heart rate question

rrharenberg · Post by **rrharenberg** » February 17th, 2008, 12:52 pm

I am new to rowing and come from a running background. I have been working out with a drag factor of 127 and a stroke rate of 25. I have been having trouble getting my heart rate up as high as I would like. Should I try for a higher stroke rate?

philrow · Post by **philrow** » February 17th, 2008, 2:22 pm

A higher stroke rate will certainly help get your heart rate up. And your drag factor is fine.

Phil

almostflipped · Post by **almostflipped** » February 17th, 2008, 4:18 pm

Just remember that your training HR for rowing will likely be lower than what it was for running. Different muscles worked and different physical position leads to a different relative max heart rate.

In terms of stroke rate, no need to go higher, just push harder with your legs. The issue at the moment is more likely that you are getting used to the rowing motion and not able to fully utilize your own strengths yet. Focus on pushing harder with your legs, prying the back open, and squeezing that finish in. If the effort is high, and effective, you can just about max out your HR at an 18.

jamesg · Post by **jamesg** » February 18th, 2008, 5:09 am

RR
If you get your power output higher than 2 W/kg, your HR should follow.

This is done by pulling long strong strokes, long above all, with plenty of rest on the recovery. In rowing the stroke is fundamental, that's what moves the boat. However, due to the fact that we use almost all our muscle, two legs at time, oars which give a certain gearing and boats that go faster and further when we're NOT pulling, the rhythm is completely different from most other sports. The erg simulates this reasonably well, and you have to adapt to what the machine or boat want.

It's difficult to say any more, not knowing your height, weight, sex, age, the pace and HR you reached etc.

rrharenberg · Post by **rrharenberg** » March 3rd, 2008, 12:12 pm

Thanks for the help. I am a male, 51, 6'4', 185. I am still getting used to the feel of rowing but I reached a max heart rate of 126 during a 5000 row. I averaged a time of 2:16. I know I have a long way to go. I haven't been able to get back on it because I just had knee surgery but I'm looking forward to it.

coggs · Post by **coggs** » March 3rd, 2008, 4:31 pm

That HB at a 2:16 pace sounds about right assuming your are reasonably fit. As you start to get a feel for the erg you will be able to drop the split times and I can guarantee you HB will rise. I'm the same age as you (wish I could get down to 185lbs!) and I think you will find that as you approach a 2:00 split your HB will be in the low 150's. But concentrate on developing your form now. Long hard pulls with relaxed recovery. Read all you can on how to split the motion into catch, drive, release & recovery and body position during each part of the stoke. There is no sense in learning bad form just to get your pulse up.

kipkeino68 · Post by **kipkeino68** » March 3rd, 2008, 5:02 pm

I also do both running and indoor rowing. I reach low 180s heart rate doing a hard track workout.
I was hitting 182 doing repeat 1000's on the erg. (36spm)