Drag question

lightweight8 · Post by **lightweight8** » November 6th, 2008, 12:35 pm

I just picked up erging again about 7 weeks ago after a long hiatus from OTW rowing. I was out of shape when I started, but at this point am feeling stronger every day.

I work out at a gym, they have 2 C2s- both C models, one with a PM2 & 1 w/ a PM3 monitor. I tend to work on the older one with the PM2 since it feels more like the B I used to train on back in the day.

Anyway...I tested the drag on the machine last night and I think there is a problem. At 1 I couldn't get it any higher than 62, 5 @ 68, 10 @ 75. So is this user error or does the erg need servicing? HELP!

lightweight8 · Post by **lightweight8** » November 6th, 2008, 1:28 pm

PS/ I called the gym manager today and asked to have the machines cleaned since there is visible grime on the flywheel cover. How annoying that they don't keep these things in proper working order.

So, since the DF is so ridiculously low, is that why I can't get any lower than a 2:09 split while literally hanging on the handles during a drive?

Citroen · Post by **Citroen** » November 6th, 2008, 7:40 pm

lightweight8 wrote:So, since the DF is so ridiculously low, is that why I can't get any lower than a 2:09 split while literally hanging on the handles during a drive?

You're going to fnd out the hard way when the machines get cleaned. Set the drag somewhere between 110 and 120 until you find a personal level that suits you.

A very dirty machine with a ridiculously low drag will tend to limit your split. Give or take what you lose by not having rowed OTW for a long time.

lightweight8 · Post by **lightweight8** » November 6th, 2008, 8:53 pm

So...went to the gym tonight AND they cleaned the machines today as I requested. At level 4, I was rating at a drag of 145. What a difference! So I increased my 500m sprint by 8 seconds; from a 2:08.9 to a 2:01.1. Now I have something to work towards improving! I think I'll work at level 3 for a week or so to get used to the new feel.

tdekoekkoek · Post by **tdekoekkoek** » November 7th, 2008, 7:22 am

lightweight8 wrote:So...went to the gym tonight AND they cleaned the machines today as I requested. At level 4, I was rating at a drag of 145. What a difference! So I increased my 500m sprint by 8 seconds; from a 2:08.9 to a 2:01.1. Now I have something to work towards improving! I think I'll work at level 3 for a week or so to get used to the new feel.

Great that the situation has improved. Just a couple of points: If the machine has been abused in a gym, even cleaned, the chain might be damaged which could cause a big "rubber-band" type of effect which could mean there is very little resistance at the beginning of the stroke. The other thing is that a drag of 145 at 4 is unusually high. Usually a 4 will correspond to around 120. 145 is too high for most people IMO.

Cheers,

Trevor

lightweight8 · Post by **lightweight8** » November 7th, 2008, 9:34 am

Yes, I thought that too. I'll play around with the levels until I find something that feels right. The pull was a little too hard, personally, and there was no rubber arm effect. I felt the resistance as soon as I started the drive. It could be that the damper levers are slightly off. I'll keep experimenting.