Any runners/rowers out there?

[andyfuller]

I was wondering if any runners had some advice on cross training for long distance runs?

I am building up to my first marathon (Brussels) and am currently up to 11 mile training runs. I have a couple of half marathons lined up before the marathon (Nottingham and London - Run To The Beat) but although I enjoy running the constant pounding on the roads isn't going to do my joints etc much good long term and also I have an iffy toenail after losing it a few years back on a half marathon.

I already do off road mountain biking but I was thinking about purchasing an indoor rowing machine to add a third element to my training and also to add a bit more to my upper body workout that I currently do.

The advantages I perceive of using an indoor rower is that it is a relatively quick workout compared to biking and running, it gives a good full body workout and is very low impact (assuming you get the technique right and don't knacker your back).

I have been doing my research and it seems the best rower are the Concept 2 rowers:

http://concept2.co.uk/

At around £1,000 they are a bit pricey but I would sooner pay extra for something of quality and I am struggling to see a bad review of them anywhere. I like the fact you can race against other rowers online and can row against pace boats etc via your tv/pc.

So do any other runners use rowing as part of their training? Or do any rowers have any views/advice or perhaps own a Concept 2 rower?

I read they are good for recovering from running injuries so wondered if Peter used them?

I would be grateful of any info and if anyone else is doing any runs in the next year pop up a post and if we are doing the same runs it would be good to have a chat about trading as we run around for part of the way.

[walshy]

If you decide on a rower then the concept 2 is the one to go for. I've owned one in the past and they are excellent, they also hold their value really well.

If you dont want to buy though, I think concept 2 also used to rent them.

All in all it provides a really good aerobic workout that I would imagine would only help in your training.

[andyfuller]

Cheers for the reply.

Concept 2 still do rent them and you can do hire to buy as well so I might do that to make sure I like it before buying one, they are based just down the road from me so might pop to their warehouse.

I have had a look around and they definitely hold their value brilliantly.

Can I ask why you think they are excellent compared to other rowers?

Cheers.

[walshy]

Compared to the others I have tried the concept 2 had a much better feel, you can really put some effort in to them without ever feeling as though your going to do it any damage, although I should add that the others I have tried were considerably cheaper.

Also I think that the concept 2 is the rower of choice in most if not all gyms.

[Topseed]

You should buy a second hand rower on ebayer for about £750. You will find alot of people who buy a rower and then don't use it. I bought my rower on ebay and it had only been used for 50,000 metres. I started rowing and could only manage 5 minutes and have now rowed a marathon in 2 hrs 55 mins.

[andyfuller]

Cheers for the reply Topseed - I would sooner pay a couple of hundred more and get a brand new one tbh.

Do you use a Concept 2 rower, if so whats your views on it and if not what do you use and your views please.

Whats your view on it as a workout in particular with regards to helping running?

Many thanks.

[lilgreenback]

Hi,

If you were going to buy one then the Concept 2 is the one to get, the only consideration might be noise if your house is detached no worries but I'd put it on the ground floor anyway.

There is a national gym championship held each year for them and Steve Redgrave used to put his name to it at one time. There is a newer version of it now with a moulded abs plastic handle rather than wood.

The mechanics and action are very similar to the real thing apart from sinking a guy I know uses his for x training together with a turbo trainer on his mountain bike he's a triathlete. He prefers the rower to a cross trainer as it gives a better work out.

The other issue is that if it needs reparing every town has a gym and they tend use them; so spares or technicians would be easy to come by. I have never known one break though apart from the footstraps work lose

Get yourself a Polar heart rate monitor as well; one with the kit for bike and you can download the training info onto the computer. They are excellent to prevent overtraining and injury.

Cheers

LilGB

[andyfuller]

Thanks for the info - noise won't be a problem as it will be out in a barn, at least til I buy a house. I had read that the noise wasn't too bad and you could watch TV without having the volume silly loud.

I saw about the championship and that they hold regular online races and run leagues etc etc. That is something I am keen on as it will motivate me more to use it.

Good to hear your mate uses one for cross training, I am keen to add something extra to my exercise mix on top of the running and mountain biking, so good to hear he as a triathlon uses one.

I have a heart rate monitor from my running watch - a Garmin Forerunner 305. Brilliant bit of kit and used with freeware Sportstrack software it is great for tracking everything.

Thanks for the reply again.

[Topseed]

I cannot help you on the benefits of using a rower to train for a running marathon as I have had shin splints from playing cricket and just row.

It's was interesting when I was training for my rowing marathon that if you take your 2000m time you will be able to calculate how quickly you can row a marathon.

I use my rower every day and at the moment I'm just rowing 10000m a day. The concept rower's are awesome and go on for ever. The only issue I have is poorly maintained rowers when I use fitness first or rowers in hotels. I oil my rower on a weekly basis and you can tell the difference between a well maintained rower and a poor one in a couple of strokes.

I also connect my rower to RowPro via my laptop and its great fun rowing against other people around the world and helps to keep the motivation going.

[andyfuller]

I also connect my rower to RowPro via my laptop and its great fun rowing against other people around the world and helps to keep the motivation going.

If I end up buying one we will have to have a race at some point

[sweetybt]

Hi Andy,

Yes concept 2 is the machine to use and the only one all rowing clubs have. I think you are in the Notts area, I used to row on the Trent from the back of the city ground, and have spent many an hour on a C2 while being shouted at, I also ran the Notts half marathon a few years back.

Rowing is a great indoor low impact option when the weather is bad or the old joints start to complain.

I might do the Brussels half in October as well as I live down the road in Luxembourg.

sorry I don't post more often here as I barely get the time to read half the posts let alone reply.

I am going on parental leave in July so hopefully will have more time, although I very much doubt it.

cheers

sweets

[mikesalter]

I agree that the C2 is the best having used one at the gym but was put off by the cost for home use. I bought a tunturi air rower for considerably less. Not saying it is as good but it works just fine. The data isnt as good either. I struggle with non air rowers because I tend to be worried about breaking them because can rip into it if in a bit of a mood (I can row 347 metres in a 1 min burn on a C2) and am more than happy with mine.

[andyfuller]

I think you are in the Notts area, I used to row on the Trent from the back of the city ground, and have spent many an hour on a C2 while being shouted at, I also ran the Notts half marathon a few years back.

Hi mate, you are right, I do live near Nottingham but I prefer the otherside of the Trent to the City side

Rowing is a great indoor low impact option when the weather is bad or the old joints start to complain.

I have decided to go ahead and buy one and wish I had it today as it is chucking it down outside, so as a fair weather runner/biker I won't be able to venture out today

I might do the Brussels half in October as well as I live down the road in Luxembourg.

If you end up doing it let me know. I haven't entered yet but plan to soon once I figure out whether to fly or get the Eurotunnel.

[andyfuller]

I agree that the C2 is the best having used one at the gym but was put off by the cost for home use. I bought a tunturi air rower for considerably less. Not saying it is as good but it works just fine. The data isnt as good either.

Cheers for the input, I only just heard of the Tunturi make last night when over at my sister house who is married to a Fin. I was telling him about my plan to buy a rower and he said about the Finnish company Tunturi - so I am going to look into their rowers today.

[andyfuller]

Cheers for all the input - I got my new Concept 2 rower this morning and set it up. It is bigger than I was expecting but thats no issue. It seems very sturdy and I am sure will last me a lifetime.

Going to spend sometime trying to get my technique right before I do any serious workouts on it, but in the future I am up for giving some fellow traders a race online

Once again thanks for all the input