Fat Noob needs starting advice

[Ombrax]

After a week and a half of use, using every day except for 1

YMMV, but when starting out (for example after a winter of not riding the bike) I've found that my body is much happier if I don't try to do too much too quickly. If I do, I end up with issues with my knees (bike) or elbows or shoulders (erg). Be sure you give yourself enough rest and build distance and effort gradually. There's plenty of time to improve, and you're less likely to have setbacks.

[canglem]

After a week and a half of use, using every day except for 1

YMMV, but when starting out (for example after a winter of not riding the bike) I've found that my body is much happier if I don't try to do too much too quickly. If I do, I end up with issues with my knees (bike) or elbows or shoulders (erg). Be sure you give yourself enough rest and build distance and effort gradually. There's plenty of time to improve, and you're less likely to have setbacks.

One bit of advice I found on here is that if your body is sore or stiff from the previous day, then don't push it that day. I did take yesterday off, as I was away bowling 6 games in state tournament and then attended the soccer match yesterday evening, and may have to take today off as well as my shoulders are a bit sore from my 3 year old riding them on the roughly 3/4 mile walk to and from the car before and after the match.

I do have to say that even after just 2 weeks of using the rower minimally (compared to everyone else) I can definitely tell a difference. I felt MUCH better yesterday after bowling 6 games than I used to.