Concept 2 Experience?

jasonward73
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West Palm Beach, FL US
4/2/2010 7:29am Edited Date/Time 4/30/2014 11:01am
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
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Chili
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4/2/2010 8:30am Edited Date/Time 4/17/2016 9:50pm
22:42.9 is the only actual 5k I have done to date but that wasn't my first ever time on the erg. I love the machine and since January 6th I've put 445,000+ meters on it, lost 35 pounds in the process as well.


Not sure if you've been over to the concept2 website but they offer an online logbook to keep track of your meters, many challenges throughout the year to keep you motivated and a good forum as well.
SH_105
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Murrieta, CA US
4/2/2010 9:29am
I do 3500 meter sprints on one at the gym... Searle and I are in a little competition at the moment... I did 3500 meters in 13:40 at a 1:57.4 average per 500m... Those rowers and swimming have taken over where other things are way too much of an impact on my knees!! 100% recommend those rowers!!!


105
4/2/2010 10:07am
I bought the Water Rower and regretted it. Any chance on a trade-in Greg?! Wink

The Shop

olds cool
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Claremont, NC US
4/3/2010 12:07am
I bought a used Model D w/ PM4 last Oct. or Nov. Started out doing 15 min. workouts with a best distance of 3660 meters. Had issues with the battery on the monitor but got that figured out a month or so ago. Personal bests so far: 10,000 m - 42:36 5,000 m - 21:32 500 m - 1:38 My 22 yr old son started working out with me a couple times a week about 4 weeks ago. I was beating him and feeling pretty good about myself the first couple of weeks but he's got it figured out now and whips me most of the time now just like everything else we do! I can still hold my own with him at ping-pong though! I'll be 49 in a couple of months (yikes!). SH_105, I am impressed with your 1:57 pace for that distance - that is HARD to maintain for that distance. Anybody who gets to feeling froggy about their times needs to check some of the world record times on the concept2 website and notice what some of the 14 yr old kids and 80 yr old men are doing and that will bring you down a notch or two! These machines are addictive. You definately develop a love/hate relationship with them.
FIREfish148
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Kirkland, WA US
4/3/2010 1:43am
do these things work for guys that a 6'4''? is there an adjustment?
alphado
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Erie, PA US
4/3/2010 2:36am
We have an old one in the fitness room at work. I do it for 10 minutes every day during my morning break.
worcsracer808
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Boulder City, NV US
4/3/2010 2:46am
I love the rowers just wear gloves cause I get blisters on my hands and kinda on my heels too from my shoes, my only complaint with them is the uncomfy seat it's hard to do any more than 30 minutes on it cause it makes your butt sore. Back when I was in decent shape I would be doing 10000m rows at around 40 minutes. Also Like doing interval stuff with it like 1000m row then 10-15 push ups with 2 minutes rest and just repeat. They are awesome machines for sure. O and SH that 1:57 for that long must have been gnarly, you sir are a man.
worcsracer808
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4/3/2010 2:48am
do these things work for guys that a 6'4''? is there an adjustment?
Im about 6'2" maybe just over that and it works fine for me, the seat is on a pretty long rail slide type thing so it basically goes back as far as you can extend your legs, I'm sure it'd work at your height too.
Chili
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Winnipeg CA
4/3/2010 9:22am
do these things work for guys that a 6'4''? is there an adjustment?
Rowing is a sport where height/long legs are an advantage, the machine will be just fine for you.
jasonward73
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4/3/2010 10:04am
I did workout #2 today and finished 5000m in 24mins28secs! Very happy with my improvement in just 1 day. I'm 6'2" and it fits me just fine. I highly recommend this machine.

BTW, I'm typing this from an Ipad and it's pretty cool. Checking it out at an apple store.

Jason
speyer
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SE
4/3/2010 10:23am
i´ve been rowing for a year now and my results are 500m 1.32 sec
5000m 19. 21
10000m 40.03. i think this is the best kind of training i´ve ever done.
like Sean said it´s very kind for you´re knees.
SH_105
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Murrieta, CA US
4/3/2010 10:27am
Well I decided to bump it up a notch on hell day yesterday so I gave it some extra berries and got my time down on min/500m to 1:55.9 for 3500 meters... Nearly threw up and the legs were wobbly!!!


105
1
kwhite199
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AR US
4/3/2010 10:37am
I've been looking at the Concept2 rower and was wondering how it compares to the Trixter X-bike or an elliptical machine. I can only afford to buy one machine at this time and was wondering which one gives the best workout. Any thoughts would be appreciated!
Chili
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Winnipeg CA
4/3/2010 10:48am
I'm obviously biased as I have the rower and have not used an X-Bike but I have used a treadmill and Elliptical. My personal opinion is you get more out of the rower as besides the cardio you are working the rest of your body with the exception of any push type exercises.

Keeping in mind I'm a 43 year old recovering fatty todays exercise was 60 mins at a 2:15.7 pace to get 13275 meters in my hour.
EmDub425
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Tacoma, WA US
4/3/2010 10:59am
I usually do the 500m/1minute rest workout. 5 or 6 of those and I want to puke. Last night I did my first 5000m and I had a time of 20:45 on the dot. I succeeded in giving myself a few blood blisters.
RCC104
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Upstate, NY US
4/3/2010 11:14am


I started using them last year when I joined my college crew team over the winter. Helped me quite a bit with figuring out different workouts and correct technique and all. I bought my own last spring.

Each persons different. I'm 24, about 6'1", and have long arms so it makes it a little easier for me.
My 500m sprint's around 1:27
5000m in the lower 19s

Even though the Concept 2 is basically torture device I find it fun, trying to beat best times and all. Hands down I'd say a C2 is the best non-riding workout there is.

ASH510
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LA US
4/3/2010 11:43am
i plan on getting both the concept rower and the trixter x bike.
heck both cant be a bad thing i dont guess.
EmDub425
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4/3/2010 11:47am
what the hell is a trixter x bike? google here i come.
olds cool
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4/3/2010 12:33pm
As far as blisters go, I learned pretty quick that you need to take your wedding band or any other ring off while rowing. Another thing that works for me is to grip more with the ends of your fingers instead of wrapping your palm totally around the grip. I haven't tried rowing with gloves as I figured it would help build up the callous' (sp?) on my hands for riding.
jasonward73
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West Palm Beach, FL US
4/3/2010 12:45pm
Yep, I have some calluses (sp?) already from only 2 workouts. I guess I'll have to get some gloves.

Anyone try the MX handlebar attachment?

I did a lot of research before buying this and it appears to be hands down the best overall off the bike workout for MX/GNCC/WORCS. Nearly every trainer out there seems to incorporate it.

I got a great deal on mine. Found it on craigslist with the owner asking $1050 with 20hrs on it. I offered him $650 cash and we finally agreed on $750 and that included the cover, chest strap, and some lube for the glide plate. It's the Model E with the PM4 computer. The think literally looks brand new. This pkg with shipping would probably be about $1500 new so I was thrilled!
olds cool
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4/3/2010 12:55pm
You got a deal for sure. Now go wear that thing out (the rowing machine not the avatar subject)!
Chili
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Winnipeg CA
4/3/2010 1:19pm
olds cool wrote:
You got a deal for sure. Now go wear that thing out (the rowing machine not the avatar subject)!
As much as I love my rower if the avatar subject is available for wearing out I'll trade the Concept 2!
kwhite199
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AR US
4/3/2010 4:21pm
Chili wrote:
I'm obviously biased as I have the rower and have not used an X-Bike but I have used a treadmill and Elliptical. My personal opinion is...
I'm obviously biased as I have the rower and have not used an X-Bike but I have used a treadmill and Elliptical. My personal opinion is you get more out of the rower as besides the cardio you are working the rest of your body with the exception of any push type exercises.

Keeping in mind I'm a 43 year old recovering fatty todays exercise was 60 mins at a 2:15.7 pace to get 13275 meters in my hour.
I was leaning toward the same conclusion myself. From the reading I've done the rower appears to be a better full body exercise than the other two. The X-bike does appear to be a very good exercise machine as well. Too bad they aren't as easy as sitting back and watching TV! Wink
Matt414
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St. Petersburg , FL US
4/3/2010 4:44pm
SH_105 wrote:
Well I decided to bump it up a notch on hell day yesterday so I gave it some extra berries and got my time down on...
Well I decided to bump it up a notch on hell day yesterday so I gave it some extra berries and got my time down on min/500m to 1:55.9 for 3500 meters... Nearly threw up and the legs were wobbly!!!


105
Come fall, after I am back in the gym and back on the rower, you can come down and I'll throw down with you. Who knew cyclist made good rowers?
jasonward73
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4/4/2010 11:37am
I tried the min/500m interval program today. It's not nice. See below.



The 5th interval is not accurate. I stopped rowing and didn't realize I had 1m to go to meet my 500 and it added about 20secs to my time. I was so annoyed. It's getting better and I used my MX gloves today which helped!
EmDub425
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Tacoma, WA US
4/4/2010 12:05pm
I tried the min/500m interval program today. It's not nice. See below. [img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs379.snc3/24239_1427718052563_1221151914_1214500_4859398_n.jpg[/img] The 5th interval is not accurate. I stopped rowing and didn't realize I...
I tried the min/500m interval program today. It's not nice. See below.



The 5th interval is not accurate. I stopped rowing and didn't realize I had 1m to go to meet my 500 and it added about 20secs to my time. I was so annoyed. It's getting better and I used my MX gloves today which helped!
6 500's not bad at all man. I usually run for about 20-25 minutes before I row so I am always too tired to do 6. I can get about 4 in and I tray to stay under the 1:50 mark. It is an ass kicker for sure.
sdfog1
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Flower Mound, TX US
4/20/2010 10:43am
After seeing this thread and purchasing one off craigslist, I was inspired. Haha. Just got my first 5000 under 20 minutes. Extremely tough for sure.
4/20/2010 7:09pm
I love these rowers and my racers and I use them. Greg Hammond at Concept 2 is also allot help and there for any questions. I just started setting up at allot of the motocross races around Oklahom and Texas, along with the big amateur nationals. Look for the Concept 2 banner in the pits and feel free to come over and give one a try. My name is Jim Reynolds. jim.reynolds@cox.com

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