/\ June \/ Rowing Challenge /\

It's time to give the rowers of the site a challenge.  Pick your distance then start rowing.  The challenge will begin on June 1st and end on June 30th, but you're welcome to join at any time.  Here are some sample distances you could try...

15 km = 1 kilometer (km) every other day

30 km = 1 km per day

90 km = 3 km per day

150 km = 5 km per day

Been at it for a while?  Want more punishment?  Make up any distance over 150 km. 

If you have a rower at home collecting dust, then this is a chance to use it for more than a clothes hanger.  If you're an outdoor rower, welcome.  Feel free to join the challenge.

Post your desired challenge distance, and then post all distances rowed any time after June 1st.  While you're at it, post how your sessions went.  We can all encourage each other to meet our goals.

Just to start things off; I'll go for the 90 km challenge. Good luck, and let's see how far we can collectively row!

New to Rowing?

Most rowing machines (known as ergometers, or ergs) will have a display on which you will see various numbers, including the total time and distance, usually in meters or kilometers.

If you've always walked by those rowers at the gym, then this is a chance to give them a try.  There are many forms of exercise in the world, but few as complete as rowing.

If it's your first time, go slow!  It takes time to build the necessary muscles for any new exercise.  That's especially true for rowing.  Try a few minutes at first, and then add a few minutes every few days.  Before you know it, you'll be rowing for many kilometers at a time.

Technique is important!  I have some information on my profile, as well as some animation that shows proper technique.  First timers, there's no need to rush or to push yourself too much.  This can be a lifelong pursuit if you build up slowly.

Splits

A split is one way to measure how fast you're rowing.  Actually, everything to do with rowing is measured in split times.  It measures the time it takes to row 500 meters.  So, for example, a 2:30 split means that it took 2 and a half minutes to row 500 meters.

Rowers (ergs) can usually display your instantaneous splits as you row.  This way you can see instantly if you're slowing down or speeding up.  You can also calculate your average split at the end of your session.  For example, if you rowed 2000 meters in 11 minutes then your average split would be about 2:45.  At 2:30 splits you will go 1000 meters (1km) every 5 minutes.  In 30 minutes that will be 6 km.

Usually indoor rowing competitions will be set over 2000 meters.  The world record for indoor 2000 meters is currently 5 minutes 36 seconds set in 2007 by Rob Waddell, a New Zealand Olympian.

That's an average split of 1:24, and that, as they say, is too fast for me.

Ready?  Let the rowing begin!

15 km Challenge

miss_bea - 16 km  goal reached 6/15.  Moved to 30 km challenge

30 km Challenge

bernst31 - 12 km

apophenia - 30.278 km

miss_bea - 21.5 km 

90 km challenge

the_oarsman - 92 km

lindsayadelia - 56.101 km

cybersam - 52.052 km

150 km challenge

soph_slump

Are we counting on the water rowing?  I row with a club in the summer and can probably hit the 150,000m mark!

Original Post by soph_slump:

Are we counting on the water rowing?  I row with a club in the summer and can probably hit the 150,000m mark!

Indoor or outdoor is fine.  I'll be on an indoor rower, but you're welcome to log your outdoor rowing.  In fact, I just realized that the title of the challenge was for indoor rowing.  I changed the title to be more general.

I'll put you down for 150 km.  That's actually good, maybe this will push me to hit 150 as well

i'm somewhat new to rowing so im gonna do the 30km  

maybe if i hit a real grove ill end up doing the 90!

Original Post by bernst31:

i'm somewhat new to rowing so im gonna do the 30km  

maybe if i hit a real grove ill end up doing the 90!

Excellent and welcome.  30 km it is.  Go at your own pace and let us know how your sessions go.

just out of curiosity, what muscles does rowing work?

Original Post by xxana:

just out of curiosity, what muscles does rowing work?

Hi xxana.  Actually, rowing works the entire body.  Have a look at my profile and you'll see some animation near the middle which shows it rather nicely.  There's also some extra information if you're interested.

I tried the rower at the gym for the first time today, and much to my surprise, I loved it!  I can't get to the gym every single day, though.  Maybe I can try the 30k and squeeze in 2 or 3k per workout?

Original Post by apophenia:

I tried the rower at the gym for the first time today, and much to my surprise, I loved it!  I can't get to the gym every single day, though.  Maybe I can try the 30k and squeeze in 2 or 3k per workout?

Welcome apophenia.  Take it slow at first.  A few minutes every other day for a week or so will let your body adjust to the new routine.  You may be better off at 15 km for the first month.  That's 1 km every other day.  I don't want to discourage anyone, to say the least, but I also know that a new exercise, like rowing in particular, can be the cause of problems.  Slow and easy wins the day.

What do you think?

i tried the rowing machine today at the gym for the first time too and loved it!!! i rowed for 15 min, idk how many km that is, anyone know?

Original Post by xxana:

i tried the rowing machine today at the gym for the first time too and loved it!!! i rowed for 15 min, idk how many km that is, anyone know?

Good for you xxana.  I'm glad you gave it a try and liked it.

Did the rower you use have a display on it?  Did you get any other information other than time?  The distance you may have rowed could have varied from 1 km to 3 km (or more) depending on how hard you were working.  You really need more information to tell you how far you rowed.

yeah the only other thing i can remember was that i was rowing at a caloric burn rate that ranged from 450 to 500 calories per hour (i burned 120 calories), does that help anymore? probably not.. darnit i wish i paid attention

Original Post by xxana:

yeah the only other thing i can remember was that i was rowing at a caloric burn rate that ranged from 450 to 500 calories per hour (i burned 120 calories), does that help anymore? probably not.. darnit i wish i paid attention

If you burned about 450 calories then I'm going to guess (a very wild guess) that you went about 2 km.  In any case, no worries about today's row.  If you enjoyed it and want to continue, then try it again at the gym next time.

Just be sure to take it easy on yourself and work your way up to longer times and distances slowly.  Also, let us know if you want to join the challenge or not, and if so, then for which distance.

You have time, the challenge doesn't start for another few days.

This morning I rowed 4238m according to the machine.  I logged 30 minutes at the middle resistance level (5 out of 10).  I'm in fair shape from running and some weights here and there, but felt really good challenging more of my upper body!

*Waves hello to the oars_man and fellow rowers*

I would like to throw my name in the hat for the rowing challenge! Since I'm new to rowing and don't want any injuries, (this month I will only be focusing on my form and technique) I'll opt for 15k if that's alright with you and the other challengers. 

6/1 - 1000 meters - 10 minutes

Original Post by apophenia:

This morning I rowed 4238m according to the machine.  I logged 30 minutes at the middle resistance level (5 out of 10).  I'm in fair shape from running and some weights here and there, but felt really good challenging more of my upper body!

Awesome start, apophenia.  It sounds like you enjoyed the time on the rower.  Excellent.

I have a rower at home, but the rowers at the gym to which I used to go were always available.  It was great, because no one else wanted to try them, so I always got to do my workout without any waiting.  All the other machines (ellipticals, treadmills, ...) would have lines of people waiting their turn.

Original Post by miss_bea:

*Waves hello to the oars_man and fellow rowers*

I would like to throw my name in the hat for the rowing challenge! Since I'm new to rowing and don't want any injuries, (this month I will only be focusing on my form and technique) I'll opt for 15k if that's alright with you and the other challengers. 

6/1 - 1000 meters - 10 minutes

Hello and welcome Miss Bea.  Taking it slowly at first is a great idea.  I'll put you down for 15km.  You can always do more than your goal if you want, but setting a goal that's too high in the beginning may push you into hurting yourself.

You're off to a great start with 1k on your first day.  How did you feel after 10 minutes?  I gather that you went fairly slowly, but did you feel your muscles working at it?

Original Post by the_oarsman:

Original Post by apophenia:

This morning I rowed 4238m according to the machine.  I logged 30 minutes at the middle resistance level (5 out of 10).  I'm in fair shape from running and some weights here and there, but felt really good challenging more of my upper body!

Awesome start, apophenia.  It sounds like you enjoyed the time on the rower.  Excellent.

I have a rower at home, but the rowers at the gym to which I used to go were always available.  It was great, because no one else wanted to try them, so I always got to do my workout without any waiting.  All the other machines (ellipticals, treadmills, ...) would have lines of people waiting their turn.

 Funny, that's what got me on the rower for the first time--no lines! 

But I did have a great time, actually!  I just have to keep concentrating on form--I noticed it was harder to maintain towards the end.  Thanks for the guides on your profile--they're lots of help!

Original Post by apophenia:

 Funny, that's what got me on the rower for the first time--no lines! 

But I did have a great time, actually!  I just have to keep concentrating on form--I noticed it was harder to maintain towards the end.  Thanks for the guides on your profile--they're lots of help!

I'm glad you had a good time.  I suppose that the fewer people who know about rowing the better.  If rowing ever got popular, then it would be more difficult to get on one at the gyms.  So....shhhhhhh 

You're right in that form is so important in rowing.  I would guess that most people get hurt while rowing because of bad form.  Bad form can lead to hurt backs and sore knees.  That's why I'm so insistant for new rowers to take it real slow.  There's no reason to push too hard at first.  If you get the form right, and build the appropriate muscles slowly, then rowing can be a lifelong exercise.

Okay, my turn...7 km in a little over 32 minute.

It felt good to push myself a little.  I have a heart rate monitor that I use and I was at about 140-150 bpm for most of the row.  That's about 80% maximum for an old geezer like me.  Here's an article about zone training, in case anyone is interested.  There's also a good faq from Polar.  This is quite useful as well.

4.686 km today in 30 minutes.  Level 4 resistance.  Wore out my thighs and glutes but feel good--love that loosey goosey post-workout wearout feeling!