Concept 2 Experience?

jasonward73
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6/23/2010 8:03am
Concept2Greg
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6/23/2010 8:07am
hey guys sorry I have not been on in a while. To answer the question on the motobars. I tend to train without the motobars until it gets closer to season (I am in the North East) If you make your own it can be tough to position them right and you may want to cut them down slightly. www.manandmachine.com make a nice set. If you are bringing the rower to the track for warm-ups defiantly try and add moto bars so that you get the same contraction of the upper traps. email me any questions if you want gregh@concept2.com. JasonWard73 your avatar is very distracting I think I am getting hypnotized! - Greg
Concept2Greg
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6/23/2010 8:17am
I just picked up a barely used Concept 2 Model E PM4 and finished my first workout. Its certainly isn't an impressive 5000m time but wondered...
I just picked up a barely used Concept 2 Model E PM4 and finished my first workout. Its certainly isn't an impressive 5000m time but wondered how everyone else did their first time (if you can remember). This thing is brutal.



28mins04secs
Jason, don't worry about everyone else the goal is to get that 5K time down or do moto length time and track the number of meters you get. try and get more meters everytime. also check out our technique page on www.concept2.com or email me or call me here at C2. 1-800-245-5676 Greg

The Shop

newmann
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6/23/2010 8:20am
Enjoying my new Concept 2, kind of brutal though. Not sure how some of those guys lay down some of those ridiculous times. Getting better though!!

Was in downtown Austin this weekend and went for a morning run down by the water. There were a whole bunch of Concept rowers down on the dock at the boat rental shack. Pretty cool.
jasonward73
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6/23/2010 8:38am Edited Date/Time 6/23/2010 8:39am
I've made some gains, here are some of my most recent workouts. My 5000m time floats around the 20:30 to 20:45 time during this 30 minute workout. I'm especially proud of the last one. Please keep in mind I am completing these workouts outside in South Florida on my covered patio. It's 90+ degrees and 387% humidity. I've dropped 10lbs so far.























Concept2Greg
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6/23/2010 9:15am
Great job. The goal for you would be to get your "split time" of 2:03.1 for the 30 minutes to a 2:00 min. I think you will see slightly higher heartrates. - Greg
PS. check out some of the pictures in my profile. Seems like most of the top pros are all on C2's now.
jasonward73
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6/23/2010 9:25am
Great job. The goal for you would be to get your "split time" of 2:03.1 for the 30 minutes to a 2:00 min. I think you...
Great job. The goal for you would be to get your "split time" of 2:03.1 for the 30 minutes to a 2:00 min. I think you will see slightly higher heartrates. - Greg
PS. check out some of the pictures in my profile. Seems like most of the top pros are all on C2's now.
Yep! Easier said than done, but I'm trying. It's hard to imaging that shaving 5secs off a 500m time is that difficult.
Klutch
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6/23/2010 9:38am Edited Date/Time 6/23/2010 9:40am


I row 2000m 3 times a week, my best time is 8mins flat. Is that any good?



Also, am I wasting my time at 2000m, should I step it up to 5000?



tatonka
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6/23/2010 9:40am
I love to hate my C2...
jasonward73
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6/23/2010 9:42am
Klutch wrote:
I row 2000m 3 times a week, my best time is 8mins flat. Is that any good? Also, am I wasting my time at 2000m, should...


I row 2000m 3 times a week, my best time is 8mins flat. Is that any good?



Also, am I wasting my time at 2000m, should I step it up to 5000?



It depends on what else your doing. If you're doing this as part of a resistance training circuit and other forms of cardio this is good. If this is all you're doing then I would suggest stepping up your workout to at least 5000m, 30mins would be even better. I've read elsewhere where Greg recommended the 10,000m workout for anyone racing hare scrambles/WORCS/GNCC. 8mins is a good time but see if you can keep that pace for 30mins. That's what I'm going for.

Jason
Concept2Greg
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6/23/2010 9:43am
Klutch, You are never wasting your time training! It depends on the length of your motos. I would rather have you row for the length of a moto and see what you get for meters and try and improve on that each time you get on. Your body can't tell that you are not racing if you heartrate is at race pace and you will adapt your cardio for that amount of time.
Concept2Greg
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6/23/2010 9:45am
tatonka wrote:
I love to hate my C2...
Come on man! You are the king of the C2
tatonka
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6/24/2010 7:11am
tatonka wrote:
I love to hate my C2...
Come on man! You are the king of the C2
Yeah sure - I own that thing!! lol
Actually, it's been a great rehab tool lately as I'm rehabbing the broken scapula. It doesn't hurt the ribs too much either as long as I'm not pulling for times.
olympiamann
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4/21/2014 10:06pm
Wow the concept 2 is a great training tool for moto...5000 meters down to 20 min 10 sec..I had it under 20 min today but almost ralphed during the last 75 meters...daaangit i was close...Between the concept 2 and Semics conditioning stuff i might just win a race this year ....45 years old and down 21 pounds....lovin life....
Crush
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4/22/2014 2:38am
I fuckin love rowers! I'm dangerous over short distances. Long not so much

1:25 is my best 500m on the back of a couple 1:27s and 1:30s... Last year tho, haven't been near a rower all year.

Good workout for moto I found was an Olympic bar unloaded and a rower.

2000m, 50 squat thruster press

1000m, 30 squat thrust press

500m, 15 squat thrust press

1000m, 30 squat thrust press

2000m, 50 squat thruster press

Like doing a half hour moto and you'll probably vomit.
olympiamann
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4/22/2014 3:05am
Yah! that sounds like a puuuuker fer sure...
Socket946
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4/22/2014 6:05am
We have one at work.

I'm in love with it. I am going to try the 5k meters tomorrow when I hit the gym.
Kryan5
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4/22/2014 6:28am Edited Date/Time 4/22/2014 6:29am
Here is a program I got from Greg Hammond at Concept 2. I was doing good into the 2nd week when a cold dropped into my chest and pneumonia started to set in. I finally just started up again and I am way behind were I was. My lungs hurt so bad after a work out. He says Matt Lemoine enjoys this program. Its a 3 day a week program that is aimed towards bulletproof cardio.
Tracktor
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4/22/2014 9:53am
I bought one of these off CL for $400 a couple months ago. Any ideas for keeping from getting bored while rowing? My ADD kicks in at about 5 minutes. I've tried earphones maybe set up something to watch MX vids?............
Mr. Kyle 131
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4/22/2014 11:27am
Kryan5 wrote:
Here is a program I got from Greg Hammond at Concept 2. I was doing good into the 2nd week when a cold dropped into my...
Here is a program I got from Greg Hammond at Concept 2. I was doing good into the 2nd week when a cold dropped into my chest and pneumonia started to set in. I finally just started up again and I am way behind were I was. My lungs hurt so bad after a work out. He says Matt Lemoine enjoys this program. Its a 3 day a week program that is aimed towards bulletproof cardio.
Thanks for posting.

Does the (#)R represent the amount of rest between sets?
Kryan5
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4/22/2014 11:32am
Thanks for posting.

Does the (#)R represent the amount of rest between sets?
It represents the minutes of rest between reps. Ie. 8 x 500m 1R means to do 8 reps of 500m with 1 minute of rest between each rep. 4 x 1200 4R means to do 4 reps of 1200m with 4 minutes rest between each rep.
Bosco
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4/22/2014 2:18pm
I was on the rowing team in college here last year, but gave it up cos I couldn't fit work, college work, motocross, rowing training and my girlfriend together. My personal best for 5K with uncapped rate was 17:22 (averaged about 24 strokes per minute). With the rate capped at 18 spm my personal best was around 17:50 ish. I do remember my splits from that one though 1:47.0, 1:47.0, 1:47.0, 1:47.3, 1:46.8 for each kilometre. My best 2K was 6:32 (split time of 1:38.1 I believe). Our coach was big on low rate high power stuff.

I used to think I trained a lot for motocross, but man, rowers certainly know the meaning of pain! We used to train 10 times a week, which was just a tad ridiculous.

Having done a year's worth of rowing training, the biggest impact on lowering erg times is technique. The stroke needs to be as long as you can make it. If you're hitting a stroke rate of high 20s or low 30s, it's likely that you're not finishing the stroke. The pull starts at "the catch". At the catch, you should be leaned all the way forward, arms outstretched and knees up under your chin. Your back should be around the 11 o'clock position. The first thing you do is engage your thigh muscles. Rowing is all about the legs. Start the pull with a good thrust in the legs. Once you're moving along the slide, bring the back in to it. This is called "body rock". Essentially you rock your back over to about the 1 or 2 o'clock position (different coaches will tell you different angles, but you shouldn't go so far as to make getting back up too much of a strain). Then you bring the arms into it. The arms basically finish the stroke. At "the finish", your arms should be tucked into your sides, and the 'oar' should be at around your sternum. Whenever I'd finish an erg I'd always have red marks on my chest from hitting myself with the handles!

All this should be one fluid movement, and you should aim to have the leg drive, body rock and the arms finishing at around the same time. It can help to completely separate the different sections at the start, and gradually meld them together.

Rowing is also unique in that for half the time, you're doing no work. Taking advantage of the "recovery" is essential. A good rule of thumb is to spend twice as long recovering and preparing for the next stroke than the time spend on the stroke itself. I found it helped to start the stroke with empty lungs, take a breath during the stroke so that I'd be exhaling at the finish, and then take two breaths during the recovery.

As far as dulling the monotony, music is the enemy! Like all sports (including motocross), focus is key. Every single stroke has to be precise and powerful. Good results only come when you focus on breathing and technique and making each stroke the best it can be. Music is only a distraction. A good thing to do is set a reasonable split time target, and aim to get every stroke at that target time.

Wow, I didn't expect to type all that out, all I wanted to do was brag about my 5K times!

Happy rowing!
1
4/22/2014 3:00pm
I`m 5,7 and row 5000m at 2.07 split for 500m average that's 21.10 I have done 2.06 split but was rowing a lot more then , I like intervals these days 200 on absolute balls to the wall 200 off just tickin over for 1000 m 2 minute rest , 3 of those does me ,
4/22/2014 5:31pm
I do 5000m in high 18s usually........recently the couple of 10,000 m I have tried I have gotten around 39:15 for my best. When I was doing it 2 or 3 years ago my best was 10,000 in 37:45 but I was doing it every other night for 8 months or so. I typically leave it set on 3-4 resistance level. My best for 500m was 1:28. Do not try to challenge buddies to 500m when drunk......heart rate will go through the roof and you will feel like death.....
4/22/2014 6:59pm
Concept 2 rowing machines are legitimate legal torture machines.

I did rowing in high-school. I loved racing other boats, but I hated erging. I still do. The dread of an upcoming 2k would sit in my stomach all day Sick My best 2k was 7:03 and my best 5k was 20:48 and 500 m spring was 1:38. We did many 40 minute pieces that were absolute hell, 4x5 minute sessions, high intensity intervals, you name the workout, we did it.

Ergs suck, but they will whip you into shape REAL quick. Nothing beats that feeling when you finish and just collapse into heavy breathing and that sudden rush of dopamine.

I'm gonna go give mine a couple pulls for old times sake.
olympiamann
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4/30/2014 11:01am
Did it !! I was able to get 5000 meters down to 19 min 52 sec...On resistance 10 ..I seriously didn't think id get below 20 minutes considering how i felt the first time i used it....
Badd127
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3/21/2018 2:07pm
Bosco wrote:
I was on the rowing team in college here last year, but gave it up cos I couldn't fit work, college work, motocross, rowing training and...
I was on the rowing team in college here last year, but gave it up cos I couldn't fit work, college work, motocross, rowing training and my girlfriend together. My personal best for 5K with uncapped rate was 17:22 (averaged about 24 strokes per minute). With the rate capped at 18 spm my personal best was around 17:50 ish. I do remember my splits from that one though 1:47.0, 1:47.0, 1:47.0, 1:47.3, 1:46.8 for each kilometre. My best 2K was 6:32 (split time of 1:38.1 I believe). Our coach was big on low rate high power stuff.

I used to think I trained a lot for motocross, but man, rowers certainly know the meaning of pain! We used to train 10 times a week, which was just a tad ridiculous.

Having done a year's worth of rowing training, the biggest impact on lowering erg times is technique. The stroke needs to be as long as you can make it. If you're hitting a stroke rate of high 20s or low 30s, it's likely that you're not finishing the stroke. The pull starts at "the catch". At the catch, you should be leaned all the way forward, arms outstretched and knees up under your chin. Your back should be around the 11 o'clock position. The first thing you do is engage your thigh muscles. Rowing is all about the legs. Start the pull with a good thrust in the legs. Once you're moving along the slide, bring the back in to it. This is called "body rock". Essentially you rock your back over to about the 1 or 2 o'clock position (different coaches will tell you different angles, but you shouldn't go so far as to make getting back up too much of a strain). Then you bring the arms into it. The arms basically finish the stroke. At "the finish", your arms should be tucked into your sides, and the 'oar' should be at around your sternum. Whenever I'd finish an erg I'd always have red marks on my chest from hitting myself with the handles!

All this should be one fluid movement, and you should aim to have the leg drive, body rock and the arms finishing at around the same time. It can help to completely separate the different sections at the start, and gradually meld them together.

Rowing is also unique in that for half the time, you're doing no work. Taking advantage of the "recovery" is essential. A good rule of thumb is to spend twice as long recovering and preparing for the next stroke than the time spend on the stroke itself. I found it helped to start the stroke with empty lungs, take a breath during the stroke so that I'd be exhaling at the finish, and then take two breaths during the recovery.

As far as dulling the monotony, music is the enemy! Like all sports (including motocross), focus is key. Every single stroke has to be precise and powerful. Good results only come when you focus on breathing and technique and making each stroke the best it can be. Music is only a distraction. A good thing to do is set a reasonable split time target, and aim to get every stroke at that target time.

Wow, I didn't expect to type all that out, all I wanted to do was brag about my 5K times!

Happy rowing!
This was some very good info. A good read.

I've been off any type of exercise using my hands for 6months because of a badly broken wrist. My gym got a new concept 2 rower and I have been eyeing that thing off for two months now.
Today my surgeon gave me the all clear for full use of my hand, so the first thing I did was a 5000m @ 20:24mins 202.5/500m
This was my first time on a rower in about 7 years. I slowed down 3 times to drink some water and wipe the sweat off my face.
My technique got beter towards the end of the session, longer strokes with more power. I would have never pushed that hard if I didn't read the first page on this thread right before I went to the gym.

The gym also has a new ski erg, hopefully I can get myself into good shape for this season.

If anyone has any tips or workouts for the ski erg I would love to hear them.
3/27/2018 11:31am
do these things work for guys that a 6'4''? is there an adjustment?
I’m 6’4” and I just bought one a few weeks ago and I love it. Sit in my basement and row and watch last week’s SX race on the DVR.
Motofinne
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3/27/2018 11:47am Edited Date/Time 3/27/2018 11:52am
I got the SkiErg 2 months ago and i'v done different exercises (4-5 times every week). Everything from intervals, 3k, 5k.

Anyone with a good program for moto? I've seen progress but it's winter in Finland so i don't know how much better i'll be on a bike until about a month.

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