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Poke

Poke

I’m condescending
Joined
May 20, 2020
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763
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1,392
I need a cardio machine. Everything says Rouge Concept2 are the best, but also unobtainable. NordicTracks decent quality? Good machines? I can get one of those.
 
I bought a Water Rower. I've been using it for a couple weeks now. So far, I like it a lot. Very low impact, works a surprising number of muscle groups.
 
Poke said:
I need a cardio machine. Everything says Rouge Concept 2 are the best, but also unobtainable. NordicTracks decent quality? Good machines? I can get one of those.
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Concept II are basically the international standard for training. I rowed in college and spent many, many hours on them.

The water rowers were kind of gimmicky when they came out. I could never get in to them because they didn't simulate rowing on the water as well as a fan. The fan rowers like a concept 2 maintain momentum on the recovery, which is the same feel as taking a stroke on the water and the boat coasts while you recover for the next stroke. If someone's never rowed on the water before, it probably wouldn't bug them.

The nordic tracks look like a copy of the Concept 2 so I'd suspect they'll be just as good.


I bought Concept 2 model C a couple years after I got out of school. I quickly learned I don't have a low speed setting on one and as soon as the fan starts spinning I have 'nam flashbacks of training and racing and would try to kill it. I finally sold it after I kept fucking up my back. When I used to train on them, I could walk in to a gym and just hear someone using one and the sound of that fan spinning would make my heartrate start to climb.
 
bgaidan said:
Concept II are basically the international standard for training. I rowed in college and spent many, many hours on them.

The water rowers were kind of gimmicky when they came out. I could never get in to them because they didn't simulate rowing on the water as well as a fan. The fan rowers like a concept 2 maintain momentum on the recovery, which is the same feel as taking a stroke on the water and the boat coasts while you recover for the next stroke. If someone's never rowed on the water before, it probably wouldn't bug them.

The nordic tracks look like a copy of the Concept 2 so I'd suspect they'll be just as good.


I bought Concept 2 model C a couple years after I got out of school. I quickly learned I don't have a low speed setting on one and as soon as the fan starts spinning I have 'nam flashbacks of training and racing and would try to kill it. I finally sold it after I kept fucking up my back. When I used to train on them, I could walk in to a gym and just hear someone using one and the sound of that fan spinning would make my heartrate start to climb.
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Another Concept 2 vote.
 
My daughter rows on the high school crew team. I was able to find a Concept 2 on Facebook Marketplace back during the spring lockdown for her. Paid $600. I could probably turn a nice profit on that damned thing now. She's used it a grand total of 3 times..... I keep thinking I need to start getting up earlier in the AM and use it myself. But then I remember how much I love sleeping.
 
If you sign up on the waiting list for a concept 2 you can usually get one in less than 3 months.

Nothing more to add other than pay attention to your back.
 
speed bump said:
If you sign up on the waiting list for a concept 2 you can usually get one in less than 3 months.

Nothing more to add other than pay attention to your back.
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Efficiency is everything. Watch youtube. Learn to row. It's not all about rowing like hell. Taking that slight pause to recover after the strong pull makes such a difference.
 
I know they are hard to come by now, but you can't beat a Concept 2. It's worth the wait and search, and hell, paying a little more to a CL or FB marketplace seller for one. It is a machine that will last you a lifetime.

Check out Dark Horse Rowing on Youtube and they have awesome workouts and advice on how to properly row.
 
I used the Norditrac for a couple years, no complaints, but I've never tried the concept 2 to compare it against.
 
rugger said:
Efficiency is everything. Watch youtube. Learn to row. It's not all about rowing like hell. Taking that slight pause to recover after the strong pull makes such a difference.
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I agree completely, I see a lot of people (guys in particular) who think you need to crank the damper up to 10 and go hard which is the reason for my comment.
 
speed bump said:
I agree completely, I see a lot of people (guys in particular) who think you need to crank the damper up to 10 and go hard which is the reason for my comment.
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10 is great if you want to simulate a row boat in choppy water. 🤣

I sit at 3.5 to 5 depending on the duration of the row. I try to focus on big pulls and putting that pull into my back. That is where I am the weakest.
 
rugger said:
Efficiency is everything. Watch youtube. Learn to row. It's not all about rowing like hell. Taking that slight pause to recover after the strong pull makes such a difference.
Click to expand...


This. I have a permanently fucked up back from actual rowing. L2S5 vertebrate hasn't been right since '02-ish. I'll need surgery eventually.

Legs - Back - Arms

This is perfect for learning technique and getting it in to memory.



rugger said:
sit at 3.5 to 5 depending on the duration of the row. I try to focus on big pulls and putting that pull into my back. That is where I am the weakest.
Click to expand...


~4.5 or so is what we always used to simulate normal water rowing. You can crank it up for strength training, but trying to row a "normal" piece at 10 to be a bad ass will likely just kill your technique.
 
I use the row set up on my 25 yo Bowflex. I doubt any serious rower would use one. It is strengthening almost my entire body.
 
I have a Concept 2 Model D. I bought mine new from Amazon. Its pricey, but I have tried the lower tier rowers and they just don't have the same feel and quality.
 
I’ve had a WaterRower for a decade. It works fine for me since I’ve never rowed on water or other machines, I just don’t have enough discipline to use it consistently and it’s covered in dust currently. Maybe that will be my New Years resolution, my body would probably appreciate some exercise :lmao:
 
Benny said:
I don't row. I like to motorboat :grinpimp:
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I really looked into and was >< this close to buying a water rower a while back.

https://www.waterrower.com/

you could flip it up when not in use, so it didn't take up so much room and it looked really cool.

I let time pass and I moved on to other shit to waste my money on.

If I was getting one, it would be the one I want.
 
I was able to get a concept2 after a few weeks. I’m sore. Dumb idea but I’ll stick with it.
 
Poke said:
I was able to get a concept2 after a few weeks. I’m sore. Dumb idea but I’ll stick with it.
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I row almost every day at the gym for the last 18 months. Learn to Pace and understand the numbers on the screen. I would start logging your workouts early so you can see the progression. And just remember its about the big muscles and efficiency and not about getting the longest and fastest pull you can.
 
This thread got me re-started on the Bowflex rowing set up. If your reading this you are procrastinating :laughing:
 
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