Anybody have a rowing machine at home?
 

Years ago when I worked out at a gym, I used a rowing machine and really liked it. Seem to work a lot of the muscles and was not hard on the body.

Does anybody have one at home or have recommendations for a specific brand/model?

Concept 2 is pretty much industry standard. My wife works for a University with a rowing team, that's what they use off the water.

A bit expensive, but the good news is that they hold their value quite well. So if you end up not using it and it becomes basement art you can usually get most of your money out of it.

That is the one. Most efficient way I’ve found to get the heart rate up.

Another vote for Concept II. New ones cost about a grand, used ones hold their value, but it’s worth it IMHO.
Every piece of indoor exercise equipment I’ve ever had was boring as hell. I’ve tried TVs to watch and headphones hanging from the ceiling (to keep the cord out of the way). I found headphones and music better for getting out of your head for long aerobic workouts.
Don’t get one if you have back trouble. It will only make it worse.

Another vote for Concept 2, I have one, find it the best for an all round work out but would much prefer a swim

I hade the water rower, It is great to use, and lovely to look at. The Concept is a better unit, but unless you are training I think the difference will be negligible.

when we lived aboard at anchor
we found rowing a very good exercise
esp the sliding seat using the legs
but we actually needed to move from a to b thru the water

I rowed and then coached crew for 5 years. As noted, Concept II is the erg to get. But, like anything athletic, you need good coaching on how to first use the machine correctly and then get the most out of it. It would be money well spent to have a crew coach or someone who knows how to row teach you how to use an erg properly.

If you are looking for a workout, get the model B. For whatever reason, it provides a better workout than the newer models. I suspect the newer ones had design creep to make them easier for general consumer whereas the model B was made only for rowers in mind. good luck!

And be careful what you wish for. Ergs can be brutal when used properly. :)

Never leave the handle on the catch when not in use like in the pic below

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1626547426.jpg

I have a concept 2, use the hell out of it in the winter, not as much in the summer when I can be outside. Great machine and community.

Thanks, guys. Great information to look into.

We have a Hydrow. My wife likes the instructed videos; I like the free rows in scenic areas.

Ive have a Concepts II rower at home for the last 25 yrs. It's a great workout in 20 minutes ( 4,000 meters ). Back when I was running & racing, I always felt the time i put into the rower paid off when kicking into the finish line.

Steve

I had a rowing macnine years ago, which was the easiest exercise machine for me to use on a regular basis. I think I wore it out. I'd row on it while watching the news. I'm wondering if getting one at my age would be a good way to exercise.

C2 in my basement, Maas 24 open water shell on the river. As collegiate rowers say “ real athletes row, the rest just play games”. Get a heart rate monitor if you’re over 40 and talk to your doc about healthy HR limits for you.

I don’t know how old you are, but I sold mine when it began making my lower back pain worse at age about 69. I have a stationary bike now. I can’t work out as intensely, but it’s easy on the back.

I have a concept II at home, worth the money I would say.

Thanks Patrick. I thought proper form kept you from developing back pain/problems. I'm newly 79 and trying to think of some form of exercise I can use for a decent, whole body workout. A rowing machine would be fairly ideal, since you could use it for whatever amount of time, level of exercise, and would be good for year round.

I was thinking the same thing, easy on the body and both upper/lower exercise. At 62, I’m 6’-4” but need to lose weight. I’m looking at a combination of proper nutrition and exercise.

I was in my late forties to mid fifties when I had my last rowing machine (I've had two - not as good quality as the Concept 2 though. The first one I broke the pivots for the rowing arms - fatigue I think), so I didn't think about back problems. It was great for exercise, sweating, & breathing hard. I'd get home after work, feed the cat, put the machine down in front of the TV and row for half an hour to forty five minutes while whatching the news. I really liked that form of exercise, but wonder if the back might not agree with it now.