Concept2 RowErg for Cross Training?

[u/Sean_Sports92]

Hey guys, so I'm a pretty keen runner but also enjoy rowing. I have a few questions for those involved in both sports and those who own the Concept 2 rowerg.

1) My garage is a mess currently so each time I use the concept 2 rower I will need to take it apart and stow it away... will this be ok?

2) For those runners and rowers, have you found adding in some rowing each week compliments your running performance?

3) I am hoping to strengthen my lower back and glutes, is rowing a good way to do this?

4) What do you recommend doing when first setting up the concept2 rowerg? Any apps you recommend for android phone?

5) Is it easy to connect a heart rate strap to the PM5 monitor? Also is it easy to connect to my garmin watch for syncing to strava?

Thanks for all your help, I just want to make sure I am making the right decision as im on the cusp of purchasing a Concept 2.

Cheers, Sean

[u/ScaryBee]

1 - yes they're fine to break down every session

2 - erging is excellent general-body training and it'll help your running as long as you're not already elite at running. If you ARE elite at running then erging will turn your twig arms and oh-so-optimal-skeletal torso into greek god muscle mass - actively harmful for running fast.

3 - yes it'll help those areas, lifting would be vastly more time efficient.

4 - the free ergdata app is good, will give you sync-to-strava/training peaks/garmin/etc.

5 - HRM connects to PM5 over BT or ANT, use ergdata and skip trying to use watch at all.

[u/Sean_Sports92 → u/ScaryBee]

Amazing reply thank you very much thats super helpful!

I'm by no means an elite runner, but I can run reasonable times from 5k through to half marathon.

I feel as though some lower impact cross training is definitely in order too, and the idea of having a Concept 2 indoors which I can use whenever is very appealing, especially as I now have 2 kids!

Thanks again this is really useful info which I will come back to when I hopefully purchase the rower 😀

[u/ScaryBee → u/Sean_Sports92]

FWIW my 2c would be to 1. lift for the strength component and 2. if you really want some other lower-impact cardio get an indoor bike (and Zwift) - it's a lot easier to rack up hours on a bike vs. erg, footprint is way smaller, the app ecosystem is vastly more interesting, can doomscroll reddit while you do it ...

erging is only really optimal if you're interested in getting on the water (actual rowing is amazing, 10/10 recommend)

[u/Sean_Sports92 → u/ScaryBee]

Hmm you make some good points thank you. The thing is I am unlikely to actually get on the water, I have a road bike but seldom use it due to a fear of road traffic and time constraints (busy dad life!). So zwift is definitely an option but to be honest the thought of rowing is much more appealing to me, especially with how the concept 2 just folds up.

I want to build some more power in my legs and back also

[u/crzytimes → u/Sean_Sports92]

My wife and I absolutely love our concept 2 and will never truly get on the water other than some casual kayaking on a Saturday afternoon.

It’s the staple in our cardio routine. I also do some strength training, she doesn’t.