Concept2 Forum

Hello everyone, I’m new to rowing. Just got my D April 1st. I’ve been trying to get in some kind of daily workout. I’m not to saddened by my progress but of course there is always room for improvement.

After nearly 3 weeks I’ve got a 240m minute, 10:27 2k (striving for 8), 26:15 5k, 53:51 10k. I want to do half in May. Maybe even a full. First glance I think my force curve looks ok. Next post will probably needs to be a video.

Now for reference I’m a 49 yo retired Navy Chief, 60” (1.5m?), 130lb (59k?), long distance runner. That being said what are the advantages/disadvantages I have adhered of me being a tiny rower.

Welcome to the forum.

Put aside trying for fast times & learn to row properly. Intuitively, you would be doing it wrong. Look up pick drill & reverse pick on youtube & perform whenever you row.

Start easy, keep intensity low where you can maintain a conversation & attempt to increase duration.

Posting a video of yourself is a good idea.

Also, check here:

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=185257

Adekt wrote: ↑

April 19th, 2021, 6:59 pm

Hello everyone, I’m new to rowing. Just got my D April 1st. I’ve been trying to get in some kind of daily workout. I’m not to saddened by my progress but of course there is always room for improvement.

After nearly 3 weeks I’ve got a 240m minute, 10:27 2k (striving for 8), 26:15 5k, 53:51 10k. I want to do half in May. Maybe even a full. First glance I think my force curve looks ok. Next post will probably needs to be a video.

Now for reference I’m a 49 yo retired Navy Chief, 60” (1.5m?), 130lb (59k?), long distance runner. That being said what are the advantages/disadvantages I have adhered of me being a tiny rower.

The machine can’t see who pulls the chain, only feels how hard we pull, the smaller the rower the less mass he/she can work with. Rowers often are tall, toprowers are av. 193/2.03.
On the plus site shorter people often keep doing, relative speaking, when getting older.

Runners often lack upperbodymuscle, this needs to pick up and get stronger. Patience and time in the saddle help.

Welcome to the forum.

Being taller is an advantage, but it's only an advantage for setting records. If all you want to do is get fitter, and enjoy the erg, then there's no problem.

Stay patient, don't compare your performance, learn good technique and you should make good progress if you work regularly and intelligently.

As your background is running, you will probably take some time to adapt to the different stress and effort required as, generally speaking, it is difficult to be good at both.

Dangerscouse wrote: ↑

April 20th, 2021, 3:54 am

Stay patient, don't compare your performance,

+1

Don't compare yourself to others, but do track your improvement over time. Pick a few goals (e.g. some for speed in shorter rows, some for longer ones, where speed is not as important) and challenge yourself. How you do compared to others isn't that big a deal, as long as you achieve what you want.

So, as a small rower will I have a higher stroke rate? I’m thinking this because I much closer to the C2D fan/catch position.

Adekt wrote: ↑

April 21st, 2021, 10:29 am

So, as a small rower will I have a higher stroke rate? I’m thinking this because I much closer to the C2D fan/catch position.

Maybe some, but having a higher strokerate also very much depends on pace. A faster pace will have a faster drive. So in practise you often see the fastest rowers stroking the highest. Top level rowers often use rate 35 or even above over 2k. And they are mostly tall.

hjs wrote: ↑

April 21st, 2021, 11:16 am

Maybe some, but having a higher strokerate also very much depends on pace. A faster pace will have a faster drive. So in practise you often see the fastest rowers stroking the highest. Top level rowers often use rate 35 or even above over 2k. And they are mostly tall.

Thanks for the reply. As I’m settling in I’m seeing an average SPM of 28-30. I also have to work to slow down my stroke then holding there. I don’t feel like I’m using much force but the PM5 usually tells me otherwise. However, I am still learning.

Adekt wrote: ↑

April 21st, 2021, 1:21 pm

hjs wrote: ↑

April 21st, 2021, 11:16 am

Maybe some, but having a higher strokerate also very much depends on pace. A faster pace will have a faster drive. So in practise you often see the fastest rowers stroking the highest. Top level rowers often use rate 35 or even above over 2k. And they are mostly tall.

Thanks for the reply. As I’m settling in I’m seeing an average SPM of 28-30. I also have to work to slow down my stroke then holding there. I don’t feel like I’m using much force but the PM5 usually tells me otherwise. However, I am still learning.

When we come from another sport, the number thing we lack is balanced strenght for rowing, most aerobic trained people, runners, cyclist lack upperbody strenght, thats the first thing that needs adressing. Your aerobic fitness must be well trained, but you now can’t use that fully. For training, it could be better to lower your spm a bit more, even for a short/lighter rower like you. Focus on building a stronger stroke, in rowing for training 18/22 spm is very common. Maybe for you a bit low, but 24 could be ok. When you have build a stronger stroke and start rating up, you will be able to row a good bit faster.
From all endurance sports I do think rowing needs the most strenght, next to ofcourse aerobic fitness, but that is a given.