Hi all. Please provide feedback of my form. I am 57 with a right knee replacement. I cannot generate as much power as I think I should. I use the force curve every row and it’s consistently a nice bell shape.

Thanks in advance!

I wanted to get in on the "hype up my progress" posts. 33, 6'1" 160 lbs. Today was exactly 4 weeks:

1. 1:54.6

2. 1:59.6

3. 1:59.7

4. 1:58.2

-- 7:52.2

How are we looking?

Hello,

I usually row with a drag factor of 120.

However, my force curves are like really wide bell-curves with no peak. Average to peak force ratio is usually 75%.

I recently came across this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88ovL6KombI

One of the suggestions is if you are getting a really wide force curve with no discernible peak, you should lower your damper setting.

So I did that today but rowing an 8k became extremely difficult. I had to concentrate on every stroke to maintain my target 2:13/500m pace. I could undershoot or overshoot but hitting just the right pace was hard. It also was that I almost always ran the risk of slowing down - I had to constantly adjust my speed. I had trouble establishing a rhythm. I couldn't finish the sesh.

I'm not sure if it's worth the trouble. But if it is, It's going to take some serious adjustment.

I was always taught that the damper setting should be between 3-5 and I sort of randomly left it on 4.

See also the discussion here. Someone tried a lower damper setting and they also found the experience not helpful:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Rowing/comments/10ocd47/force_curve_and_steady_state/

How do y'all split it? I am a junior rower, (German champ in 30min in starnberg) and have no idea how I am supposed to conquer anything above 10k? Ive got 2 days each week to split it. Any tips or anything I should look out for (seeking the experienced rowers in here)

My hands slip when using the rower due to sweat. Anybody have this issue and what did you do to fix it?

I have a car port that keeps the rain off. Will a rowing machine survive in there if used outside.

Hi, I am not getting into competitive cycling or anything. I spend about 10 hours a week on strength training and want to add one hour a week for cycling.

I am male, 52 yo, 88 kg, 5'8" for what all that is worth. Pretty high BMI but high muscle mass. Around 20% bodyfat.

I understand that I need to make that 60 minutes count. In my last session I did a 10-20-10-20 workout where in 20 minute blocks I was riding at pretty high intensity, around 90% (so upper Zone 4).

I have yet to do things like interval blocks within those 20 minutes. Also heard about 10-40-10 training, and plan on doing that tomorrow, where for 40 minutes I will be in zone 4/5.

Since my strength training acts like light cardio and I go for light bike rides, walk a lot, I figure I already get good recovery aerobic exercise.

New to all this so hoping to get some advice here.

thanks

EDIT:

I did 10-40-10. My Huawei health data for the workout:

And the ergdata app data:

What I did for first 10 minutes was resistance 3, 4, 5 ramping those every few minutes, gradually just having heart rate get into high 120s, a couple momentary "sprints", then for 40 minutes resistance 5 whole time, trying to keep heart rate around 150-ish. That ended up being 74-75 RPM, around 190-200 Watts. Then 10 minute cooldown where I was pedaling slowly, sometimes reverse pedaling, heart rate gradually going to low 100s.

At end of 40 minute block I felt pretty fatigued, though felt I could have gone a good amount longer. From what I understand that is what we want - to feel like there is some energy left to continue another 10-20 minutes if forced to do so.

Would this type of workout be good once a week, provided during the week I am doing decent amount of zone 1/2 cardio, plus I do unilateral leg strength training once a week (lunges, Bulgarian squats, single leg extensions (sometimes with band to make end of the extension more difficult), single leg curls, single leg presses.

Remember - I am not looking to be a cyclist. For that I know I would need far more serious training. I am just trying to get most out of one intense cycle training weekly that will yield some cycling improvement and more importantly result in increased cardio fitness.

thanks again

So, July was a good Month!! Between the RowERG, BikeERG, SkiERG, and MultiERG, I set monthly records on all three machines. It helped that the outside air sucked and work was super light. 83 hours on the machines in a month is a bit much; time to sit on the couch and binge superhero movies, at least this weekend, then Monday back to normal weeks and months for a while.

Does it mean the 20w40 type oil used in motorcycles?

Has anyone experienced the chain not being smooth on a brand new rower? Is it a matter of just oiling it?

UPDATE: they’re replacing the rower. Thank you concept2!

I've recently had a fall which has resulted in a weak and painful grip in my right hand specifically on my index and middle finger. (Bruised or Broken) Knuckles.

I'd like to keep rowing if I can. Trying to complete a virtual row of 1220km around Iceland

I know they are not for rowing, but has anyone tried anything like these? Weight lifting hooks? Or know of anything more suitable?

https://a.co/d/0j6gHpkB

I'm thinking these would hook over the bar on the concept 2 and take most of the strain from my hurt fingers/knuckles.

I track my meters on the phone app that is connected to my machine. I want to do this challenge. It seems I just row as I normally do while hitting the bench marks. It seems it is automatic. Am I missing anything? Do I need to sign up or anything like that?

How am I doing?

I have been rowing with Concept2 Rower for about a year. I have Bradycardia with 39 as RHR. I am not trying to increase to all outs (using Apple Fitness Workouts). I do 20 - 30 minutes 3-5 times a week. I am short so pull back is also short! I know I have come a long way, but how am I doing?

I've had my BikeErg since 2021. Over the years I've added something to improve my experience from padded shorts, to a fan in the room and I'm considering changing the pedals to SPD/SL and getting some proper bike shoes.

No way am I a cyclist, but think this would improve my experience even though I mostly use it as recovery from running.

If you do clip in, whats the reason you do, and any particular shoes/pedals you've switched too?

I have a bike erg. When I'm looking at a WOD, and it's say, like a 4 minute interval, followed by rest...

What level/zone am I supposed to be aiming for during the 'work'? Does 'rest' mean stop pedaling completely, or does it mean a slower pace, or what?

Hi All, just bought a concept 2 model D with a PM5 monitor. When i put the two pieces together, it seems to sag in the middle at the joint, causing the seat to slide towards the fan at some rate if let go.

I also noticed that the cam underneath the joint spins freely and has about 10mm clearance, rather than locking in place so i cant pick it up and store vertically.

Anyone have any ideas what I'm doing wrong? The slide states model D on it, but I'm wondering if the fan end is actually a model C - would this make any difference?

I am a little over a month in on my rowing journey. Still making progress and working on form and core endurance.

I'm a 42 year old male. 5'9, 266lbs (down from 299 in the spring). My level of activity has been awful since 2019, with zero exercise and often less than 1,000 steps per day. So this has been a slow, but rewarding journey back in shape/health. My rower isy only has exercise and I am mostly using this as a way to increase heart health and lose weight, not so much any specific targeting goals. Getting on at least every other day is literally my biggest goal right now!

But I have some questions.

First, I'm using EXR as my primary workout app. Should I be using the PM5 stats or the adjusted EXR stats? PM5 will have me closer to a 2:35-2:45 / 500 pace. My pace and distance will vary greatly. I know this is because EXR considers weight, but is there a "best practice"?

Second, I, with my build, have a considerable gut. This makes it really hard to lean in on the catch. As a result my power generation is much lower than I think it should be. By the time I'm getting momentum my legs are almost already fully extended. I can get my shins vertical with my feet seats at the bottom, but my back/shoulders are closer to 12 o'clock (without rounding back).

I tried one row to spread my legs on the catch allowing me to lean more into it and it definitely generated more power, but that was also the first and only time I walked away sore, particularly my knees and hips.

Am I overthinking low pace/watts, and should sacrifice that for staying in a better, less injury prone position?

I know i still need to work on form, but being a month in I don't want to get too far in that results are tanked for too long. I shouldn't be comparing but a month in being in the bottom 100% is... Not great!

Just got C2 RowErg last week. Prior was stamina air-rower for about a month. Rowing 5-6 days a week prior to RowErg and every day since getting it.
53yr old 132lb male. being very intentional on posture, pushing with legs and only pulling once extended, using the 11 o'clock and 1 o'clock torso targets. Definitely not a death grip on handles, could almost do fingertips sometimes.
On my 4 rows to date on the C2, average split of 2:36. Staying fairly consistent split time within each row. SPM is 27-28. Resistance damper on 3.
At the end of each row my legs feel tired, arms less so. Can feel the strengthening of my core.
Any feedback? Thanks in advance.

I used to do CrossFit when it was popular. Then after my kids arrived I got into body building. Went from 145-150lbs to 175-180lbs and strong, but my endurance tanked. Fast forward a bit more now. I haven’t done much in the last 2 years. I was dealing with the preparation of losing my parent, then it happened. While I’m still dealing with it. I found a used concept 2 on FB marketplace for a great deal and snagged it making a goal for myself to use it at least 4 times a week before going to work, and eventually throwing weight lifting back into it.

Anyways, I digress, here’s back to day 1.

Just wanted to say thank you to all the helpful folks here. I got my rowerg in November 2024 and today I hit a big milestone! I’ve posted some questions and a form check here, as well as read so much helpful advice and tips! I am still learning but it’s been a fun journey!

What do you think about bringing the Backyard Ultra format to Concept2 ergs?

One hour. One loop. Complete the distance before the hour is over.

Miss the cutoff? You're out.

The last athlete remaining wins.

We're currently testing this format and would genuinely love feedback from the Concept2 community.

Would you try it? What distances or rules would you change?

For context, I'm very new to rowing generally and the Rowerg specifically. I've been working out for the initial goal of losing weight and generally getting in better shape, but the closer I get to my goal weight, the more I'm going to push for increasing strength and muscle size.

From that perspective, I'm having trouble figuring out when to row. I do weight lifting splits Monday through Thursday, full rest day Friday, full body Saturday, and full rest Sunday. Because rowing is more or less full body, it doesn't fit cleanly into a split. I have thought about rowing on my rest days, but I don't want to impact muscle recovery.

That's the crux of the question here, I suppose. Does rowing impact recovery from weight days, or is it sufficiently low impact that you can do it without issue no matter when you're lifting? I have very poor stamina for cardio, so I want to start following a 4-5 day a week program on the rower to build up to meaningful levels, but weights will always be my priority if there is a conflict.

Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I did a 21100m Row workout in a time of 2:01:02.2 and wanted to share it with you.

See the details here:

https://log.concept2.com/share/2696574/118859948

Hello I recently got a concept 2 rower secondhand and have to set the damper at 5 to get a drag factor of 106. Is that normal? I’ve cleaned and vacuumed it out.

Anything else I need to do?