New User, new machine

[Galeere]

Hi again.
Now I really am confused. these results don't make sense to me:

Time Distance Average Damper Setting
Rowed Traveled Strokes/minute
(min.) (meters)

30 4685 20 9

30 4665 20 6

30 4611 21 4

30 4425 22 2

If I were in a race to see who could go the farthest in 30 minutes, I"d set the damper on 10!

What's the drag factor got to do with it?

Of course the above results assume that I expended the same energy each session...

Confused,

Bob

You do not want to look at the total results in the beginning but at proper technique (strong and fast leg drive, correct sequencing of back and arms, controlled recovery) as well as fatigue. I reckon that you felt fatigued the same on all your ergs, so your training-stimulus should be similar while having the chance to do it with better technique and less injury risks with lower damper (drag factor) settings. At the races for 2k even the strongest ergers do not go at a 10.

[jadomatis]

The performance monitor takes drag factor into account when it calculates watts/distance rowed/cals burned. This is what allows folks to compete across a varying range of preferred settings. Assuming you were equally rested across all of your time/distance trials then, I would say that the reason you are getting worse results at lower drag factor could be attributed to your stroke. At the high drag factor each stroke feels like you have more resistance because the fan blades slow down more as you recover and you have to spin them up again. A slower, longer stroke results and the PM takes the "resistance" into account and you get decent numbers. As you reduce drag factor though, you have to be more explosive with your stroke. Constant power through the whole stroke yes... but HARD and FAST. Stroke rate can and should remain the same.. but the drive itself should be explosive... with a longer recovery. As mentioned on the concept2 site, pick the drag factor that allows you to do the best and stick with it... with one caveat... as a new rower, you need to develop a good stroke... so while a setting of 9 or 10 may give you the best results NOW... it may be more difficult to build up a good stroke going forward. Start with the recommend setting of 3-5 on the damper and put in the meters focusing on improving your results/good form. As you improve you can start tweaking the damper setting for specific situations (endurance vs sprint). When that time comes though, you'll know that your stroke is good and the damper setting isn't covering up poor form.

That's my $0.02 anyway....