Rowing

[Bron]

Well, The other similarity between rowing and cycling is that they are both sports you do sitting down.....

Regarding back problems; I have rowed for over 10 years now (several of which at elite level) and have never had a problem. However, I was lucky to have some good coaches who spent a lot of time telling me to sit up straight. The key seems to be to make sure your back and stomach muscles are strong and then remember to use them while you are rowing. Often back injuries result from trying to pull hard with poor technique.

For technique while using a rowing machine, the conceptII website http://www.concept2.com/05/default.asp has some tips.
Try: http://www.concept2.com/05/rower/rower_alex_anim.html

http://www.concept2.com/05/training/...ingstarted.asp

The last link even has an address to send off for a free technique DVD.

One thing that I think of when training at lower intensities is to breathe in time with my rowing, so that as I push off with my legs, I start breathing out, at the same time using my stomach and back muscles to keep me sitting up straight.

I hope this helps.
Bron

[plantluvver]

I rowed for a little while. It really strengthened my core, and helped my back problems (well except for carrying the ancient, heavy wooden eight back to the shed ) But once, I tried a garbage home rower. This is not the same as an ergometer at all.

But technique is important, and did not come naturally to me. In fact, I found the coach's instruction to be very unnatural to what I would have done on my own.

Rowing and cross country skiing are the two sports where I have been able to work at my highest intensity. Other sports, I just haven't been strong enough, and I've never been quick at anything (well maybe crochet ). I think it is getting all the muscle groups going at the same time. Other sports, I run out of breath, or my heart rate gets too high, and I just can't keep going.

[hellosunshine]

i usually swim to complement the bike,and so my upper body keeps trim!!!due o all the germs in the pool etc etc im now wondering if rowing is a better alternative?the up and coming timetrialliss in this country all seem to be ex olympic rowers...........

[Bron]

Why now give it a go, but be warned, it can be addictive!

Most rowing clubs are happy for someone to turn up for a few sessions just to see if you like the sport and you could always try these people:
http://www.stratford-rowing.co.uk/index.htm

Alternatively, must gyms in the UK now have a concept 2 rowing machine. Like swimming, the corect technique takes a little practice, so get someone who knows what they are doing to show you. Also, like swimming, rowing is much kinder to your joints than running.

The rowing equivalent to a time trial is called a "head race" and they usually take place on rivers in the winter. One of the best known ones is the "Head of the River Race" over the championship course of 4 1/2 miles in London.

Have fun!
Bron

[Ninabike]

I started rowing with a club a few months ago. Unfortunately the time involved - the time of day when the water was good for rowing- just didn't fit into my schedule on a consistent basis. So I ended up getting a Concept 2 and that has been great. I learned the correct technique from the club instructor for erging. The on-the-water rowing is a whole other thing!! - takes a LOT of practice. Since my time is limited, I decided to spend what time I have on the bike, and erg at home on my C2. It is really great for strengthening the core.

Nina

[hellosunshine]

brilliant!im going to give it a go then,i will be limited to an indoor rower,aim to ge really stuck into it when the racing season is over.


just done a really naff race. ............maybe something to do wih racing when ive just had a dose of "delhi belly!"..........mood swings now

[tygab]

I have never rowed, but I was the coxswain (that's the boat yeller) for our uni's jv mens team for a year and it gave me an appreciation of the erg I will never let go of. The best thing is the new gym I joined has two and they are NEVER in use. Unfortunately, one appears to be in a state of disrepair, but the other is fine and now that I am already being forced indoors due to darkening days, I will be using it in my fall/winter training regimen, which will ultimately be some weirdo rotation of swimming-running-cycling-rowing. I have to figure it out exactly, lol. Anyway, used one for the first time in several years and clicked away.

The concept II is a great machine and I'd love to have one for my dream fitness room, someday. In the meanwhile, I will hoard it to myself at the gym. I don't know why more people don't use them, they are great! I love the allover workout it gives me. As for getting bored, between the ipod, my hrm, and the display telling me how fast I'm going and how far I've gone, I manage to stay entertained.

I was looking at the Concept web page and they do indoor erg racing! Sounds like something to keep things interesting.

Edit, and I should add I like to kayak too. There are run, bike, kayak tris now. I'm going to do one next year for sure, just have learned of them only recently. I think you can also make teams for them.

[Bron]

We've just moved house and at long last I have room for my concept 2! I also have much respect for these machines having spent far too much time on them over the last ten years.

The concept 2 webpage is a really good resource, for HelloSunshine, the British site is www.concept2.co.uk and there are diagrams of technique on there, training plans and details of indoor rowing competitions.

Obviously it doesn't beat actually being out in a boat, but it's an excellent workout. My tip for any beginners is not to set the resistance on the machine too high, especally when you are still getting familiar with the technique. I usually have it set at 3-4.

Bron

[hellosunshine]

the gal that won the british time trial championships this year was an ex olympic rower,rebecca romero,something like her third ever bike race!!!!!!BLIMEY,SO..............my last 2006 race was sunday and today was day one rowing,first 5mins were dullish mental struggle then BANG!i got hooked,just did 20 mins as wasnt too sure how id be after,oddly my thighs hurt more than upper body,but i do do weights and i had a bit of a shin strain for 6 hrs after,but fine now,fab!idea is to become mighty strong for the 2007 season.look up on the concept 11 website,theres pics of rowing technique,i did mine infront of a glass french door so i could check my reflection/position etc.


wow!sunday i was racing in shorts,but today,frost ans thermals,whats happened!?padded bra weather over here.

[Bron]

..my last 2006 race was sunday and today was day one rowing,first 5mins were dullish mental struggle then BANG!i got hooked,just did 20 mins as wasnt too sure how id be after,oddly my thighs hurt more than upper body,but i do do weights and i had a bit of a shin strain for 6 hrs after,but fine now,fab!idea is to become mighty strong for the 2007 season.look up on the concept 11 website,theres pics of rowing technique,i did mine infront of a glass french door so i could check my reflection/position etc.
.

Feeling that you have used your legs is good - you should be pushing off each stroke with your legs first so it sounds like you have everything right.
Do you have your own erg?
I always play music to erg to (the cheesier the better) and it really seems to help get into a rhythm especially during the first ten minutes.

Happy rowing,
Bron

[hellosunshine]

as ni do it in the garage i think my neighbours would be answering YES SHE DOES DO IT TO MUSIC!!!!!!

[hellosunshine]

do you lot find your max hr on a rowing machine is less than on a bike?i thought mine would be on par or even more...........its not BY ANY MEANS.........

[Bron]

do you lot find your max hr on a rowing machine is less than on a bike?i thought mine would be on par or even more...........its not BY ANY MEANS.........

Good question. My maximum heart rate is higher on the rowing machine although this could be partly because when I cycle I am generally trying to work on endurance and don´t spend that much time flat out. The other thing to remember is that if you haven´t been rowing for that long, you may still be working on getting the best technique - I´ve been rowing for over ten years now, so I don´t even need to think about how to row and can concentrate on really pushing myself hard.

I´ll wear my HRM next time I go cycling and let you know which is higher.

Bron

[summer]

the gal that won the british time trial championships this year was an ex olympic rower,rebecca romero,something like her third ever bike race!!!!!!BLIMEY,SO..............my last 2006 race was sunday and today was day one rowing,first 5mins were dullish mental struggle then BANG!i got hooked,just did 20 mins as wasnt too sure how id be after,oddly my thighs hurt more than upper body,but i do do weights and i had a bit of a shin strain for 6 hrs after,but fine now,fab!idea is to become mighty strong for the 2007 season.look up on the concept 11 website,theres pics of rowing technique,i did mine infront of a glass french door so i could check my reflection/position etc.


wow!sunday i was racing in shorts,but today,frost ans thermals,whats happened!?padded bra weather over here.

Watch that 'shin strain'. I used to have a similar problem from running (allegedly shin splints) and it came on real quick on the rower. I started to get a similar 'strain' in my shins during time trials and climbing on the bike. The verdict? Compartment syndrome. Wish I'd known that twenty years ago! I've now had it fixed surgically, am about to get back on the bike, row and even run again! If your shin pain persists on the rower, or you get it running, talk to your GP about compartment syndrome. Looks like there could be a lot of people oput there with shin strain/bruising/splints that have actually got compartment syndrome, and teh management of this is very different! In the meantime, enjoy your rowing; my husband rowed for Scotland and now seems to be able to do just about anything sporty successfully! Hate him!

[beetle]

I bought a C2 just after I had my son to get fit again and lose weight as I did a fair bit of on-the-water rowing at school and uni but can't commit to a OTW crew at the moment. I love it and though it can sometimes be a bit borring I've found the online forum (I use thhe UK one though the US one is good too) a fantastic motivating tool. There is also an online challenge every month that anyone can enter and suits middle of the road people like me. Or for another option the Nonathlon site adjusts times for varying distances for gender, weight and age to give a points score so that you don't always feel like you are comming last.

As a sort of experienced rower and new cyclist I am so excited to here that so many of you think that rowing helps your riding.

do you lot find your max hr on a rowing machine is less than on a bike?

Mine is way higher on the bike but I think at the moment that is because I am pretty tense on the bike as trying to improve a lot oof technique flaws.