upright rows and other moves (that’s a real thing, right?) in the weight room.

    Do you have any suggestions for other exercises that mimic the rowing machine?

    Thanks, Miz!

  23. oooooh shelley GREAT question.

    I always think of those muscles when I do back. SEATED ROW machine. ONE ARM DUMBBELL ROW. Even the LAT PULLDOWN.

    but with regards to cardio exercise?

    Im off to ponder!

  24. When I had my gym membership I did use the rowing machine sometimes. For me, there seemed to always be a strong gravitational pull toward the treadmills, but I did like to change things up so would use the rowing machine for variety sometimes. It was hard work, but I did like it.

  25. I used to love the rowing machine in undergrad. It was a great workout for the time I wanted, ok willing, to give to a workout!

  26. Very cool. I just started using the rowing machine last week in my routine to break the snooze factor. I add five min into my cardio time. So far, loving it. I’m going to check out this workout!

  28. I cannot believe that I have actually done something that you’ve suggested, Miz! Of course, had you made this post four weeks ago, then I would still be an unrower. But I do use one now, and I like it…and yes, I feel like I get a great workout on it!

  29. The Bag Lady has never even seen a rowing machine. She did, however, spend tons of time in a real row boat in her youth. She would row far enough away from the cabin so her parents couldn’t see her light up her forbidden cigarettes!
    She wishes now that she had concentrated on rowing, instead of smoking…..

  30. I used to have a rowing machine/cross-country skiing machine. I usually used it as a skier although I quite liked the rowing. I like sitting down to exercise. I switched to an exercise bike several years ago. The workout isn’t as thorough as rowing, but it’s still sitting down to exercise.

  31. Never really been a fan of the rower. It hurt my back, and I wasn’t really flexible enough to do it properly.

    Now, if they had a kayaking machine, that’d be fun!

  33. You know, up until about a year ago, I’d never tried an indoor rower but then one of my website readers challenged me to try it and I was surprised at what a kick-butt workout it is! I don’t do it on a weekly basis but I definitely mix it in now and then & love it.

    BTW, had to click thru th elink to see what exactly “rowing shorts” are! I didn’t think there was a piece of fitness clothing I’d never heard of but there you go. My curiosity is sated:)

  35. I love/hate rowing. Love it because it’s low-impact and a good break from all the pavement pounding, love it because it’s a full body workout, love it because everyone at my overcrowded gym is afraid of the rowers meaning more rower for me. Hate it because I can’t stay on it for more than 10-15 minutes without it becoming a literal pain in my behind.
    It is a perfect pre-lifting warmup though, since it really warms up everything!

  36. rowing….oh, how I love to hate you! The machine sits in the corner at the gym and stares at me every time I walk to the locker room, as if begging for me to pay attention to it.

    I’ve only done it a couple of times, it does have a cute little fishy game on it. The faster I row the more fish I can eat. I’m not sure if thats some psychological game…because in real life, the more we burn the more we should eat. Correlation? hhmm…

    Thanks for the reminder, I’m hungry for fish.

  37. My husband uses the indoor rower a lot. It’s the only cardio he’ll do. I’ve never gotten into it because I have to have TV stimulation to exercise in place.

  38. I am actually a fan of the rowing machine, although I don’t have access to one right now. I’m planning to row (outside in boat, for fun) this summer and sometimes we row indoors as as practice/training. It’s good stuff! As a person who runs and bikes a lot, it’s nice to give the lower body a break once in a while!

  39. The last time I used an indoor rowing machine was most likely around the same time as you. My parents used to have one at their house that my dad used when it was too cold outside to run. I remember trying to use it several times, and getting frustrated with how quickly my arms tired out.

    I may give it a shot again now that your post has inspired me ^_^

  40. i don’t have a rowing machine, and in fact, have never used one lol…

    but i HAD to comment because, sorry, you can believe differently if you wish, but Dylan was mine. All mine. The rest of you were just dreaming;)

    xo

  41. When I was little (maybe until I was about 10?), my mum had an indoor rowing machine in our basement. I used to play on it while she did awesome 80’s style aerobics with these little 4lbs purple dumbbells. That’s the extent of my rowing experience!

    That being said, I’m totally sold on the idea of rowing. I really want to give it a shot. And I’ve recently re-connected with a high school friend who shares my love for fitness so I think we’ll be starting to go the gym together regularly (me, back in the gym!)… I will see if I can find a rowing machine to play with!

  42. Rowing is one of my favorite accompaniments to running. I far prefer it to swimming, which is the other cardio I use to try to work my upper body. (And I’m sorry, but that Kranking thing? Seems ridiculous to me.)

    However, I felt PAINED watching the Biggest Loser challenge b/c rowing properly is a skill, and doing it correctly is much more efficient (and I imagine safer) than just using your arms to pull– it is as much of a leg driving, core-working exercise as one for the back and arms, as Judy Greer mentions above. I was a little surprised Bob & Jill hadn’t had anyone rowing up to that point simply because it IS such a good total-body workout…

  43. I have actually NEVER tried the rowing machine. I would like to… if/when I join a gym again.

    Main reason for my comment? Dylan McKay. Ah – memories…

  44. I never really got rowing. It got my heart going, but I’m just not that coordinated and kept screwing up the flow of it all…and then I got bored. I’d rather swim or run or do pretty much anything else.

    I hopped on the elliptical, got hooked and never went back.

  45. So Miz, you got me wondering…. With your oft stated aversion to cardio – do you consider yourself to be cardiovascularly fit?
    My definition of this would be that I could run away from a crazed ax murder, if needed. Right now? I would probably die! 🙂 (Although I’m not sure why that is my def., because I do not run – hate running actually – but I can do aerobics for an hour, or ride a bike for an hour, and be okay – it’s a workout, but it doesn’t leave me gasping for breath like running does, so…)

    Anyways, I’m just curious, because that area is one I constatly feel inadequate in.
    Thanks!

  46. We got a rower at my gym. Apparantly the owner accidentally rowed right into the treadmills in front of the rower (we’ve since anchored it better). He wanted to know if I’d done it too, prompting a lecture on the influence of mass on force.

    I can row for 6 minutes 24 seconds. It’s part of my monthly fitness test.

  48. Wow, I actually blogged about rowing this week too! Both of my daughters row (one in high school, one Division 1 college) and we’ve had a Concept 2 machine in our garage forever. But I’ve been scared of it — until Biggest Loser! I thought, wow, OK, if these people can do it, I can at least TRY. My younger daughter spent a session trying to teach me good “form” and also trying not to laugh TOO hard. But I got the basic idea and have been doing 20-minute sessions since then. It is an INCREDIBLE workout and I have been excited to bring my average times down every time.

    Oh, I SO wish that I could use that Biggest Loser template thing, but I have a Mac… any suggestions? Both daughters are dying to know at what level they were rowing at — can anybody tell me? (ie, at what level the meter changed to yellow and then red?) They were like, WHAT WERE THEIR SPLITS? My daughter’s entire D1 team watched the episode with great excitement. This is their life!

  50. I used to do a rower. I loved it. Our current gym doesn’t have one, though. I searched after the last rowing discussion, and was quite disappointed.

    I am considering trying an on-the-water-actually-go-somewhere rowing club. But not this year. I’m too busy playing half-marathon this year.

  51. I have a question for you!

    I used to love to row, but I had to stop because it was too hard on the knees (degenerative arthritis and such). But I still wish I could row, somehow. Is there a rowing machine that works just the upper body and leaves the knees out of it? I do dumbbel rows but it just is not the same. Suggestions??

    (And don’t enter me for the shorts. Me in rowing shorts = me having heart attack when looking in the mirror).

  52. Lyn? there are weighted exercises (for example seated row machine or cable) and have you seen KRANKING?

    google it.

    mightcould be just what yer looking for.

    (Ill look for links when back at computer…)

  53. KENYON!!! YEAAA!

    They still use the crappy older equipment (I think even THE rowing machine) in their sparkly new gym.

    You should check it out! I graduated last year and I miss that gym like nothing else in this world.

  54. At the gym where I work, there are almost more rowers than treadmills. It’s always been really odd to me… but I usually give them a go when the treadmills are all full, or I know I need an upper-body workout but don’t have time for a full lifting circuit.

  55. I have tried indoor rowing and loved it! I was actually amazed how tough a work out it is! I’m pretty fit, but when you do all out intervals…WOW..arms and legs are pretty sore. I use a gym boss timer while rowing, really lets me focus on the “flow” and not the clock so much. I initially tried rowing because my upper body had to catch up to my lower body from years of spinning and kick boxing. Between using and over hand/then under hand grip; I have really gained some serious strength. I would really love the opportunity to own my own rower!

  56. I have been on a rowing machine twice. Once, about fifteen years ago I was visiting a friend’s gym, and her daughter’s school sport was crew. The daughter looked around at all the women on rowing machines and snorted (under her breath) “They’re ALL doing it wrong!” She showed me how to do it right, and I found that my knees didn’t like it.
    Then while I was able to go to the Y, I tried it again, and my knees still didn’t like it. But since then, my knees have gotten to where the stationary bike is quite all right, so maybe I could try rowing again, too.

  57. I have never tried indoor rowing, or maybe I have. I think there was one at the Y I used to go that I played with. I do know one thing, those outdoor rowers, are freaking steller!

  58. I only tried rowing recently because it is a big CrossFit activity – the only “machine” that is usually in the gym. It is tough (and a little boring IMO) but definitely a good workout. I am still working on my form because there is definitely a way to do it properly.

  61. unfortunately no access to a gym in my small town yet. If I ever get a home gym, I think that is something I would like to have. One day we are building on to our house and adding a room for a gym. We are space-challenged these days unless hubby gets rid of some of his junk in the garage 😉

    I have NEVER rowed before!

  64. Actually once had a rowing machine we got at a garage sale for $15. Didn’t use it for long (not my thing, I discovered) but I didn’t feel too bad about the investment. Especially since we sold it at the same price the next time we had a garage sale!

  65. The last time I rowed was about the same time you did!! I had to take a weight training class at the local juco and rowing was one of the things I liked most. In fact I just found a used rowing machine on Craigslist that I am seriously thinking of getting. I loved how it made me realize how strong I was and how I could put my larger-than-life thighs to good use!! I loves me some rowing!

  66. Funny you should mention it, because I thought about rowing today… I was in the pool after my less than challenging “Old Dears” aqua class (didn’t make the “real” one) and developed a suspended backwards rowing exercise in water. Should patent it, because it’s awesome! So I thought I should get back on the rowing machine soon! I tried it once about a month ago and loved it. Managed 5 minutes and I definitely felt it!

  67. Until that episode of The Biggest Loser, I had never considered rowing, but I was intrigued by it when I watched the contestants. Unfortunately, my gym doesn’t have a rowing machine. 🙁

  70. I’ve always wanted to do rowing. Once I tried to buy a rowing machine, but I got talked out of it by the salesman who sold me a kind of skiing machine instead. I still think I would have liked a rowing machine better.

    If I’m not mistaken, it was he who said that rowing machines were hard on your back–or it may have been somebody else.

    And I did use the skiing machine from time to time, but then it got burnt up in a fire, relieving me from the tedium of having to use it, the end.

  71. Rowing is so much fun!! OK, I know that statement seems a little too enthusiastic but I mean outside-on-the-water rowing. I’ve never used an indoor machine, but i Was in the best shape of my life when I rowed with the womens team in my area. We rowed Cornish Pilot Gigs (wooden, heavy, beautiful!). THe most challenging day was when I rowed in a race in Hull, MA. It was March 4th, 20 degrees out and blowing 15, with 2-4 foot seas – I never felt sooo GOOD!! I confess that about half a mile from the end i was wishing I could click my heels like Dorothy and be home (and not soaked with sea water!) but, man, I was having a blast and I was in great shape then!! A shoulder injury stopped my rowing fun, but I would highly reccommend it to anyone!

  73. I love the Concept2 rower. It is one of my regular cardio machines at the gym. It would be so great to win authentic Concept2 shorts to wear while rowing!! Ya!

  74. Ah, rowing. 10 years ago, I was a newlywed who excitedly signed up to go on a backwoods portage trip with my husband. This would be our first camping trip together. Did I mention I had never actually camped let alone portage with all belongings in my backpack? For weeks before, I earnestly did the rowing machine at my gym so I could be a pro canoe rower on the trip. The big trip arrived and we portaged and rowed through 3 small lakes that day to get to our site. That night, my arms and shoulders ACHED to the point that I could barely sleep. Rowing machine does not = canoe rowing, haha! 🙂

  76. I have never rowed. I think about it, but then I am too intimidated. I did, finally, locate the rowing machines at my gym, so that’s at least a step in the right direction, right?

  77. Wow! Talk about memories!
    I used to use a rowing machine that I LOVED. It had a video screen of a guy in a boat. When it was time to speed up, the theme from “Jaws” would play, and a shark fin would appear behind the boat. (Luckily I never found out what happened if I slowed down, lol!)

  78. have to admit that I haven’t tried a rowing machine. I don’t think I have seen one at the gym…and I have been to every corner of it. Maybe I am missing it.

  80. When I was young, it was rowing.. but in a ROW BOAT. I was camp champ in our single man rowing competitions. I still love the FEEL of rowing, and would love to have room to have a machine in my home.

    Hard to find a place to put down a boat in the desert… but I’m starting to think that maybe some day I could row the Rio Grande…

  81. haha, i so totally was on the indoor rower at the gym the other day (… okay, like last week).

    *flips back through workout annals*

    i did … 10 minutes for 1875m. not too shabby i think. i actually enjoy the rower and regret not actually doing it in person when i was in school in boston (home to one of the bigger regattas out there – head of the charles).

  82. Since i don’t have anywhere to row at the moment I guess I don’t need the shorts. I am wondering if I can get a decent machine from like Craigslist..or if I need a newer one..some of the old one’s don’t feel like a work out

  84. I work in a very large gym. We have nearly 2 dozen ellipticals, nearly 2 dozen treadmills, steppers, striders, an indoor track…. and two lonely rowers.

    I’ve started using the rower when I do my cardio at work -. but like you, Miz, I don’t last long. It truly is a full body workout, and even the concept2 website says to start off with only 3 to 5 minutes of rowing on your first workout! I look forward to progressing with it.

  85. PS No need to enter me in the drawing – I rarely wear shorts, and haven’t worn clingy shorts like that in a very long time. Better shot for someone else. 🙂

    (OTOH, if you can get some Adidas pants…. I love my Adidas pants!)

  86. I tried the rower for 10 minutes last Friday after yoga class, and I liked it. It sits in the corner of the weight room at the gym, and it doesn’t get a lot of use that I’ve seen. I’ll have to try it on its own sometime, because I’m not sure if the soreness in my upper body was more yoga or rower. (I suspect the yoga–there was a fair amount of upper body stuff in the yoga class–but it could have been a bit of both.)

  87. I’ve tried rowing ONCE in high school. It was really fun and definitely enjoyed it.

    I should try indoor-rowing at the gym sometime. it seems fun but REAL rowing (on a boat) is much more fun, i bet.

  88. I used to row when I was rehab-ing my tired knees – very zen once you get into the rhythm.

    Big tip: tuck in your T-shirt so it doesn’t get caught in the sliding seat! LOL

  89. I had to lol when I saw this post, cause I was JUST on a rower yesterday at the new gym we were checking out- the first time in- oh, well over 14 years. too funny on the timing.

    Anyway, it took awhile to get back into the rhythm of working it. My friend and I started to get a better workout when we started trying to get the numbers on the display screen (distance per min?) up to a certain number. Then we started getting a great workout. I like how it works both the arms and the legs.

  92. HEY! I love the rowing machine… I spend about 30-45 minutes a week on it in addition to my normal cardio to “kick it up a notch”… I do about ten minutes a pop and try to average 2000 meters in that time… my sister who is in her senior year of high school (yes…. she was a surprise gift to my parents in their mid- 40’s) is a rower and got me into it… I love it. It is definitely challenging and I find that more than anything I work some tiny areas that I never get near with the elliptical and treadmill. My ankles get sore because of the fine adjustments for balance… I love it!

    I want to do more but it is easier to just do what I am most familiar with… !

  94. Catchin up on blog reads…

    I used to actually row a rowboat, but I loved rowing machines. First time I tried it at this time going to a gym, I did 10 minutes then minced around the gym. I could NOT extend legs further than about 6″ from each other.

    I do rowing now when I’m warming up but planning to get most of my cardio from my resistance training. Hurts so good.

  95. I would love to try a rower again. I haven’t had the chance since our one little town gym shut down.

    I may have to look into finding one again!

  96. Yesterday my trainer had us in partners rowing for 8 minutes 30 sec each full out. My legs were fried by the end. FUN! I lwould ove a home rower!

  97. Love the rowing machine at the gym. I used to use it a lot but just recently use it for the first time in quite a while. It’s a great workout. I can do it for about 10 min. but at around minute 5 is when I really want to cry but I just keep pushing LOL

  98. I love to row, however I can’t manage more than 5 minutes at a time before I need a breather. It’s a tough full body work out. Plus the screen helps me challenge myself. The arm motion is easier for me to ‘get’ than push/pulling on the handles on the elliptical or AMT.

  99. I just checked out the Concept 2 March Madness challenge… gasped out loud when I realized the challenge is to row 5k PER DAY for the month of March!! I have not been able to do 5K PERIOD. That is hardcore, man. But it inspired me to aspire to that level, someday. Right now I am doing 20 minutes per session (a few times a week) and getting to about 3600. 5K every day? WHEW. Those people aren’t messing around.


  100. Hi Carla–

    Thanks again for including us on your blog. We always love to read the post and the comments! It seemed that there were a few readers who were unsure about rowing and technique. If you’d like, you can let them know to definitely check out the technique resources on the Concept2 website: http://www.concept2.com/us/training/technique.asp

    We recommend starting out with a damper setting (the little lever on the flywheel) between 3 and 5. This mimics rowing in a rowing shell (as opposed to a heavy slow rowboat). The resistance is actually created by how hard you pull; the harder you pull, the more resistance you will feel.

    Best,

    Alexandra/Concept2

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  1. […] Giz on Mar.02, 2009, under Uncategorized MizFit wrote on Friday about the Concept2 rower and  trying it again after many years of not using it.  I work in a gym with tons of cardio […]

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