Beginners

The forum for general banter about the team.

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Tako
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I row on...: Model D with PM5
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Re: Beginners

Post by Tako »

Hi

I am a happy and regular user of RowPro.
The graphics are old but work fine for me as one gets used to graphics anyway. The important stuff are the other rowers, their times and position. Works nicely. With the oarbits app the scheduling and participation in rows is easy and fast. One of the main advantages of RowPro for me are the pace boats and the fact that the rows do not time out when you pause.

Like stated above I also jump on rows scheduled when it fits my schedule.

Looking forward to see you on the river and welcome to FreeSpirits!
\:D/ 🏴‍☠️🇳🇱🇩🇪🇩🇰🇳🇴🇪🇺
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Wolfmiester
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Re: Beginners

Post by Wolfmiester »

I've been on RP a bit lately. Usually for the 12 noon (UK) 30 min session, which is the early morning wake up for the US.
Wolfie

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JonT
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Re: Beginners

Post by JonT »

maxscience wrote: Mon Jan 14, 2019 3:14 pm Hi,

new user here as I just got a new Model D with PM5. I already downloaded all of the available iPhone apps as I already use Zwift since a month with an Elite trainer on a bike. I use that with my Apple Watch as HRM but will get a Wahoo Tickr as a HRM for the rower, mainly to display HR in RowPro. I am basically new to rowing so thought of using RowPro training plans, even though it looks very outdated as a software. Best would be to have full rowing support in Zwift with actual rowing avatars on lakes and rivers.
Any RowPro or Zwift PM5 users here?
Welcome to the group, and welcome to a very different world to the one of virtual cycling. I am also a Zwift user, and realise that you are probably having a bit of a culture shock. The erg rowing world is a slightly more solitary place when it comes to training, but this is a good group to be using to give updates or what you are doing and to get advice from some very experienced and helpful rowers (that doesn't include me!).

There really isn't an equivalent to Zwift in indoor rowing. Rowpro is the closest you will get but it doesn't really come close in terms of mass events, club events, course variation, training plans etc. What you will get from RowPro (comined with OarBits) is some organised events.

If you are interested in a training pl;an, you really don't need software to help you. Check out the training section on these forums and also have a look at the Pete Plan as a good starter.

Hope that all helps. Welcome to the team. :fssmile:

Jon
58 years old, 5"10', clinging on to 75kg and frustratingly but understandably inconsistent
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Belinda
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Location: France

Re: Beginners

Post by Belinda »

Hi, I'm a newbie and I wondered if we need insurance for competitions in the UK (e.g. do you have to register with British Rowing if you want to enter English Indoor Rowing Comp?) I'm sorry if this sounds dumb but I have been living in France for the past 25 years and I'm a bit out of touch with the way things work in the UK. Many thanks! :fsbgrin:
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plummy
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Re: Beginners

Post by plummy »

Welcome Belinda. I've never heard of insurance being needed but I'm from the UK so it's never crossed my mind. That said, I've never seen it mentioned either. I think your EHIC card should cover everything.

Good question though - maybe others can chip in with differing experiences?
61 yrs old, 81kg, 5' 10"
43Mm metres rowed. Re-setting the bar much lower now. Getting too old and brittle for this malarky
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obirobsan
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Re: Beginners

Post by obirobsan »

I figured I'd switch over to this thread and not hijack the "About Me" thread for my own personal gain :). One of the responses to my intro noted that at 6'8, I should be able to row a 22 spm easily, and that there might be some opportunity for form improvement there. Yes, there is!!! A couple times a week, I've been spending the first 15 minutes of my 30 on trying to sort out form. Here's what I've discovered... my "natural" leg pace seems to be 25 spm. By this, I mean that it doesn't feel "too slow" or "too fast", it's Goldilocks "just right". By fiddling with the abs and arms portion of that, I can do an easy 2:30 split at 25spm, or can do a sub-2:00 split at 25spm.

When I try to go slower on the spm, if I remain fluid -- then my split times start going way up, like 3:30+ splits when I'm in the 20-22spm range. It's hard for me to get the consistent pull against resistance to control the split like at 25spm. One thing that does work is I can do a weird funky flow that's not fluid -- ie: sit on the catch for a second or two in "rest", then pull hard and fast through the stroke. This is basically my 30-32spm method with breaks. It definitely allows for much lower splits - in the sub 2:00 while at that stroke rate, but it's grueling hard, and it doesn't seem efficient to stop/restart the motion on every stroke.

Maybe the challenges around the fluid one are that I'm pushing too hard at the start of the stroke with the legs (starting the stroke like it's going to be at 25spm), and then have to ease off / slow down, which causes the loss of sustained pull -- there's a little micro-coast in the stroke then.
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Wolfmiester
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Re: Beginners

Post by Wolfmiester »

So hows it going 6 weeks on Rob?
Wolfie

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obirobsan
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Re: Beginners

Post by obirobsan »

Sadly, I picked up COVID a few weeks ago, and ended up doing two weeks in isolation. Fun times. I'm just getting back to the gym after quite a long "intermission". :(
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J-Dog
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Smartphone cradle

Post by J-Dog »

Just a quick note about my current set-up, in case beginners want to copy it.

I got a second-hand Model C from eBay. It's very good.

I eventually upgraded the PM3 to a PM5 through Concept2, because then you can use wireless connections from a smartphone. I'd really recommend doing this.

I just bought the Concept2 smartphone cradle for 1.00 GBP + 2.60 shipping, instead of 15 or 16 GBP for flashy silicone ones on Amazon. The standard one works really well.

I have an Apple watch (model 4?), and I downloaded the latest (free) ErgData app from Concept2. This goes on your iPhone and downloads to your watch automatically.

Now, when I row, I set up the workout on the iPhone, wirelessly connect it to the PM5, put the phone in the cradle thing, and then do the workout.

My HR is visible on the screen of the iPhone, and on my watch.

When I've finished, my workout is automatically uploaded to Concept2 log book (so the Free Spirits website can see it), AND Apple Fitness, complete with HR data, that came from my watch.

It's all very simple, now. I used to have a HR monitor receiver taped under the seating bar, and all sorts. Now it just all works.

Hope this helps someone.

J-Dog
60 yrs 91 kg 5' 10" BMI 28.7
Lifetime metres: 1,000,768
milt
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Re: Beginners

Post by milt »

Was recently thinking I should post something about ErgData. After much fuss, when 2.0 was released, it simply works now. Any bugs seem to have been resolved. So as J-Dog said, it just works.
obirobsan
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Posts: 228
Joined: Wed May 04, 2022 9:28 pm
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Location: San Francisco, California

Re: Beginners

Post by obirobsan »

I've had really good experiences with ErgData and Apple Watch - don't feel much need for anything else!
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