Rowing machine recommendation
Discussion
dpends how often you are going to use it and how committed you are... if you wait a few months people will be selling the ones they bought with the best of intentions but never got round to using, hence you may get a bargain come April... not much use if you want one now though.
my gym, like many others, use concept 2, they really are very good and very reliable, ours take a lot of abuse from general high usage and peopel with crap technique. its worth paying the extra if you are going to use it a lot.
it mihgt be worth popping into the local gyms and having a go on theirs (just say you are interested in joining etc tc, most are doing trial memberships at this time of year anyway) to see what you think.
if i were buying one i would not hesitate to pay the cash for a concept 2 but then i know i would use it every day.
my gym, like many others, use concept 2, they really are very good and very reliable, ours take a lot of abuse from general high usage and peopel with crap technique. its worth paying the extra if you are going to use it a lot.
it mihgt be worth popping into the local gyms and having a go on theirs (just say you are interested in joining etc tc, most are doing trial memberships at this time of year anyway) to see what you think.
if i were buying one i would not hesitate to pay the cash for a concept 2 but then i know i would use it every day.
Would intend to use it 3 times a week, currently 'borrow' the wifes cross trainer, but that's stuck in the garage and I fancy summat in the spare room in front of a TV!
Noticed a Kettler rowing machine on Ebay which seemed a good brand?
Concept is more than I would want to pay at the moment, got a car to pay for!!
But something middle of the road would be good....
Noticed a Kettler rowing machine on Ebay which seemed a good brand?
Concept is more than I would want to pay at the moment, got a car to pay for!!
But something middle of the road would be good....
If you've got the room then get a Concept 2. They are ace. Well built, fold up if you need them to, lots of accessories (including a nice rubber cushion 
), big user base and web site - best £1000 I ever spent (some 7 years ago and still used very regularly).
If you get a cheap alternative I bet you'll regret it.
BTW, you won't be able to hear the telly over the top of any good rowing machine unless the volume is right up.
), big user base and web site - best £1000 I ever spent (some 7 years ago and still used very regularly). If you get a cheap alternative I bet you'll regret it.
BTW, you won't be able to hear the telly over the top of any good rowing machine unless the volume is right up.
Edited by Vlad. on Thursday 22 January 13:15
I've got a WaterRower...easily the best...quieter than the Concept2 (no big fan, just a paddle through water) and a nice watery sound too. More natural than the air-resistance ones.
http://www.waterrower.com/
http://www.waterrower.com/
berry100 said:
Decided on the Concept 2 since trying one at the weekend....
Just need to find one on the cheap now!
Anyone on here got one to flog quick?
Funnily enough selling mine has been on my to do list for a while as not using it much. Model D bought directly from Concept in mid 2007, also has the optional floor mat. Happy to sell for a fair price (as per whatever recent ebay sales were). Its in Leeds.Just need to find one on the cheap now!
Anyone on here got one to flog quick?
Note: Its the redesigned version (Concept screwed up earlier ones and sent out diy kits for owners to fit themselves, mine is the revised model which came after.
Edited by amir_j on Monday 2nd February 20:54
amir_j said:
berry100 said:
Decided on the Concept 2 since trying one at the weekend....
Just need to find one on the cheap now!
Anyone on here got one to flog quick?
Funnily enough selling mine has been on my to do list for a while as not using it much. Model D bought directly from Concept in mid 2007, also has the optional floor mat. Happy to sell for a fair price (as per whatever recent ebay sales were). Its in Leeds.Just need to find one on the cheap now!
Anyone on here got one to flog quick?
Note: Its the redesigned version (Concept screwed up earlier ones and sent out diy kits for owners to fit themselves, mine is the revised model which came after.
Edited by amir_j on Monday 2nd February 20:54
So for those in the know, what should I be doing on my newly purchased used Concept 2 rower.
Had a look on the Concept website to look at the basic fitness training...and for generally unfit people ie me!!! It says to start at 20/24 SPM for 1 minute and repeat 5 times with 30 sec breaks stepping it up to 8 * 1 min when comfortable, then onto 5 * 2 minutes with 30 sec intervals and so on...
Just had a go, and found it to be fairly comfortable doing 1.5 minutes and repeating 5 times...with 24 SPM proving fairly comfortable..
Oh...and I had the resistance thingy or whatever it is set at 7, believe 10 is the top setting..
Now I'm not going to overdo it but anyone got any tips on the best way to approach this for the first time..
Would want to build up to doing 20/30 min per session eventually..3/4 times a week..
Thanks in advance...
Had a look on the Concept website to look at the basic fitness training...and for generally unfit people ie me!!! It says to start at 20/24 SPM for 1 minute and repeat 5 times with 30 sec breaks stepping it up to 8 * 1 min when comfortable, then onto 5 * 2 minutes with 30 sec intervals and so on...
Just had a go, and found it to be fairly comfortable doing 1.5 minutes and repeating 5 times...with 24 SPM proving fairly comfortable..
Oh...and I had the resistance thingy or whatever it is set at 7, believe 10 is the top setting..
Now I'm not going to overdo it but anyone got any tips on the best way to approach this for the first time..
Would want to build up to doing 20/30 min per session eventually..3/4 times a week..
Thanks in advance...
Ok a couple of things here
Firstly technique is vital so watch the demos on the C2 website (I think) or on the web elsewhere - basic things like keeping legs down whist hands go over, means the chain will never wobble and that's important.
SPD for 24 is about right for a decent distance workout, try not to go much higher unless you are sprinting. As for the resistance dial, that should be at about 4/5 and nothing more or less, whatever anyone else tells you. Up at 7 or over and the wheel slows so much you'll strain your lower back in no time.
There are loads of different workouts you can do, the interval based one you mention is good, but you need to mix it with long distance stuff as well.
By the way, go and buy yourself a basic Polar heart rate monitor, it makes all the difference to training and really helps quanitfy improvements
To get a decent 20-30mins try mixing 2 types of training
Interval training - like you mentioned, and probably worth sticking to that programme to start with, although make sure that the /500m split remains fairly constant
When you are getting fitter you can add a similar one for another day which is sprint based. Essentially 1minute on, 1 minute rest x 12 and then rest for 20mins and repeat.
the key here is to pick a split time (/500m) that you think you can maintain for all 12 reps, it'll feel easy to start with and be killing you by the end. You can rate whatever you can manage on this - 30-32 max would be ideal
This is great for really pushing your heart, but don't start with this and have a heart attack!!
On alternate days, try a steady piece. Pick a split time, gently get up there and try and hold it there for 10mins, then 12, 14 etc etc. Or try and bring that split time down by 0.01s each week. This is where a Heart rate monitor is great, you can pick a max HR for yourself, perhaps around 130-140 to start with and then hold your heart at that level for thr 10 or 20 minutes that you are training. If you do that 2 or 3 times a week you'll see that the distance you cover will gradually increase and it's a great motivator.
You can also monitor the time it takes for your heart to get back below 100, which is a great fitness indicator
Anyway, too much waffling, but HTH
Firstly technique is vital so watch the demos on the C2 website (I think) or on the web elsewhere - basic things like keeping legs down whist hands go over, means the chain will never wobble and that's important.
SPD for 24 is about right for a decent distance workout, try not to go much higher unless you are sprinting. As for the resistance dial, that should be at about 4/5 and nothing more or less, whatever anyone else tells you. Up at 7 or over and the wheel slows so much you'll strain your lower back in no time.
There are loads of different workouts you can do, the interval based one you mention is good, but you need to mix it with long distance stuff as well.
By the way, go and buy yourself a basic Polar heart rate monitor, it makes all the difference to training and really helps quanitfy improvements
To get a decent 20-30mins try mixing 2 types of training
Interval training - like you mentioned, and probably worth sticking to that programme to start with, although make sure that the /500m split remains fairly constant
When you are getting fitter you can add a similar one for another day which is sprint based. Essentially 1minute on, 1 minute rest x 12 and then rest for 20mins and repeat.
the key here is to pick a split time (/500m) that you think you can maintain for all 12 reps, it'll feel easy to start with and be killing you by the end. You can rate whatever you can manage on this - 30-32 max would be ideal
This is great for really pushing your heart, but don't start with this and have a heart attack!!
On alternate days, try a steady piece. Pick a split time, gently get up there and try and hold it there for 10mins, then 12, 14 etc etc. Or try and bring that split time down by 0.01s each week. This is where a Heart rate monitor is great, you can pick a max HR for yourself, perhaps around 130-140 to start with and then hold your heart at that level for thr 10 or 20 minutes that you are training. If you do that 2 or 3 times a week you'll see that the distance you cover will gradually increase and it's a great motivator.
You can also monitor the time it takes for your heart to get back below 100, which is a great fitness indicator
Anyway, too much waffling, but HTH
Vee said:
Where can I get a Concept2 C for £225 ?
I'll buy one now ! eBay ones are £400+
The one I bought was on Ebay but I was lucky enough to agree a price for cash on collection and a nice chap he was to, whilst it still had 6 days to run I'll buy one now ! eBay ones are £400+
so very pleased with the price I got it for...Edited by berry100 on Friday 6th February 17:51
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