Rowing Machine

jimmythecuckoo

I am seriously considering this for the winter to go alongside the turbo and try and get a bit more overall conditioning.

Does anyone use one and if so are their real tangible benefits to justify any outlay on equipment?

Thanks in advance.

dw300

jimmythecuckoo wrote:

I am seriously considering this for the winter to go alongside the turbo and try and get a bit more overall conditioning.

Does anyone use one and if so are their real tangible benefits to justify any outlay on equipment?

Thanks in advance.

You'll use a lot of muscle groups, which will mean high heart rates. So if you simply want insensity, then great. But you might as well do the same intensity and have your legs do all the work, which will benefit your cycling more. If you're wanting to increase upper body endurance then by all means go fot it.

jimmythecuckoo

The amount of niggly neck and lower back injuries I have had over the years makes me think that some proper concentrated effort of my upper body might benefit me longer term.

That's the logic.

Station

I do far more hours on the rowing machine that I do on the bike these days. In the same way as bike fit, etc is important its important to get the rowing technique right to avoid injury. Common faults are using the arms too much or not opening the back at the right time, both of might cause you problems with your niggles.

Rowing does work the upper body, but its still about 70% legs iirc. If you're really pulling hard with the upper body at a high drag factor as commonly seen in gyms, theres an increased risk of injury. Its also quite a limited range of upper body movement so it can be helpful to complement rowing with appropriate weights to try and keep everything in balance.

That said, I feel much better in a whole body kind of way since increasing the rowing and my upper body looks better for it. IMHO both sports are good complements to each other and are useful for cross training where that's appropriate, but the biggest effect of rowing on your niggles might just be spending time off the bike while maintaining your activity level.

kingstonian

What rowing machine are you looking to get? Some are worthwhile, some are shite.

And if you haven't rowed before, make sure you learn the right technique or you will do yourself some damage.

jimmythecuckoo

Not sure, I don't to spend much as it will be sat in the garage during the cycling season.

dw300

jimmythecuckoo wrote:

Not sure, I don't to spend much as it will be sat in the garage during the cycling season.

I wouldn't wother then. From talking to a rower, if you buy something that doesnt have 'Concept 2' written on it then you are probably wasting your money.

jimmythecuckoo

Slightly above my budget then

Might stick to jogging as an alternative and to give the mind a break from bashing the pedals round.

shockedsoshocked

You can rent a Concept 2 relatively cheaply. Look for second hand ones too. They're a fantastic training tool in my opinion. Would love to own one myself.

lawrences

Seconding what dw300 has said.

Unless you get a rowperfect which costs even more than a concept 2 then a rowing machine won't be worth it's weight as scrap.

You also mention you have a bad back so you're going to have to work on rowing technique to avoid aggravating that injury.

I'm not trying to put you off. I rowed for 9 years and hated/loved rowing machines because they were such thorough exercise.

Try and get an older concept 2 second hand. One were only the seat slides. If you get a newer one with a moving footplate you may just end up making yourself nauseous unless you've got good timing.

kingstonian

madasahattersley wrote:

I always try to warm up for 5 minutes on the Concept 2 before hitting the weights which I think is supposed to be quite a high end rower.

Always get bored after 3 minutes and hop off though. I can't imagine possibly consistently using one in the comfort of my own home, nor could I ever imagine spending a full 7 minutes or however long you're supposed to on one.

When I was rowing, I would regularly be doing 30-40 minute ergo sessions. Funnily enough, monotony wasn't the issue, it was the sheer physical exertion and likelihood that my lungs would explode out of my chest that I concentrated on.

I guess there's real similarity to a session on the rollers or a turbo.

jimmythecuckoo

I had a treadmill in my garage which was pretty good but lent it out... might get that back instead

I am not sure I wouldn't mash my already creaky spine.

Vslowpace

When I used my c2 rower a lot I found it helped my cycling fitness especially the cv side.

You need a certain mentality to use them though, similar to that required to do a turbo session. If you don't like the turbo I can't see the erg being a joy.

danlikesbikes

jimmythecuckoo wrote:

The amount of niggly neck and lower back injuries I have had over the years makes me think that some proper concentrated effort of my upper body might benefit me longer term.

That's the logic.

Jimmy if it's lower back injuries your after resolving you might be better concentrating on core exercises first as a rowing machine may add to your issues if your weaker in your core/lower back to start with.

FWIW they are a pretty good bit of kit for working out, but if it's simply your injuries you are worried about you might want to consider some free weight/body weight only exercises centred about strengthening and conditioning those areas specifically

oldhairylegs

If you are going to buy one, then go for the Concept 2 - they are well worth the extra cost.

They really are a great training aid and if you are prepared to put in the effort will open up a whole new world of pain! :shock:

pollys_bott

Kingstonian wrote:

madasahattersley wrote:

I always try to warm up for 5 minutes on the Concept 2 before hitting the weights which I think is supposed to be quite a high end rower.

Always get bored after 3 minutes and hop off though. I can't imagine possibly consistently using one in the comfort of my own home, nor could I ever imagine spending a full 7 minutes or however long you're supposed to on one.

When I was rowing, I would regularly be doing 30-40 minute ergo sessions. Funnily enough, monotony wasn't the issue, it was the sheer physical exertion and likelihood that my lungs would explode out of my chest that I concentrated on.

I guess there's real similarity to a session on the rollers or a turbo.

Many happy memories* of winter 10k ergo sessions trying to hold 2 min/500m pace and rating 18/20... I'd be lucky to do 3k at that pace now

No better bit of kit for an all-over work-out.

*this may not be true

zhang

I rowed for a few years at university and have to agree with the above sentiments that ergs are unbeatable for intensity. If you want to really push your heart rate up and do high intensity intervals ergs are definitely a good way to go. I remember great vomit inducers including 8x500m with 1 minute rest and 5x3mins flat out. Rowing is more of a full body workout than cycling is, but it's still mainly your legs and core that do the work.

Having said all of that, if it were up to me to do winter base training I'd much rather sit on the turbo than on a rowing machine for long periods of time. Mainly because it's quite difficult to watch TV when you're moving back and forth on the erg! (Though a few of my rowing friends say they listen to audiobooks when they do steady state training)