how fast can you row 2000 metres ?

[Henry Hawthorne]

Generally do around 8minutes on around 70% pressure, level 4/5 to replicate rowing on water, proper technique (not just blasting up and down the slide!).

Had a sprint comp with my double partner on Sunday, did a 1.39 on the same level for 500m but the stupid erg kept sliding all over the floor because I have just too much power We've going to brace the ergs today and have another 500m. I'll report back with my result!

[Digger]

tricky69 said:

Rules are :-

2000 metres
Concept 2 rower or similar
Resistance level 10
No false times - be honest !

lets see who the fastest is

My best is 7:44 about 10 years ago. Just started up again and managed to get down from 8:44 to 8:38. I set the machine up at Drag Factor (under More Options on a C2) 95 which equates to level 4ish. I have to use a lower level as it puts too much strain on my lower back and knees.

I'd be interested in peoples heights as I reckon the longer the levers (legs) the better the time. I am only 5ft6"!!

[Digger]

Henry Hawthorne said:

Generally do around 8minutes on around 70% pressure, level 4/5 to replicate rowing on water, proper technique (not just blasting up and down the slide!).

Had a sprint comp with my double partner on Sunday, did a 1.39 on the same level for 500m but the stupid erg kept sliding all over the floor because I have just too much power We've going to brace the ergs today and have another 500m. I'll report back with my result!

Same levels on different machines will still have slightly different resistances due to amount of dust covering the vents. More dust means easier rowing. Use Drag Factor to set them both up the same. How nerdy am I?!!

Edited by Digger on Wednesday 17th June 18:59

[EdJ]

So does the resistance level make a difference or not? My understanding is that it doesn't...

[Digger]

EdJ said:

So does the resistance level make a difference or not? My understanding is that it doesn't...

Errr. . .so why have it as an option? . . . , actually if the fan housing is very dusty fan it with a towel to blow dust off, and. . .you'd wish I hadn't suggested it. . .

Equate it to level 1 manning a lightweight scull and level 10 trying to row The Ark.

If you are physically and aerobically VERY strong and optimal as well as having VERY good joint health have a go at level 10 otherwise listen to your body and adjust accordingly.

Edited by Digger on Wednesday 17th June 23:24

[EdJ]

Okay... If that's the case, give me your best 2k time on level one and then on level ten? I suspect they will be very similar.

[Digger]

EdJ said:

Okay... If that's the case, give me your best 2k time on level one and then on level ten? I suspect they will be very similar.

No! Do your own experiments (On what do you base your "understanding"). I aint risking my joints for your jollies! Ask the manufacturer (Concept) instead.


I'll have a go at level 10 and hope I survive. Can people post the Drag Factor figure as there can be a huge difference between a dirty machine and a well maintained one!?!

Edited by Digger on Thursday 18th June 00:17

[tricky69]

EdJ said:

Okay... If that's the case, give me your best 2k time on level one and then on level ten? I suspect they will be very similar.

works like gears on a bike, level 10 hardest to pull but you will go faster... 1 is easy to pull but you need more reps to go the same speed, so as you say will be about the same time but reflects how much power you have

[tricky69]

Digger said:

tricky69 said:

Rules are :-

2000 metres
Concept 2 rower or similar
Resistance level 10
No false times - be honest !

lets see who the fastest is

My best is 7:44 about 10 years ago. Just started up again and managed to get down from 8:44 to 8:38. I set the machine up at Drag Factor (under More Options on a C2) 95 which equates to level 4ish. I have to use a lower level as it puts too much strain on my lower back and knees.

I'd be interested in peoples heights as I reckon the longer the levers (legs) the better the time. I am only 5ft6"!!

i am 5' 10 and best time a few weeks ago was 7:23

[EdJ]

Digger said:

EdJ said:

Okay... If that's the case, give me your best 2k time on level one and then on level ten? I suspect they will be very similar.

No! Do your own experiments (On what do you base your "understanding"). I aint risking my joints for your jollies! Ask the manufacturer (Concept) instead.


I'll have a go at level 10 and hope I survive. Can people post the Drag Factor figure as there can be a huge difference between a dirty machine and a well maintained one!?!

Edited by Digger on Thursday 18th June 00:17

Well I haven't actually tried that "experiment", but on the Concept website it says that if you enter your time in their rankings, it doesn't matter what resistence you select, just that you have to keep the resistence at the same level throughout the workout - ie you can't start at 10 and then half way through move it down to 3.

I also try and exercise on the same machine as they do feel quite different - maybe this is the drag factor you mention - although it's hard to gauge whether I'm just having a bad workout day.

[bazking69]

I can do 500m in under 2 minutes, but that is about the extent of my fitness in one burst!

[tonyvid]

Blimey, some fit blokes about! It's been a while as I hurt my back in 2002 and not done any since then but I used to do 5k in 19mins as my norm. I used to want to honk after though. I was 39 then, about 14st and 6'4".

[JJCW]

I'm gonna give this a go at the gym tonight - no idea how i'll do at all!! I'm pretty fit, but never use the rower at all!

[Elskeggso]

I haven't used the Concept2 for months, I'm pretty sure I used to do 2k in the low 8's on the highest resistance. I wouldn't recommend sitting on it straight after me though

Edited by Elskeggso on Thursday 18th June 14:30

[AlexB]

A few weeks ago my best time was 7:19 for 2k, then the gym started a contest for the fastest 1k time and I have managed 3:20.7 for that so far. I haven't done a 2k for a while now.
I'm about 5'8 and now weigh about 80kg (down from over 90kg at Christmas!)
Alex

[Digger]

JJCW said:

I'm gonna give this a go at the gym tonight - no idea how i'll do at all!! I'm pretty fit, but never use the rower at all!

Just dont do the classic mistake of going straight in at level 10. Start at say 5 and then change up/down according to how your lungs and joints are coping. Also check out the diagrams on the rower itself to check posture - key thing is to keep your back straight as you drive back.

Its quite amusing watching a guy who's obviously fresh to the rower going gungho on level 10 only to implode a few minutes later.

[tricky69]

Digger said:

JJCW said:

I'm gonna give this a go at the gym tonight - no idea how i'll do at all!! I'm pretty fit, but never use the rower at all!

Just dont do the classic mistake of going straight in at level 10. Start at say 5 and then change up/down according to how your lungs and joints are coping. Also check out the diagrams on the rower itself to check posture - key thing is to keep your back straight as you drive back.

Its quite amusing watching a guy who's obviously fresh to the rower going gungho on level 10 only to implode a few minutes later.

It is a real feker, doesn't sound too bad.. 2000 metres, only 8 minutes of rowing... but it real gets your heart going

And if you do a good time and you will need a few minutes to recover fully, you will real have to work to do it faster... is a great test of general fitness once you have the right technique

[JJCW]

Digger said:

JJCW said:

I'm gonna give this a go at the gym tonight - no idea how i'll do at all!! I'm pretty fit, but never use the rower at all!

Just dont do the classic mistake of going straight in at level 10. Start at say 5 and then change up/down according to how your lungs and joints are coping. Also check out the diagrams on the rower itself to check posture - key thing is to keep your back straight as you drive back.

Its quite amusing watching a guy who's obviously fresh to the rower going gungho on level 10 only to implode a few minutes later.

In Surrey later and need a good laugh?

Thanks for the tips, i'll report back tomorrow, hopefully still in one piece

[SoapyShowerBoy]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4j23MfUqIDQ Grudge Match - Graham Benton V Nik Fleming (The Beast V Big Bird).

for anyone that is interested in seeing how it is done, race starts at 4min20, it is interesting to see their styles.

[tricky69]

SoapyShowerBoy said:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4j23MfUqIDQ Grudge Match - Graham Benton V Nik Fleming (The Beast V Big Bird).

for anyone that is interested in seeing how it is done, race starts at 4min20, it is interesting to see their styles.

zzzzzzzzzzz didn't even give the times they did !