Rowing machine - worth it?
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Anonymous
Mabye we need a new erg. I cannot hear anything over the sound of our Concept 2. That's part of the reason I hate it. If I could watch or listen to something, it would be better. But the incessant whirring in my head is part of the mental torture for me. |
Anonymous
I actually posted a week or two ago asking about where to learn to row so if you have recommendations I’d love to hear them. I will also say that this is again where the hydrow is great— it is much quieter than than the concept 2 (spouse can do a workout video next to me and probably the loudest sound is my breathing) and it’s not that hard to pretend you are on the water (of course I’m not saying it’s same but given the alternative it’s pretty great). Have also seen reviews saying the hydrow feels the closest to rowing but ymmv. |
Anonymous
| I'm also a Hydrow owner. I've been doing it for 5 days a week for 9 months during the pandemic. I used to do Crossfit. The Hydrow is a lot of fun because of the VR aspect of it. I've been able to maintain quite a bit of leg and arm muscle mass even though I have not been lifting weights, much more than I would have by running or cycling. That being said, it's not the same as lifting weights. But it's a very good solution for keeping muscle mass if you prefer cardio. |
Anonymous
Capital Rowing Club on the Anacostia!! Great club, class, people. I think most rowing clubs have adult learn to row classes, so while I’m most familiar with Capital, there are others nearby that you could look into - I think one in Alexandria? And probably a few others on the Potomac in DC. There’s also a boathouse in bladensburg with a rowing club. |
Anonymous
+1. I’m surprised at how popular the erg has become. I have always known it as a torture device that you have to endure to stay in shape while the water is frozen. |
Anonymous
Hmm...it shouldn’t be so loud. I think it would be hard to watch TV, but you should be able to listen to music. Do you have wireless headphones? |
Anonymous
I don't use the erg the same way that I would run. As in, I don't just get on it for 30-60 minutes and go. Even when I was rowing/coaching at an elite level, we only did workouts like that maybe once a week (maybe a little more in the fall when races are longer). If you want to use it more, look up some workouts online. If you are thinking that 30 minutes is a good amount of time, try something like 3 x 1500m with four minutes rest between each. If you want something truly challenging, try something like 8 x 500m flat out with 2 minutes rest. I promise you won't feel bored! |
Anonymous
| It may have been mentioned already but in case it hasn't, if you get a rowing machine, go to the Concept2 website and find a video that shows you the proper form. Some people buy these machines and don't use them properly. You can strain something that way. |
Anonymous
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Another Hydrow owner here. The thing that makes the Hydrow less excruciating is the coaches who make the workout much less boring by leading you in climbs, sprints, rests, etc. Without them, I would not know how to pace out a workout and would just mindlessly and inefficiently row. I assume it’s a lot like the peloton coaches who make cycling more varied and interesting. I can get a great workout in 15-20 minutes.
The Hydrow also has options for you to just watch a body of water as row, as if you were sitting in the boat yourself. I use that when I need to tune out a bit or have a podcast that I want to listen to. Like peloton, you can subscribe to the app to get the videos even if you don’t have a Hydrow. |
Anonymous
So funny because I feel like you are either an erg person or a bike person, with only total psychos in between. LOL I would personally find a way to dismantle and move an assault bike (or really any stationary bike) out of my home, Shawshank Redemption style, rather than ride it on regular basis. But I love my erg.....love love love. Concept 2 for life. |
Anonymous
| We bought a used Concept 2 at the beginning of the pandemic, when our kids boomeranged home as their colleges shutdown. That baby has paid for itself many times over. I don't think a day has gone by without DH or one of the kids using it. I do not like exercise machines of any sort and I try never to descend to the basement if I can help it (too many bad flashbacks to hosting Girl Scout and lacrosse team sleepovers), but I do believe they watch TV while they row. I frequently hear what sounds like Around the Horn emanating from below |
Anonymous
| We love our waterrower. |