Rowing Machines?

[Too Tall]

Caleb, if the goal is rowing on the water you'll want to start with correct form.
There are good videos on youtube. This is ok >>

[kdawg]

Caleb, if the goal is rowing on the water you'll want to start with correct form.
There are good videos on youtube. This is ok >>

I used to row a bit in the gym and there was a girl who seemed to like going when I went - she was always there. She basically did the opposite of that - arms in, knees bent to arms out, legs straightish -she would thrash away on the thing for 45 minutes moving about 3" every stroke. Drove me crazy!

[Mabouya]

I used to row a bit in the gym and there was a girl who seemed to like going when I went - she was always there. She basically did the opposite of that - arms in, knees bent to arms out, legs straightish -she would thrash away on the thing for 45 minutes moving about 3" every stroke. Drove me crazy!

My pet peeve is when I look at the PM memory and find that the previous user averaged a 3:30 min / 500m pace for about 10 minutes, at a stroke rate of 32 spm, all with the damper lever set at "10." I'm not terribly fast compared to serious rowers, so I shouldn't be one to talk, but I know what the indications of horrible technique are, and a 3:30 pace @ 32 spm is the most obvious of all red flags. (to say nothing of the damper setting)

[RichTheRoadie]

This conversation has piqued my interest - I was about to reconsider attempting yet another go at getting into indoor cycling, despite knowing that I hate it, because the rain in Sydney Just. Won't. Let. Up.

At least I know I don't mind rowers so much (I used to use them a lot in the gym) and it's a bit more of an all-round workout; plus my wife would probably use it too - in fact she said it was a good idea and we should look into what's available secondhand.

There's a WaterRower going for quite a good price locally (AU$750, possibly with a bit of haggle room, Vs AU$2400 new). The cheapest C2 locally is AU$850, but most seem to be AU$1300+.

A WaterRower might be able to fit somewhere inside the house so the aesthetics appeal, whereas a C2 would definitely be confined to the garage. Is there any reason not to get a WR (as long as it's in good condition)?

[Mabouya]

Is there any reason not to get a WR (as long as it's in good condition)?

IMO the single biggest technical & performance difference is that the C2 ergs have a more sophisticated way of calculating the work done and your pace. (it's based on the drag, measured during the spin-down of the flywheel). The C2 air-drag also gives you a smoother increase at high power levels, whereas folks say that with the WR you "hit a wall" and just can't do any more. (If you Google "concept 2 rower vs water rower" there are quite a few comparisons online, some of which discuss this.) In general the C2 PM is a better, more capable unit than the WR.

Bottom line, based on what I've read, for casual users who don't prioritize "serious athlete" factors, and are more interested in aesthetics and noise level, the WR is fine, but if you want to push yourself and demand more from the machine, the C2 is almost certainly the way to go.

Caveat: I've never used a WaterRower

[rec head]

I don't remember when we got our C2 rower but it was well before the pandemic. Even back then used ones didn't go for much less than new and they were gone in a day. I could never get to one fast enough. If you see one used just get it. Don't like it? Sell it.

As stated above watch some videos and absolutely do not get tips from people in the gym unless they have form like the people in the videos.

[Too Tall]

IMO the single biggest technical & performance difference is that the C2 ergs have a more sophisticated way of calculating the work done and your pace. (it's based on the drag, measured during the spin-down of the flywheel). The C2 air-drag also gives you a smoother increase at high power levels, whereas folks say that with the WR you "hit a wall" and just can't do any more. (If you Google "concept 2 rower vs water rower" there are quite a few comparisons online, some of which discuss this.) In general the C2 PM is a better, more capable unit than the WR.

Bottom line, based on what I've read, for casual users who don't prioritize "serious athlete" factors, and are more interested in aesthetics and noise level, the WR is fine, but if you want to push yourself and demand more from the machine, the C2 is almost certainly the way to go.

Caveat: I've never used a WaterRower

Right about that. When I was getting ready for CrashB I discovered that the C2 had my watts/kg for a 2K row calculated exactly same as my 20min. on the bike numbers. Freaky to say the least.

[stefthehat]

The modern C2’s very easily seperate into two parts the beam being one of them also if you have ceiling height they can be stored upright ,a lot of places with limited space will do the latter as a matter of course to free up gym areas and there are small wheels built into the fan end for moving the erg around ,I’ll defend [up to a point ]the WaterRower ,it well made and has some aesthetic appeal and work well but def agree with others about its limitations,the appeal of the C2 is you can sit on one anywhere and have the same experience as the one at home and can compare scores with others knowing you’re all on same equipment