How can a newbie use row pro to stay motivated?

[Crazy]

I started rowing last month and I row for a 3-4 sessions and then lose motivation. Then I pick it up again after a week or so. I know at this rate I will be bored soon and my rower will sit there eating dust. I signed up for row pro which I heard some very good things about. But I have no idea how to use it effectively. Workouts are typically 30min and/or 2min pace and I'm still struggling to break 10min for 2K. I would love to have a daily online rowing at slow pace and short time before I head for work (6-7am US EST). Does anyone have any advice? Is it too early to use row pro if I am stuck at 2K@2:30 range?

I'm want to keep doing 2K for 6weeks as it takes 6 weeks to form a habit as they say. Then I can ramp up distance and introduce interval training etc. does that sound reasonable? I have done marathons in past so I know I can improve fast once I get into rowing.
stats: M38 5'10'' 136lbs best 2K-9:44

[jackarabit]

Based on my own experience, aps and tech toys can get between the rower and the handle. Too many learning curves (physical and intellectual) superposed can replace boredom with frustration and overload for some of us. Others may enjoy and thrive on mental accessorization. As to the immediate value of RP for beginners, I would rate the training program generator higher than online sessions. Old words such as schedule and habit have very little cache nowadays, but if one has a schedule and gets the habit of sticking to it, one doesn't have time to worry about motivation.

[Crazy]

That's good advice. I started the beginner training program. I may stick to this. First workout was 20min@24s which I did. Only problem is the program is 3 days a week and I think I need to row every single day to get into routine. So I will do 2k on rest of 4 days. The program is 8 weeks which is perfect.
Thanks jackrabbit for common sense wisdom.

[Carl Watts]

Get onto RowPro and use the online sessions and set something up or row with others if there is something already set-up at a suitable time.

RowPro V4.3 takes a bit of getting used to and I have downloaded and looked at the new V5.0 preview version and its been simplified so its easier to get online.

The changes needed to happen as too many people have RowPro and don't row online. The move to totally online needs to happen so the visibility to others and the popularity grows. Its only going to really take off when the numbers using it online increase and you can row with others at anytime day or night.

Rowing with others has helped me to continue to row for 6 years, otherwise like you the rower just sat there gathering dust, its just too boring for me to even contemplate rowing without RowPro. Its got to the point if I cannot get online I cannot row.

It doesn't matter what pace your doing but the most popular row is the 30 minute. There are people going from 1:43 pace to the 2:30 region. The key is to just go at your pace and to finish. Too many people think its a race and go for 10 minutes and pull out, this is very annoying if your rowing with them. Choose a pace you can finish, it doesn't matter how slow you perceive it to be, you all finish at the same time anyway.

[hjs]

I started rowing last month and I row for a 3-4 sessions and then lose motivation. Then I pick it up again after a week or so. I know at this rate I will be bored soon and my rower will sit there eating dust. I signed up for row pro which I heard some very good things about. But I have no idea how to use it effectively. Workouts are typically 30min and/or 2min pace and I'm still struggling to break 10min for 2K. I would love to have a daily online rowing at slow pace and short time before I head for work (6-7am US EST). Does anyone have any advice? Is it too early to use row pro if I am stuck at 2K@2:30 range?

I'm want to keep doing 2K for 6weeks as it takes 6 weeks to form a habit as they say. Then I can ramp up distance and introduce interval training etc. does that sound reasonable? I have done marathons in past so I know I can improve fast once I get into rowing.
stats: M38 5'10'' 136lbs best 2K-9:44

Not!

It should come from inside you. Working out is not a game, you do it for personal goals. Think about those, online stuff can help after that. But on itself its nothing.

[Pie Man]

Posting on this forum could help, why not post into the 'what training have you done today thread' after every training session. That will help track your improvement. You could also take some body measurements now and see how the training is improving them. For me it's some 'me time' I can't think about other things, I can just concentrate on the rowing, keeping my form as well as I can and my times on target.

[Crazy]

That's good suggestion pie. I will post results to keep myself accountable. I do need external accountability and some support system for first couple of months. I know that once it clicks I will stick to the way I did when I used to do with running.

[Pie Man]

I'll keep an eye out for your posts Crazy. I'm looking forward to my second session of training tonight, I have just started the Pete Plan Beginner training and will be posting my results up.