Calories burnt using rowing machines

Usually I do 20 mins roughly and the machine will say about 4500km or a bit more and between 290 and 310 calories this isn't flat out though usually about 34 rpm and aim to go about 2:15/500m

Any reason why 2:15/500m is the target?

Thanks but that wasn't the answer I was looking for!

My approach is not "pointless". I have devised my plan based on various measurements, diet and exercise, with a lot of calculations, so it is not unreasonable to ask about rate of calorie burning using a rowing machine.

Anyone else able to help?

Nah no reason really, just feels like a decent steady pace, its more of a minimum I try not to fall below to be honest. At first I tried to keep above 2:30 and that was easy and I have just been working up - some days I will use 2:10 as the baseline or 2:20 depending on how I'm feeling even though the difference is fairly minor in practice. Also I gun it for the last minute/30 seconds (again depending on how its going) for what its worth. This is on 6/10 resistance too I think if you put the resistance up your time/500 will go down

Putting the resistance up doesn't necessarily make your split time go down, and can cause harm if you lose technique. 6/10 is fine; I've never seen a rower go outside 6-4 when on an erg, unless it was for a brief exercise. I don't know what gym rowers do. My uncle uses 10/10, but he is a) physically fit, b) experienced in using rowing machines, and c) completely crazy.

To the OP, I'm pretty sure all modern C2s have calorie counters built in, if you really want to use it. C2s are the most commonly used ergos, in my experience. You didn't say if you have much experience on ergos, but if not make sure you are using them properly. I know too many people who have damaged their backs from bad technique.

I hope that helps, I but have to say I'm not a big fan of calorie counting. 500kcal from junk food=/=500kcal from a pasta salad. You need everything else in there as well. I would advise concentrating on having a balanced diet as much as on the calories, and do regular exercise (raising your heart rate is essential) for at least half an hour at a time. The time should be your aim, not the calories burnt, if you want the health benefits.

Heh, my rowing machine displays how many calories lost.

The issue is they are really not going to be accurate. They're not going to take into account how efficient you are at rowing, how much you weigh etc. It is possible to measure the no. of calories you burn but you would have to be in a special room that measures the amount of oxygen you breathe (or have a mask on to do the same.) In general, it isn't something that is worth getting too precise about.

Trying to lose weight with exercise is pointless. It is merely an aid in that it speeds your metabolism. The actual number of calories burned through exercise is minuscule. Half an hour on the treadmill = about 300 calories. What's that? One sandwich?

Forget about counting calories burned on your row machine. Just count calories eaten and do half an hour rowing a day.

Uh... no. It's actually not pointless at all. It works.

I just clearly explained the maths... You burn around 300 cals in a session of exercise which is like one snack. The exact same effect could be had by just eating 300 cals less.