Getting into rowing...

November 26, 2021 1:36 PM

I've come into a WaterRower. I know next to nothing about rowing though have used a Concept2 a few times at the gym. I'd like to use this consistently to lose some weight over the winter. (During warm months I walk about 15 miles per day but hate doing it in the winter). I have a modern Android phone and an "ancient" iPad 3 and an M1 MacBook Air. I don't mind paying for a monthly app. What's the best way to ensure I use this thing properly and stick with it?
posted by dobbs to Health & Fitness (11 answers total)

I have a NordicTrack rower and find the rowing workouts really great. I like seeing ‘scenery’ roll by while rowing. I believe you could experience similar with their iFIT app.
posted by po822000 at 1:57 PM on November 26, 2021 [2 favorites]

If you're open to free options, I highly recommend the Beginner Pete Plan . You can take it as slowly as you'd like, there is no need to try to do it in 24 weeks. For instance, I took 9 months to do it as I focused on technique and went at my own pace due to injuries, etc.

I also highly recommend Dark Horse Rowing's and Rowing Tall's video workouts. (The coach is very tall, you don't have to be tall to use the videos!) Free on Youtube. You can set up your laptop on the floor and row along with the videos. They have great workouts for beginners, great tutorials on form/technique.
posted by skye.dancer at 2:28 PM on November 26, 2021 [7 favorites]

In terms of making sure your form is good, I really like these two videos. They break it down step by step in a way that’s easy to understand and mimic. They’re using Concept2 rowers but obviously the technique is the same for a WaterRower.

Correct Rowing Technique

Common Rowing Technique Errors
posted by not_the_water at 2:29 PM on November 26, 2021 [4 favorites]

Simple but effective for me: I allow myself to watch TV for as long as I can row. Generally that's a sitcom, but sometimes it's a 50 minute drama or a third of a movie. The WaterRower is quiet enough that I can hear ok if I turn up the volume enough, but I find it's nicer to listen through earbuds.

Form is important, but the standard for "good enough so that you don't injure yourself" isn't as strict as "win a race "
posted by Mr.Know-it-some at 2:47 PM on November 26, 2021 [2 favorites]

With the caveat that I haven't used it, asensei is an app that sounds like the type of thing you're asking about. It's a paid subscription service that has coaching, training calendars, guided workouts and the like. I think it integrates with the WaterRower, and you'd use it on the iPad while rowing.
posted by cyclopticgaze at 3:20 PM on November 26, 2021 [2 favorites]

Came in to recommend Dark Horse Rowing on YouTube as well. I learned to erg at rowing club in the off season, and admittedly can be unfairly critical of the form of people who are clearly self taught. His technique is solid.
posted by Juniper Toast at 3:22 PM on November 26, 2021 [1 favorite]

Fitness+ has rowing workouts if you are in the Apple ecosystem.
posted by oceanjesse at 3:50 PM on November 26, 2021

Lucky you!

I think any interval program would be fine - like, you could use a Couch to 5K running app and switch between gentle and tiring rowing instead of "walk" and "run".

But I would spend money to have an actual fitness coach or rower watch me on video to check my form, maybe twice in the first month and again 3mo out, just to make sure I didn’t use my stronger muscles to hurt my back. (Crew team in college, where we relied more than we should on the healing power of being 19. OTOH I’ve been coasting on the posture benefits ever since.)
posted by clew at 4:47 PM on November 26, 2021 [1 favorite]

I got a used concept2 and some research on r/rowing led me to land on just doing "steady" state rowing at about a two-minute split at 20 strokes per minute. That has been working really well for me. I can get into a rhythm with some music on or watching a show. I have a chest strap style heart rate monitor that I really like using to adjust my stroke rate or effort to try and get to 160bpm and then keep it there.

There is some research that suggests steady state with lots and lots of volume is ideal but unless you're an Olympic rower there probably isn't of difference between programs. Try some stuff and see what you like and stick with that.
posted by VTX at 7:51 PM on November 26, 2021 [3 favorites]

I have been rowing on a Concept 2 for the past 5 months, 30 to 60 minutes per day. I listen to lectures on YouTube and audiobooks while I row. It really helps me maintain focus while working and generally improves my mood and disposition. Some people say the find it boring, but I just like the ability to do a full body workout every day with a single machine to maintain overall fitness. One thing that works for me is I don't shower until I have completed my daily workout. I have not missed a single day in 5 months, so that seems to work for me.
posted by metatuesday at 9:07 PM on November 27, 2021

I am just finishing the six week intro course asensei offers. It is geared for people who eventually want to compete and is pretty challenging, which I didn’t know before I started it. I’ve enjoyed it as I have made clear and significant progress. I think the intro is free though they of course try and get you to sign up for a subscription by offering a discount. I took the offer and will try the other courses they offer once I am done with this one.
posted by procrastination at 4:39 PM on November 28, 2021