So by now, pretty much all of you are familiar with my disdain for machines.. Some of you have even been scolded by me when spotted on a machine. The problem with them is that they don't work. If machines like treadmills and elipticals actually helped people acheive more than just a heavy sweat, we wouldn't have or need BHIP or any other such nonsense. Our lives would just be filled with machines. Why bother doing things that don't work, if machines did work?
The reality is that machines simply make things that reward strain less strenuous. Like running and cycling. As we make things easier, we reduce necessary stressors and replace them with comforts that inevitably lead to less-than successful exercise program. In short, machines suck because they make life easy. Done.
Enter the rowing ergometer, aka The Rower, aka, the rowing erg, aka the rowing machine. They are often hidden in the back of a cardio room, to be neglected and ignored. Why? Because they DO NOT make life easy. In fact, they do just the opposite. They provide a very good way of developing sustained, powerful hip extension (power-stamina: crucial for fitness)and can be used by nearly anyone (back problems excluded). The most common ones are the "Concept-2" ones. We actually have a handfull of them in the cardio room in the Wooden Center. Perhaps, if more of us took advantage of them, we might be able to buy a few more (demand drives supply, econ 101).
Please check out this link from the CONCEPT2 manufacturer. There are a bunch of nice links to tutorials and stuff.
also, please view this link to their "Workout of the Day" page. It's pretty cool. You can do different workouts.
So if you desire a little extra "cardio" or you missed a session or whatever, feel free to hop on one and substitute. And if you didn't get a chance to check out their workouts, you can actually program the thing to do a tabata on. 20:10 x 8 rnds. Ask the consultants to help you out if you want.
over and out, enjoy
i LOVE the rowing machines. tell them i said hey.
ReplyDeleteThe only thing that sucks about the the rowers in the JWC is the fact that there are no mats beneath them. As such, the rowers tend to move forward and/or back when you row. And on many of the machines, the left strap has a tendency to just snap off. Now the last one is a tiny excuse, seeing as how you are able to row quite efficiently with one (or no) straps, however, the main problem arises when the rower tends to move back and forward. It causes a substantial loss of power, and it sucks.
ReplyDeleteBut I still use them because I love them. Maybe we can persuade Mr. Pollack to procure us some handy mats to go beneath them.
Glad to hear you say this because I have always liked erging. There is something hypnotic about it... It would be great to have more. Since doing BHIP my time and endurance is waaaaay better. Donna
ReplyDeleteDitto all the comments above. We have a water rower at home which feels like the real thing without the getting wet part. We love it! For the record, I've tried twice now to get on a rowing machine at JWAC and they have all been occupied. So how do you gauge the demand? I didn't wait around for one to open up.
ReplyDeleteAwesome, we used to use those old ones under the stairs at the Wooden Center. Thanks for the post
ReplyDeleteFascinating. Machines will never rule! POWER TO THE PEOPLE...and to the rowing machines. Jolie
ReplyDeleteI've been doing the Tabata rowing at JWC and it is awesome. Four minutes and you are breathing hard and sweating profusely, while everyone surrounding you, on those other machines, look as if they are on a casual walk or jog.
ReplyDeleteI just tried one the other night. It's quite a workout.
ReplyDeleteBridget
By Machines I was refering to are the likes of treadmills and cycling and elliptical machine. The resistance training machines actually have a good purpose. They help those in physical therapy regain strength after injuries and they help build isolated muscles in isolated movement. That's good for body-builders. We want to develop movements, so we don't really need to use those things much. A single kettlebell can do more than an entire gym full of machines in my opinion.
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