Re: Concept 2 rowers are great!
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jbell</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sence winter has set in here I have been using one at the gym on days that it is snowing and blowing too bad to be productive outside. I do like it, you can bring it up to red line pretty quick and hold it there as long as you want. I only wish the seat fit my arse better and the foot position was wider (there is nothing I do with my feet that close). What is concidered a good "pace" whial rowing? I have no idea what I am doing on it. I just try and maintain constant resistance for both my legs and upper body whial never letting the chain go slack and keep pushing hadrer. </div></div>
Here's a quick tutorial that may help you:
http://www.britishrowing.org/taking-part/rowing-basics/rowing-stroke
The foot position mimics that on a "real" rowing competition boat, so that's what we get. As for pace, your age, height, weight, and experience all play a part in what pace a beginner should expect to keep. Somewhere between 2:00 and 2:30 per 500m is a reasonable pace to use, depending upon the distance you row, your general fitness level, and the factors I mentioned above.
The rowing stroke uses leg power the most, followed by lower back, then arms. If you've ever done barbell deadlifts or cleans, the complete body tension between your hands on the handle and your feet pressing you away is the same for rowing. As you begin the stroke (from the coiled-up "catch" position), you should feel your butt almost be unweighted on the seat as you create the connection between your feet and hands. The rowing tutorial above, and several good youtube videos, will show you how to combine the elements of the stroke into a smooth powerful movement.
Concept2 also sells a pad for the seat that can certainly help with soreness issues. Look at
www.concept2.com and go to the accessories section of the store. It's only a few bucks, but I sure like mine.
Hope this helps,
Lee
