Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with rowing

Not just any boat, but at Shel-Ca-yak-atemer-noe

DetonatedManiac — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 13:11:14 -0800

WaterSportFilter: I want to buy a small versatile Kayak like watercraft. I have different (competing?) things I'd like it to do (Paddle AND Row; single and tandem riders) can I get all of this into one boat? Are there available modifications? What should I get? I got a chance to use "hybrid, open top ocean kayak / canoe" at the coast a few weeks ago. It was amazing. I want to get one but I know very little about kayaks and similar craft.

What I would like to use it for:

1)Exploring various waterways: Lakes, Coastlines, Rivers--NOT whitewater.
2)Fishing.
3)Exercise (see below)
4)Eventually it may be an extra tender when I get a larger Sailboat.

As two added twists I have these additional requirements:

First - I will often use this boat by myself, but it MUST be able to accept a second paddler/passenger,

Second - This is more wishful thinking I believe, but, while I like paddling most of the time just fine, I'd really like to have a modular retrofit or add-on or something (??) so I can use the craft as something like a recreational shell rowing setup as well. Mostly for the exercise (I hear that rowings gives a good full body workout) and because it seems more elegant. But to be clear, I don't intend to race or anything, and it is OK if the "performance" of this aspect of the boat is compromised.

I expect that last requirement forces me to buy a completely separate boat, in which case I can do without it, but if possible I'd like to get all of this in one packager (or maybe with a little custom fabrication on my part?).

Thoughts, recommendations?

Using the rowing machine for resistance training.

arha — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 13:27:55 -0800

How much of my resistance training can I replace with 15 minutes/session on the rowing machine? I have come to the conclusion that I despise the weight machines at the gym for a variety of reasons. I have been considering replacing the majority of my resistance training on the machines with 10 - 15 minutes on the rower.

My question is, what muscle groups am I missing out on here? Is this a reasonable substitution? I have access to free weights and I don't mind working with them to make up for any shortfall.

I was coached in rowing for a couple of years so assume I have good form. My goals are toning up and improving my fitness level rather than weight loss at this point.

How do I get my blade home?

iona — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:06:14 -0800

Long time listener, first time caller: Any globetrotting rowers or shipping pros out there? I need to transport a rowing oar overseas, and I don't want it damaged. I'm planning to check it on my flight as 'sports equipment', but any advice or alternate suggestions are welcome. More details inside. I have a trophy oar (a 'blade') in England, and I want to bring it home to Canada with me when I fly back in a few weeks' time (on Air Canada, if it matters). It's a wooden macon, ~3.5m long, and comes apart into two roughly equally-sized pieces. The oar was well-used before becoming a blade, so it's already a bit roughed up and I don't mind a few more dings on the main body of the oar. However, the blade face has been custom painted and varnished, and I definitely do not want anything to happen to it - scratching of paint or varnish, snapping of blade face, etc all would be very bad.
My tentative plan is to wrap up the two pieces separately, with bubble wrap and a cardboard shield around the blade face, and check them as baggage on my flight. I'm worried if I try to wrap the two pieces together they'll jostle and bang into each other and cause damage. I'm very keen not to incur any damage to my blade, but I can't spend a fortune on this (otherwise I'd build some fancy custom wooden crate) - so any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Help my palms survive my love of the rowing machine

TravellingCari — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 19:39:22 -0800

I exercise on a rowing machine ~4 times a week and while I love the benefit to my body, I hate what it does to my poor palms in the form of calluses. Suggestions? A personal trainer at the gym recommended weight lifting gloves and I found a pair at Modell's but they were expensive ($49.99) and didn't fit right. I'm a petite woman so size may always be an issue, but I tried on these biking gloves (someone in-store's recommendation) and they fit. Padding appears to be in the right spot, but of course a sales person said "Oh no, you'll get severe damage from those", and went to point out $70 gloves. I don't buy "Severe damage" since I haven't had any such thing in the last two months...

I also considered batting gloves, but I thought my hands would get too hot. So, any suggestions? Quantity of responses to questions about rowing seem to indicate there's a knowledgeable population here. A search on rowing gloves gave me what appear to be gloves suitable for wet, outdoor weather -- but that's not what I need. Basically, I just want something with cushioning at the base of the fingers.

I'd like not to spend a fortune, but I row regularly so these would get good use. Preference for those sold in brick & mortar stores so I can try them on (in Manhattan so finding sales locations won't be a huge issue) but I don't need step by step, info. I'm happy to do leg work with brand names.

Thanks again for your help

How can I get out on the water in Portland, Oregon?

Post-it Goat — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 12:11:46 -0800

How can I get out on the water in Portland, Oregon? When I visited Boston a friend took me out sailing on the Charles river. They had some sort of community program where you could take lessons and then take out boats you were certified for. It was a lot of fun, so I'm wondering if there's anything similar, not too expensive, in Portland. Rowing might be interesting too, or just some way to boat around without actually owning a boat. I have lots of experience listening to Sloop John B, if that helps?

How can a dangly man scull comfortably?

kittyprecious — Wed, 07 May 2008 06:40:26 -0800

Please help me solve a problem with the, er, anatomical logistics of men's rowing. Thanks to years of long-distance running and cycling, I have thighs like ham hocks...which is great, but I recently decided that it would be nice to balance things out and work on having some upper-body strength too.

I just joined a rowing class and it's good so far, except somehow the combination of the rowing motion and having meaty legs means my man parts keep wandering down into uncomfortable (and squeeze-prone) places--which to say the least is rather distracting. I don't really know my coaches well enough yet to ask them about this, especially not in front of my (co-rec) classmates.

To address the obvious: I already wear briefs. (I mean, I'm a runner; testicular support is very important.) Do experienced rowers have some trick for keeping things up out of the way?

How do you attack a sailing ship with a fast rowing-boat?

TheophileEscargot — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 02:22:59 -0800

How do you attack a sailing ship with a fast rowing-boat? I've just finished "The Pirate Wars" by Peter Earle. He says that one tactic used by navies against pirates was to use fast rowing boats (cutters or barges) to pursue the pirates through the shallows, often in long chases.

Pirates also sometimes used canoes to attack merchant shipping, in presumably the same way.

Unlike the Mediterranean pirate galleys with a cannon in the prow, these boats seem to have been armed only with muskets. Nor did they have the element of surprise as with a cutting-out expedition.

Why didn't they get blown to pieces with cannon-fire before they could board?

How do you go about storming a ship from a boat anyway?

What is the most efficient way of exercising on the rowing machine?

dragontail — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 15:43:58 -0800

What's the most efficient way of exercising on the rowing machine? Got any tips? So I've got a 30-45mins for a bit of erg/rowing machine training, including a short warmup. What's the best way to use this time for maximum burn? Also, time or distance... choices, choices. I've heard some say to go for a solid 30min/5-7km row, and others saying intervals of varying lengths. Which is the way to go?

Also, given the choice of exercising before breakfast, before dinner, or 10-11pm, which one would you go for?

Finally, as a bonus, fire away if you have any tips for the last 25%... it always kills me bad.

Rowing machine for a small area?

jbickers — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 06:58:49 -0800

Please recommend a good rowing machine for a small space. I hate cardio but need to do more of it, and I've identified the rowing machine as a device that I might enjoy (and it seems to give a great workout). But I've got a small space to work out in. Could you please recommend a good rowing machine that folds up and tucks away easily when not in use? (Note that I'm not joining the team, so it doesn't have to be a world-class, top-of-the-line. Just want the basics.)

Alternately, I suppose I'm open to any other great cardio machines that work well in a small space, tuck away easily and don't cost a fortune.

Rowing Machine Recommendations on a budget

thelost — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 15:55:55 -0800

alternative rowing machines to the expensive concept 2's? I want to buy my first rowing machine. I've spoken to friends and they all recommend the Concept2 series, the same seems to hold true on Ask.Mefi as people like it here too.

Unfortunately, the Concept2 is pretty expensive and while not beyond my means, I would rather start off with something cheaper. Can anyone recommend cheaper alternatives? What advantages would I lose?

Don't rock the boat, baby

solotoro — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 15:23:16 -0800

I want to buy a cheap inflatable boat rugged enough to go fishing in. I live by a lake in Georgia, which is where I would be fishing. Since sometime this winter I plan to move, the lack of a long lifetime is not an issue. Cost, size, and durability for this summer/fall are.
I need something small enough/compressible enough to throw in the trunk of my car (an older Honda Accord). So far, googling indicates my best options are Sea Eagle, Intex, or Sevylor - at least, those are the brands that are both cheap AND claim to be durable enough for fishing - I don't want a stray fishhook to ruin my day! I've also come across the idea of a kickboat, though I'd rather something easy to row (part of the reason I want to do this is the workout aspect).
So, any particular brand/model recommendations? Any advice on what I should be looking for in the specs (e.g. PVC vs. PU/PVC)?
I'd mostly be going alone, and would be willing to spend about $300 max.

Working out at home

johnsmith415 — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 10:23:10 -0800

What's the best (and cheapest) workout equipment for my small place? I'm moving into a smaller place (550sq/ft) that doesn't have a gym in the building or anywhere nearby. I do a lot of running and indoor rowing (on a concept2 machine) right now, but it looks like running will be my only viable option soon, so I'm thinking of buying some sort of machine that will fit in a corner or under a bed. I've been looking around a bit, and I'm just getting increasingly confused by the various claims.

I'm not looking to build muscle, so I don't have a need for anything heavy duty, but I'd like something that will predominantly focus on my upper body. Rowing has been great for me, and I'd ideally like to keep that up.

So far, I've been leaning towards buying either a "Total gym 1000" or a cheap rowing machine (under $400-500). So, I've basically got 2 questions...is the Total Gym worth it and are there any cheap rowing machines out there that provide a similar experience to that given by a Concept2 machine (I don't really care if it has a complex computer system)? Any rowers out there who have tried a wide variety of machines willing to share their experiences?

PS. I live in Vancouver, Canada, so I need something that can be purchased there...

The Paris Crew music

aclevername — Thu, 04 May 2006 19:09:50 -0800

Need to identify the music from a Canadian Heritage minute. My mother really likes the background instrumental to the Heritage minute for "The Paris Crew" which you can view here.

I would like to be able to identify it for her and somehow obtain it. I have googled much, and searched the Historica site, to no avail.

Anyone know what this is called and who performs it?

Desire to exercise + bad joints = ?

namespan — Sat, 07 Jan 2006 14:07:44 -0800

Desire to exercise + bad joints = ? . Should I try to find some kind of trainer or sports therapist? Should I look into some kind of machine (I'm considering rowing or eliptical), and if so what do I look for in quality machines? Should I just go to a gym for a few months, try some things on my own and see what feels good? I used to jog, but I've been out of the habit for 3-4 years, and now my feet and ankles are troubled and going is just impossible. Hell, some days walking is painful. I need some kind of exercise, though, because I increasingly feel like crap and I'm getting fat and this does not bode well if I'm only in my early 30s.

For some reason I haven't figured out yet, the rowing machine seems most appealing to me, and so I'm sortof fishing for feedback on that, but I'm really open to any general advice.

Are post work out shakes and twistched normal?

crewshell — Mon, 08 Aug 2005 22:22:13 -0800

After a semi hard run or other cardio / muscular endurance excerise I sometimes get the shakes, or muscle twitchs... and not in the muscles you would expect. What would cause this? I rowed alot in HS and College (did pretty well with it actually) and often after a REALLY hard erg work out the tip of my nose would tingle... which I could never figure out why. Also after my run tonight (2.6 miles in about 24 minutes) my hands shook (ever so slightly) while holding my drinking cup.. and i got an odd muscle twitch in my lip..

could this be a sign of something physically wrong (i've always been pretty active) or just .. my quirky anotomy?

row row row your boat

striker — Mon, 16 May 2005 11:56:38 -0800

I want to get a boat/kayak/canoe/floaty thing for a nearby small river. Knowing nothing about them, I need some advice about what to get. I have an 88 honda accord with a roof rack. I want two small boats/kayaks/etc or 1 two seater. No motor please. I'm of two minds about whether I want something I can get a crew-style workout in, or just something fun. criteria: small, cheap, lightweight, no motor.