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Rowing: what have I let myself in for?

16

This should probably be in the sport subforum, but I am looking at it from a workout/fitness point of view, so it's kind of on topic here...!

I'm in my 2nd year at uni and my friend has convinced me to sign up for rowing this year. I've paid for membership, so feel I can't really back out now, but I'm slightly scared! What should I expect? I'm fairly fit, but I've never even used a rowing machine before! :redface:

Was going to do cross country running instead (idiot proof - much more my thing!) but she persuaded me to do rowing instead.

Can anyone tell me about it? I've never done anything even remotely similar before.

Reply 1

JimmyJ

Stick with the cow tipping. That sounds far more exciting.

Reply 2

G4ry

1

Ok....rowing. Boat, water, oar. Drag oar through water to create propulsion. Repeat to keep momentum going.

Anything else you wanted to know?

Reply 3

Apricot Fairy

OP

16

G4ry

Ok....rowing. Boat, water, oar. Drag oar through water to create propulsion. Repeat to keep momentum going.

Anything else you wanted to know?

Well yes, clearly...

I said I was looking at it from a workout/fitness point of view. The mechanics of it aren't really that hard to grasp. :p:

If anybody could give a sensible response that would be much appreciated.

Reply 4

G4ry

1

You wanted to know about rowing, so i gave an answer. I've used rowing machines but not on water. But they try and get the machines as close to water as possible. It's a fairly good all-round workout. You'll use, legs, core, back, arms and shoulders. You may find it hard to keep up as some of those rowers are really fit. But it's not all about fitness as there's also technique and working in synchronisation with the other people in the boat.

Was there anything specifically you wanted to know?

Reply 5

Apricot Fairy

OP

16

G4ry

You wanted to know about rowing, so i gave an answer. I've used rowing machines but not on water. But they try and get the machines as close to water as possible. It's a fairly good all-round workout. You'll use, legs, core, back, arms and shoulders. You may find it hard to keep up as some of those rowers are really fit. But it's not all about fitness as there's also technique and working in synchronisation with the other people in the boat.

Was there anything specifically you wanted to know?

I guess mainly people's thoughts and experiences of being an absolute beginner, and what it's actually like, because the whole concept of it seems a bit alien to me, but then I can't imagine going on a rowing machine really gives you an accurate idea of what it's like...

Reply 6

G4ry

1

Apricot Fairy

but then I can't imagine going on a rowing machine really gives you an accurate idea of what it's like...

Try both and come back to me and tell me. A lot of professional rowers train on rowing machines on level 6 (which is supposed to be the closest thing to rowing on water) so there must be something of value to them in using the machines. Obviously you won't experience the rocking and movement from the water but the rowing movement is probably the same.

Reply 7

Apricot Fairy

OP

16

G4ry

Try both and come back to me and tell me. A lot of professional rowers train on rowing machines on level 6 (which is supposed to be the closest thing to rowing on water) so there must be something of value to them in using the machines. Obviously you won't experience the rocking and movement from the water but the rowing movement is probably the same.

True, but if I thought it was going to be like going to the gym, I wouldn't be worried about this!

Reply 8

G4ry

1

Don't be so worried. You're only a beginner and as long as you don't try stand up in the boat you should be ok. If you're that nervous go down to the gym and ask someone to show you how to use the rowing machine so you can get an idea of how to row and try and get co-ordinated,

Reply 9

Renal

17

Rowing involves too much lycra to be taken seriously.

Reply 10

kikzen

14

i think helenia (or something similar) is a rower. pm praps maybe?

Reply 11

love2learn

4

Rowing on a river is great fun. Left to my own devices I go round in happy little circles, so being part of a team is a much better way to move :wink:

. Rowing machines at the gym are really good because you're using your whole body, and there's resistance which also goes through your whole body. I used the rowing machine at the gym on a medium setting for 20 mins 3 times a week and I found that my arms toned up really quickly. It's great for the muscles which run along the outside of your arm, from shoulder to elbow (I'm uselss with muscle names). The only thing with a machine is that you don't have to coordinate your arms to do the same movement at the same time - you only really practice that on a boat. Hence when I row on my own, I go pretty fast, but in large circles. Bendy rivers are nightmares for me! :smile:

Have fun and enjoy it - sports at uni is tremendous fun

Reply 12

Juno

20

kikzen

i think helenia (or something similar) is a rower. pm praps maybe?

Yeah, ask helly!

Reply 13

Helenia

20

Yes, I do row, but I'm busy so will answer properly later.

Reply 14

hixey101

lots and lots of running

Reply 15

username47781

20

Well it's very physically demanding but you'll be as fit as anything after a year of it.

Reply 16

Revd. Mike

17

I used to row a lot in cadets, and I loved it :biggrin:

Was great exercise, shame i had to stop after injuring my shoulder in an unrelated accident :frown:

I might try taking it up again once I get my shoulder fixed hehe.

My advice: go for it!

Reply 17

Happy_Holidays

15

I've just started rowing with college. The first time I did it I was really scared but it was great. Normally they will start you off in a beginners boat which is really difficult to tip so unless you do something really stupid you should go in. From a fitness point of view it seems pretty good. I've found that it makes you fitter without you realiseing which is great :biggrin:

Rowing: what have I let myself in for?

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