what do you think? Does it help? How much? What would help more?

I hear they have teh hot chixes

Rowing is an excellent total body exercise. You do need the sliding seat mechanism too exercise the legs as well.

Al

I've rowed singles competitively and still occasionally cross train on my Concept 2. From a cross training perspective I like it better than running (because it uses upper body) and swimming (because it uses legs a lot more). www.concept2.com has some great resources and forums.

One note - rowing is a technique sport, so make sure you start easy and get the motion down correctly before you start hammering. Also use lower resistance (4 or 5 on a Concept 2). In rowing higher resistance does not actually equal harder or faster.

+1.......proper technique in rowing is so important....i've lost count the number of times i've cringed watching people using the ergometer at the gym incorrectly

Do both at once. Get a Thys rowingbike LINK.

ok, so what is proper technique?

that thing looks fun, but ill stick with my roadie

Sounds wierd, but the proper way to do this is to grab the handles and extend your legs to almost fully strait (strait hurts the knees), sit strait up or even a leaning a little bit backwards, pull the handles to your chest. this is the finishing position.

From here...
let the handles pull till your arms are fully extended
bend AT THE HIPS so you're leaning as far forward as possible (when you had your back strait it should still be strait, do not bend with your back or you'll hurt yourself)
now bend your knees and slide foward

^THIS IS THE STARTING POSITION^

So reverse order

legs
back
arms
-reverse
arms
back
legs

and continue. I was on my rowing team in college, this is the gist of it

Yep, and like cycling "perfect" (let's not start that debate) circles it is the transitions that you really need to work on. I posted a link above to concept 2's site - they have a ton of good resources and videos on technique.

The most common mistake I see is bending the knees before your hands pass over them. this means that you need to lift your hands to clear your knees since they are already in motion. And it is bad, not to mention awkward looking!

I enjoy my Concept 2. I used to like my Precor cross-country ski machine even more, but Precor stopped making it, the machine broke, and I could no longer get parts.

Thanks for the rowing technique tips. I think I will try rowing next week.