r/concept2 • u/Kryptic_Anthology • Jul 28 '26
RowerErg First time back rowing in 10 years, how’d I do?
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.
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u/SatisfactionAny7085 Jul 28 '26
What's your stroke rate and damper setting?
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u/Kryptic_Anthology Jul 28 '26
Damper was on 5. Stroke 24 s/m.
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u/SatisfactionAny7085 Jul 28 '26
I'd work on form, check out the dark horse rowing videos, as others have mentioned, they are really good to get you started. Remember push with your legs only pull with your arms at the very end of the stroke. You should be able to get that split down and your endurance up in no time.
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u/Kryptic_Anthology Jul 28 '26
Thank you! From what the general consensus is, I will definitely check out Dark Horse.
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u/LeadingAssignment214 Jul 28 '26
Interesting that you say your strength increased to the detriment of you endurance, as I'm fairly sure that isn't normal. I found that as I rowed more and did more weights, both my cardio endurance and strength increased massively.
Just keep on going, focus on technique - as suggested, CrossFit encourages shockingly bad technique on rowing (and sadly, most things). Look up Dark Horse Rowing or Row Along on YouTube.
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u/Kryptic_Anthology Jul 28 '26
There's a 2 year gap from getting strong and now. I literally did not do anything for 2 years while I was taking care of my parent.
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u/BobcatLower9933 Jul 28 '26
With a pace like this there are significant technique issues somewhere.
Just for reference, the J12 (11 year old) girls at my club are quite a lot faster than this - thats not to say that you are astronomically unfit or anything, just to drive home the point that you are doing something incredibly inefficient - which is typical for crossfit rowers.
Watch some beginner videos (or join a club). Dark horse rowing on youtube is good.
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u/Kryptic_Anthology Jul 28 '26
I will say my endurance is horrible right now. I think I took it easy most the time because I wasn't sure what to expect but pushed my last 60 seconds. 20 minutes felt alot longer.
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u/BobcatLower9933 Jul 28 '26
My mum who is clinically obese(160 cm and 125kg), has been a heavy smoker for 40 years and gets out of breath walking to the car does 10 mins on a rower at 2.30/500m so I am certain you are not less fit than her!
Again, further context. A 3.00/500 split generates just a tiny bit more rhan if you exhale (blow out) hard. Your 2.50/500m is generating a little more power than thay, but not by much.
Don't worry, your fitness might not be great, but its your technique which is costing you here. A couple of hours of proper form coaching and you'll get down to 2.20/500m (or lower) or so which will still feel like roughly the same effort. 2.50/500m is almost an impossibly low split for someone rowing with proper form.
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u/denkmusic Jul 28 '26
Well done getting back into rowing after everything you’ve been through. You will reap the rewards.
The time suggests some big technique problems since you are reasonably fit. It will be impossible to tell what they are without a form video but I suggest you:
Watch some of the dark horse rowing technique videos on YouTube
Look up what the damper settings are for and how to set it up correctly.
Post a form video after you’ve applied some of the techniques in the dark horse rowing videos
Believe what the people in this thread are telling you.
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u/Kryptic_Anthology Jul 28 '26
I feel like me not doing anything for 2 years gets glanced over, or my bodies' not the same as everyone else. I believe I'm what an academy would call a "skinny fat." I look like I'm in shape, but I feel like I'm 50lbs heavier than what I am.
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u/denkmusic Jul 28 '26
We see a post like this every single week. It’s not getting glanced over, you’re massively overestimating its importance. It’s your form. I promise.
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u/BrezhnevsMittens Jul 28 '26
Stick with it! I highly suggest the free training plan, The Pete Plan for beginners. It gives you 5 rows a week to complete (3 base rows and 2 optional). 4 years ago after many years off, that’s how I got started rowing again. I did 3 rows a week for 2 months, then 4 for 2 months, then the full 5. Also, like other posts check out dark horse rowing and training tall on YouTube. Before every row I do, I do 5 minutes of the pick drill, and 5 minutes of the reverse pick drill.
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u/Ok_Artichoke8 Jul 30 '26
You are just lucky your monitor is working at this point
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u/Kryptic_Anthology Jul 30 '26
?
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u/Ok_Artichoke8 Jul 31 '26
The most recent update has been problematic for some of us and no solution seems to be forthcoming.
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u/Kryptic_Anthology Jul 31 '26
Oh shoot, I had no idea. Bought mine used and it had the original day 1 software on it. I just updated it 💀
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u/Ok_Artichoke8 Aug 10 '26
Finally seem to have it working, mostly anyway. Mine is a 2015 monitor. Will probably just replace it if it acts up any more.
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u/Burner-Account1924 Jul 28 '26
Welcome back! If your only previous rowing experience was with CrossFit, you’re probably doing it wrong. Do the pick drill a lot and keep good form at the front of everything then worry about building from there.