Welcome to even more of you...heh, heh...looks like we're going to have a Team come this holiday...

If you're working out at a club, start being a squeaky wheel for upkeep on the Concept2 machines. (sorry) If they're creaky at all, the chain needs oiling. If they don't pull from the catch (when your hands are nearest the wheel), the bungy needs adjusting. If they don't roll well, the seat rollers may need adjusting. It might even take downloading the instructions from the Concept 2 site on maintenance and taking them in. At one club that I now visit every time I see my parents, I take my own oil, because they've never oiled the poor machine, smuggling it in and out because I'm sure that would be frowned upon. These machines are expensive, and they can work so smoothly...or so horribly. I'm sure that the state of many club machines has turned off potential rowers.

Definitely do what Howard said: work at level 3, or at most level 4. (Lots of times I get into a hotel rower or a club and find the machine set at 9 or 10, a rating that can really hurt your back if you don't know what you're doing...one group does it for weight-lifting purposes.) Level three or even two is what you might feel in a sweep boat at speed. It's when you start getting your stroke rate up to 30 or 33 that you'll realize it's all legs and is just as good a workout as the higher numbers. The only reason to put it higher is if you need to for resistance. On club machines, I find that sometimes I have to move the lever to five or even six to get the feeling of pulling.

One more thing: do "hard" days every other, like you would with weights or on a heart-monitor program. That will keep the burnout problem from happening. And I have to remember every time I get into a boat: "hang" on the handle. You want to feel your lats as though you're hanging on the monkey bars as you push with your legs. Only when your legs are just about flat do you start your swing. It feels so good!

Enjoy this! It's such great exercise, whether on a machine or on the water. Find a way to try it on the water if you haven't. You will think you're in heaven, at least momentarily, followed by the wonderment that a group of people are willing to work so hard together.

Hi, just introducing myself to the rowing group.

I took up rowing on October 2012 as part of some medical advice. It was important for me to reduce joint wear and impact due to a genetic condition.

Cycling was my first passion but I just didn't get the upper body and core workout from it, so I naturally progressed to the rower. This is where I felt like I excelled. Spurred on by my advantageous height of 1.98m / 6ft6 and strong cycling legs, I found myself doing great times with ease.

I've used the rower weekly for about 11 months, just generally improving my technique and shaving small amounts off my time. However in the last month, I have stepped up my health drive, quit smoking and been careful with my diet.

I've had some incredible results and set two personal bests in the last week.

I'm a big guy so I work with a long stroke at 24 s/m typically and bursting at 27 s/m. I can do 5km in 19min 29secs and currently am concentrating on the 5k distance.

Joining this group to look for tips and advice to get better with my technique.

Wow Louis, you've really been doing well with the weight loss.

Oh, and welcome to the rowing group.

Welcome just joined myself but it seems a little quiet around here!

Good luck with the swimming and the 1.5 million, sounds like you'll have no problem.

I should have stopped by here first and said howdy!

I'm primarily a runner and cyclist but took up rowing a couple of years back as a cross training activity and love it. I try to get 2 or 3 rows in each week. My longest row to date is a half-marathon distance (I wish I could run one in under 2 hrs!) and I'm contemplating a full marathon distance (probably in the New Year.

I'm in!

Hi all! I row for Three Rivers Rowing Association in Pgh on the women's masters team. I just started rowing in May after an injury sidelined me from running. I really love this sport!!

Sweet! We are doing the challenge too! Headed to the boathouse in the AM to squeak out those last few thousand meters so we can get over 1 million meters as a group! What are some teams you guys belong to?

Hi everyone! Not new to rowing, bought a concept II almost 1 year ago--been lurking on MFP for a bit longer, however mostly avoided to forums as I never have much to say :-S

About me...So far I'm maintaining my fitness level and goal weight. Things are definitely getting harder as I close in on 50 however. I 'erg' approximately 30,000m per week (two 10,000m) and two or three HIIT sessions at 500m intervals. I occasionally attempt the pre-programmed 1:40/0.20 interval but holy crap! It sucks....

Hoping to add cycling to my routine when we finally thaw out here in Alberta as well.

I use MFP to track my weekly calories and carb intake --ultimately I'd love to be rid of my ghastly "mommy-tummy" soooo... hopefully I can achieve that little goal.

Anyone using the concept II thinking about taking on the March madness challenge?

Hoping to add cycling to my routine when we finally thaw out here in Alberta as well.

Anyone using the concept II thinking about taking on the March madness challenge?

Welcome to the group! If you're desperate to ride in the winter (but not crazy enough to do it in the snow.....) consider picking up a trainer (Cycleops, Kurt Kinetic etc) - great way to keep the bike fitness up.

I did the March Madness (Mud Season Madness) challenge last year & plan on doing it again.

Thank you for the bike tip-- I have eyebaled the trainers but can't figure out where to put everything! Gah, kids hockey gear, my rower, even some furniture here and there ;-) ... really, I should move to a larger home :-D

May I take this opportunity to applaud your beautiful province for developing some of the most talented (and good lookimg--am I alone in noticing the Canadian athletes are all very good looking??) Olympic athletes this country has ever seen?? Thank you...

Mud Season....that's right!! Forgot what it was called. I'm going to take a shot at the 5000m for 25 days....see how I do. May email you mid-month when I can't motivate myself anymore!