C2 Cardio close to treadmill?

[lazyguy]

Looking at c2 vs. treadmill.

Looking for serious cardio exerciser.

I know that I can get my heart rate up easily with a treadmill, but have no access to a c2 for comparison.

I think the c2 is a simpler design (last longer) than a treadmill and much more storable, and cheaper price, than a comparable treadmill.

So my question is, Will a C2 get a fairly in shape guy's heart rate comparably to a treadmill?


Thank you,
Dave S.

[gregsmith01748]

It's just my opinion, but I think to get a treadmill of a similar quality level as the c2 rower, you'd need to plunk down about 10k. I had a cheaper treadmill at home and used it rarely because it was a tartly pile of junk with uneven speed control. I have used treadmills at gyms that are ok. In terms of reliable, cost effective home exercise equipment, I think the c2 is the way to go.

Can it get your heart rate up? Hoo boy, it sure can. I used to think my max HR was 175, on the erg, I've found out that it's actually about 179.

The other thing that is really good about the c2 is how well different machines are matched, so you can use one anywhere and immediately compare your stats. I'm not sure if that's really true for home treadmills.

[jamesg]

The C2 is quieter, need no electrics except a pair of batteries, works almost all of our muscle and there's no impact. But we do need to learn how to use it, it doesn't force us to do anything. This leads to a technical catch, which is terrible for oarsmen: the better we row, the harder it gets.

[slwiser]

I have been using both at Cardio Rehab for about two years now. Both are serious cardio workouts.

The treadmill, no matter the quality level, will have much more maintenance issues over the C2 in the long term. There are simply many more moving parts and parts to wear out in the treadmill; belts, motors and electrical items.

Treadmill and C2 will allow you to push yourself as hard as you desire.

Space wise the new Dynamic will fit into almost any space while the treadmill will take up as much or more room as a full C2 on slides if you get a high end treadmill. The original C2 will fit into any space broken down and is easy to take down and set up.

I was doing this same calculus two years ago and determined the C2 was my torture machine of choice and have never looked back wanting the treadmill even though I still am using it at the hospital when I do cardio rehab.

I recommend the C2 on slides or the new dynamic if you choose the Concept 2. The dynamic motion gets your gluts and other leg muscles into the workout more.

[carlb]

Looking at c2 vs. treadmill.
Looking for serious cardio exerciser.
I know that I can get my heart rate up easily with a treadmill, but have no access to a c2 for comparison.
I think the c2 is a simpler design (last longer) than a treadmill and much more storable, and cheaper price, than a comparable treadmill.
So my question is, Will a C2 get a fairly in shape guy's heart rate comparably to a treadmill?

I'm 50 and in great shape so I do workout hard. I own a True Z5 treadmill, its high quality and goes for $3500. I like the Z5 a lot, great machine and I used it hard. These days I'm focused on my C2 and use the Z5 only 2 to 4 days/mo. I have had a C2 Model D for 18 mos. I have a dynamic in a box that I am assembling today, I got it because the size fits better in the room.

In summary the C2 will give you all the cardio you need and easily take your heart to 100% or any rate you want by simply pulling that pace number.

Comparing the cost/benefit the C2 wins so easily. It will cost you just $1,000 and come with a 2 yr warranty. It needs little maintenance and they don't break. A model D stores in very little space. In use it does take about a 9x2 foot space.

Should you not like the C2 a big plus is they sell easily on CraigsList and for a good price. Good luck selling your used TM. Also the 2 yr warranty applies to the used buyer, no so for the TM. Its easy for the used buyer to take it in a car vs TMs are hard to move. I think you do have 30 days to return it.

Where the TM wins is it is easy to get on, set a speed and incline and jst keep up to do the work out. It is easier. As a clothes hanger it works much better.

If there is a downside to the C2 ..."it's hard work to row". Its a full body multi-joint workout. The work goes from legs to back to hands, and the hands can get calloused. You have to set the rate by the way you pull and monitor it every stroke. If you want to suceed with a C2 I would suggest you start slow and give your body time to adapt. The UK interactive workout plans are excellent at predicting workout pace rates for each of 5 cardio intensity levels. Make sure and take the time to mix in less intense UT1 and UT2 works. Once you get strong at rowing its kind of hard to pull easy.

I've decided I want to focus on rowing. Cardio is a no brainer, both TM and C2 will do it well. I think the C2 will give me muscles and shape that the TM can never provide. That does require hard work.

[kini62]

Looking at c2 vs. treadmill.

Looking for serious cardio exerciser.

I know that I can get my heart rate up easily with a treadmill, but have no access to a c2 for comparison.

I think the c2 is a simpler design (last longer) than a treadmill and much more storable, and cheaper price, than a comparable treadmill.

So my question is, Will a C2 get a fairly in shape guy's heart rate comparably to a treadmill?


Thank you,
Dave S.

It's close. IME though you can get your HR up higher and for a longer period of time on a treadmill (or running outside or on a track) than you can on the erg.

No doubt the erg is a great cardio workout but running is a little better from a strictly cardio perspective.

Benefits of the erg are no impact, less expensive, virtually maintenance free, easy to store/move/setup. Nearly a total body workout.

Negative- it's a non weight bearing exercise so you don't get the bone density benefits of running or even walking, requires it to be done indoors or always stationary. Can be quite boring at times.

I use my erg for about half my workouts now, I bike some and I run 2-3 miles 2-3 times a week. I used to run 50-60 miles/week until a knee injury put an end to that. The erg has been a godsend for me. It is well worth the price and if I could only do one exercise I would choose the erg.

Gene

[slwiser]

Negative- it's a non weight bearing exercise so you don't get the bone density benefits of running or even walking, requires it to be done indoors or always stationary. ...
Gene

In reference to this note above check out this link concerning this paper: Indoor Rowing For Bone Health

It can be link to from here on the UK Concept 2 web site: http://concept2.co.uk/training/osteoporosis

[lazyguy]

Thank you, ALL for you're input.

I just ordered a c2 D, last night.

I've asked a lot of people I know personaly who do a lot of cardio, but, everyone's opinion was rower wouldn't work well for cardio. I was HOPING otherwise!!!!

All of these were OPINIONS, no one owned one!

From everything I've read about the C2, I like the simplicity of the machine, repair history, storability, low impact, and price.

I just needed someone to help sell me one:)

Sold!

Thank you, AGAIN.
Dave S.

[enrage]

for cardio, the rower kicks my butt.
erging is nothing but work but like the saying goes, the harder it is...the better it must be for you.

[Bob S.]

I've asked a lot of people I know personaly who do a lot of cardio, but, everyone's opinion was rower wouldn't work well for cardio. I was HOPING otherwise!!!!

All of these were OPINIONS, no one owned one!

Dave S.

"wouldn't work well for cardio" I find it incredible that anyone could say that. At the end of July, 2003, I had open heart surgery - an aortic valve replacement and 3X bypass. I live out in the boonies and was on my own for post-op cardio rehab. What I came up with was erging on my old model B, occasional treadmill (walking only) and moderate weight work at a local fitness center, and taking local hikes. Because of the time involved, the erg was the most convenient and therefore the primary cardio exercise. At the end of January, 2005, exactly 18 months to the day after the operation, I entered my first post-op competition and qualified for the free round trip flight to Boston. Just one year later, I became the first octogenarian to break 8' in the 2k. I must attribute most of my recovery from the operation to the cardio work that I did on the erg.

Bob S.

[jliddil]

I think once you have the technique down you will find you can amp your HR as high on the erg as a treadmill. Regarding bone density and weight bearing, there are various opinions and the type of exercise. Cyclist for example can exhibit osteoporosis:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20432201

Now having had recent experience with bone density and fractures, I've learned a great deal about calcium flux in the body. Weight bearing exercise is important and ideally you do it across your whole body head to toe. Running is not helping the upper body much. Erging can help with hip fractures prevention as can simply walking though I can tell you from reading the literature almost all studies have been done in older (>60) adults. Yes erging can help but the calcium sink must be kept tanked up. Your body will draw calcium from one area to rebuild another.

At least in my case time will tell if erging AFTER a hip fracture can help maintain bone density and promote improved healing of the site after the initial healing has occurred.

[slwiser]

I had a 4xCABG (quadruple-bypass surgery on the heart) and the C2 (now with slides) rower is the BEST cardio I have done.

[carlb]

Thank you, ALL for you're input.
I just ordered a c2 D, last night.

Congrats!

A few other thinkgs you may want to add to your order and save shipping
Seat pad for $3.50 - Easy to take off if you don't like it, I always use it.
PM4 for $150 - I have a PM3 on D and got a PM4 on Dynamic. The PM4 seems to have snappier performance but I don't really know if it has a better processor, graphics are the same. Includes a Garmin ANT HR belt and its pretty nice. You get some extra games. Its more likely future software enhancements will be for PM4. Rechargable battery,

If you get the PM3 then order the HR transmitter for $25. I like my Sigma Sport PC-15 HRM about $60 on Amazon. All the needed features, way cheaper then Polar/Garmin, works really great, I've had it 2 or 3 years.

The $47 shorts are very nicely made, not sure they improve my performance.

[Tall Man]

Carl,
Are you saying the Sigma monitor works via the "Polar" pickup with a PM3 (or in my case a PM2)?

[luckylindy]

One other advantage of the C2 is the resale value. You can turn around and sell a $900 C2 two years later for $750 (or even higher), while even a $3,000 gym-grade treadmill will halve in price after your first use. This was the final straw for me ... I realized that worst case I'd be out $100-150 if I decided I didn't like it (I've since rowed 800,000 meters in my first 4 months).