Oh how I love my rowing machine (apol. to Ford)

[Toby]

Well, it was my (wife's :D) b'day last week, so I got (her :D) a 2ndhand Concept 2 Model C from my old high school. Mmm, Concept 2. I'm gunna do my HIIT on this over winter so I can avoid the rain and dark nights. I only did HIIT sprints once at night and it wasn't easy in the dark. It has built in interval counting so I don't need to use my HRM for timekeeping. I can watch TV as I go. Oh, man, it's sweet. Nice all over workout feel, too. Like doing multiple lightweight deadlifts. I haven't used one for a few years and had forgotten how good they are.

On the down side, the 5 yr old ergo that has seen many puking school kids cost me more than a new Model D costs in the U.S. :mad: On the down side part 2 I did a session with bare feet the other day. I felt the pain as I was going, but I didn't want to stop my intervals. After I stopped I was almost scared to look down at the dime-sized raw circle on my left heel. WC class sucked last night - my shoe rubbed right on the sore spot. Also, last night was lots of footwork. My squats this cycle are being done with thongs until it heals.

[Ka]

Agreed, good bit of kit,C2s are the stardard and vitually bullet proof.Sorry to hear you didn't get a 2 hand for a reasonable price,they are regular features at a low prices in the trading posts over this side.(God bless are those short lived fittness fanatics)
I am pondering why you did a row session bare foot?

[Ford Prefect]

You're truly a hopeless romantic.

[Toby]

Originally posted by Ka
Agreed, good bit of kit,C2s are the stardard and vitually bullet proof.Sorry to hear you didn't get a 2 hand for a reasonable price,they are regular features at a low prices in the trading posts over this side.(God bless are those short lived fittness fanatics)
I am pondering why you did a row session bare foot? It cost me $1200. That's the norm for others I've seen here. I looked on the internet and saw Model D's for US$850. Sykes' price for D's in Oz is $2400ish :eek:.

I rowed barefoot because I used to often row barefoot or with socks on (in shells). I should've put socks on :o. It didn't hurt through the whole 8min warmup or until the 3rd or 4th interval and I didn't want to stop then. Guess I'm stupid like that.

Ford, I also got (her :D) some sweet leather focus pads a few weeks back. She loves them when she gets to hit. Not so much when I get to hit. I also got her a double end bag after Iron's glowing review but I haven't put it up yet. Funny, OTOH she thinks I'm stupid to want to buy a bunch of chains. I rang a few specialty rigging stores to get prices and she didn't understand why I didn't just go to the hardware store. I didn't have the heart to tell her I want $100+ of chains and I can save and get quality from a rigging shop.

[azeotropic]

What exactly do you do with $100 worth of chains? Excuse my naivety, im new:confused:

[Toby]

This (http://www.deepsquatter.com/strength/archives/ls15.htm).

[azeotropic]

so the point is when the bar is at chest alot of the chain lays on the ground, lightening the load, allowing you to push faster from the lowest position?

[Toby]

Yeah. Also, the weakest part of e.g. benchpress is at the lower ROM. From about 1/2 way up to all the way up you have strength in reserve so you could potentially lift much more up there. It's like how some people do partial squats, like a 1/4 squat. They might do e.g. 600lbs full squat, but 1000lbs 1/4 squat because they are moving in their most advantageous ROM.

[azeotropic]

on topic, i agree the rowing machine is great. Builds endurance and cardo quicker than most things i've tried. Also uses your whole body. You've convinced me to start looking for one in Perth:cool:

[Toby]

Yeah, I'm in Perth too. As I said, my old high school was selling them a few weeks back for $1200. If you're interested, try calling Scotch College and ask for Grant Ford (head of rowing). Other places I've seen include the Quokka (http://www.quokka.com.au) . A company advertises ex-hire units on there. Dunno the price. I just knew the school ones were relatively well looked after, even though they're bulletproof anyway. Only thing I dislike is they don't use the legs as much as I'd like. I remember in school rowing season finished and the very next day we had some guest coach come in and give us a killer training session for our 1st rugby session of the season. I remember a lot of guys puking, etc. I also remember my legs were nowhere near up to the task, despite a fairly intensive rowing season.