Medic Zero

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The brutal winter weather here has actually precluded me commuting via bicycle to work a few times and is definitely making me not want to take pleasure rides right now either. Coinciding with this I've been going to the gym again the past few months and sadly their rowing machines are basically useless to me, I assume due to my mass (275+).

Anyone know of any particular makes/models of rowing machines that can handle the mass of us bigger folk and still give us a workout with a little resistance? I've got room for one in the basement, but don't want to buy until I know it'll actually work for me. I used to love rowing and would like to use it again to work

Muchas dankes!




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Cyclist0108

Concept2 Model D Indoor Rowing Machine

brawlo

^^^ x2

I too have looked into these. For the money, the Concept 2 is very hard to beat. There's better, but only a little and they're more expensive too

eja_ bottecchia

Have you tried looking at these?

https://www.waterrower.com

A little pricey, but I have had mine for 20 years and it still works like when it was new.

I have used it on a regular basis and it provides a great work out.

Good luck.

btpdragon

x3. I had one when I had a house with more space. Amazing machine, great workout, and will hold it's value. I sold mine for not much less than I purchased it for. At that was after 4 years of decent use.

Cyclist0108

Ours is in the garage and under-used. Maybe I should put it in the living room.

eja_ bottecchia

I love my WaterRower. I have to keep it in the garage, just not enough room inside the house. But I still use it 3-4 times a week.

A WR machine is featured in the TV show House of Cards. Fictional President Underwood (Kevin Spacey) uses it on a regular basis.

I love how the wood has now acquired a nice patina which makes the WR look almost like another piece of furniture. Too bad I have to keep it in the garage.

sclemmons

The Water Rower reminds me of House of Cards. Concept II for the win! I have had a Model B for 30 years. It will wear you out.

Terryble

I have a Concept 2 Model E and the extra height is the best, it is designed for up to 500 pounds just like the D but higher for people with less mobility.

WonderMonkey

My vote as well.

DMC707

Rowing is a much more enjoyable activity for me than stationary cycling --- I have the Concept 2 as well standing by at home ,

Even with one at home, I feel blessed to have an Olympic training center for rowing right in my backyard --- on a nice day I like to drag one out on their patio and get in a workout in the sun --- and I will often follow up with a bike ride



Even won this t shirt in a unofficial "distance contest" of sorts a few years back leading up to the London Olympics ---- elite resident athletes were obviously not taking part in the contest, -- I pulled between 10 and 15,000 meters a day for 2 weeks and won in a landslide.

Note: I didn't win by skill, but rather attrition --- I really like the activity, and most of the other participants skipped a day or three here and there or just lost interest after the first 2 or 3 days ---

As a Clyde, I don't get many tokens of athletic achievement anymore, so this humble tee shirt will stay in the trophy case a while I think


And to the OP, -- I was over 300 lbs then , but at the lofty height of 5'9"


I feel like it compliments my cycling and some days I can get in a row when I don't feel like messing with the bike at all

----- On the flip side, I use the rower to warm up for cycling --- the elite athletes use spin bikes to warm up for rowing -- I have seen these guys and gals go for an hour on the spin bike working up a lather Before getting on the rower for their real workout . Its nice to be young and gifted

Medic Zero

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Thanks everyone!

Seems to be a strong consensus on this one! I'm going to have to start saving and keep an eye out for one of those! Definitely worth it, I've been missing rowing (machine or on water*) and need to get back in shape.


* When I lived in Seattle, I'd occassionally go to the Waterfront Activities Center at the UW and check out a row boat and spend hours rowing around the shore, sometimes stopping for a picnic. It's open to the public, and was like six bucks. I haven't found anything comporable in the Portland area yet.




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DMC707

I have always wanted to try one of these --- I have been told that they are quieter than the Concept 2's

eja_ bottecchia

Hi, not "quieter" per se.


The sound they make is the whooshing sound of the paddles moving inside the water tank.


I think that if you go their website, they may have sound clips. Or you can go to YouTube and hear this:

squirtdad

adding to the fun here is 20 minute interval workout that I do on concept2 at work before doing weights.

Row for 2 minutes to warm up moderate pace

at 2:00 30 seconds as hard as you can go
at 2:30 I minute 30 seconds easy
repeat at 4, 6,8,10,12,14 and 16 minutes. Finish the last 3 minutes 30 seconds at a comfortable pace

I set the disply so I can seem how many watts I a generating.

game I am playing is to see if I can increase total distance and average watt output each session.

Rvav8r

I have a Concept 2 Model D and have had it for 12 years or so. I have used it on average 2 times a week during that time. It still runs like it was new.

Swamp Yankee

Here's one of my rowing machines

blue192

Oh boy I was about to type "Concept2 Model D" but several others beat me to it. But seriously that is one of the better rowing machines.

saskskier

Concept2. The only workout that's ever made me actually vomit was 5x500m max effort sprints on a C2 rower. If i had more space in my basement suite, I would own one to help get through the long, Canadian winters.