cheap rowing machines for cardio?

[TurbulentFluid]

Hullo all,

I rarely post outside women's section but please, I'd really appreciate your input... Cold days are coming so outdoor running (my fav cardio) is nearly out, and I'm stuck with my house bike.. which I'm sick and tired of, considering it's really unkind to my butt (ouch!) ;) I was thinking of buying a cheap rowing machine for cardio.. by "cheap" I mean in cca $250 range, something like
http://www.flickr.com/photos/klape/381588146/
I'm curious if they're effective, as effective, and any input/experiences you've had with them... Thanx! :)

[C Man]

Why can't you run outside in the winter? Lots of people do.

[sickonstorm]

Hullo all,

I rarely post outside women's section but please, I'd really appreciate your input... Cold days are coming so outdoor running (my fav cardio) is nearly out, and I'm stuck with my house bike.. which I'm sick and tired of, considering it's really unkind to my butt (ouch!) ;) I was thinking of buying a cheap rowing machine for cardio.. by "cheap" I mean in cca $250 range, something like
http://www.flickr.com/photos/klape/381588146/
I'm curious if they're effective, as effective, and any input/experiences you've had with them... Thanx! :)

thats gay. gey a tbar machine

[animalfan]

i've never used a magnetic resistance rower, so i'm not sure how those feel.
you should try to find one at a store to try out so you have an idea of what you are getting.

i have a concept2 (air resistance) and love it. have you looked on craigslist or ebay for more options?

[animalfan]

thats gay. gey a tbar machine

that's not the same kind of rowing.

[fopkins]

Concept2 is the way to go.

Pray to the craigslist gods every night, or save $900.

[C Man]

thats gay. gey a tbar machine

Ummm...


that's not the same kind of rowing.Exactly. What a way to show the forum your fitness knowledge.... not.

[TurbulentFluid]

thats gay. gey a tbar machine

Absolutely a different kind of rowing and why'd anyone use a t-bar machine anyway, when you can have barbells and a high - bar..? :D

Thanks everyone for the feedback! I'll check out the advised stuff too - thing is, I'm not big on funds... The reason why I can't run outside in the winter is that I can but do cardio at night, when it gets real cold, and I often end up getting a cold myself.. :( Thanks again, and I'll appreciate any further feedback!

[badocter]

I have no idea about the quality of the rower you picture. Assuming you can get a good workout on it there is the question of where you get motivation. If you can go it alone and push yourself without peer support it may be good enough...however...since you are obviously trying to leverage this forum's community to push yourself then you are probably going to want similar peer support for whatever cardio you decide to do. As far as indoor rowers go the concept2 is the only one that has a large online community and the option of online racing as well as live venue racing.
http://www.concept2.co.uk/forum/
http://www.freespiritsrowing.com/forum/
In the UK, C2 offers buying on an installment plan, so that may be an option where you live.

[TurbulentFluid]

I have no idea about the quality of the rower you picture. Assuming you can get a good workout on it there is the question of where you get motivation. If you can go it alone and push yourself without peer support it may be good enough...however...since you are obviously trying to leverage this forum's community to push yourself then you are probably going to want similar peer support for whatever cardio you decide to do. As far as indoor rowers go the concept2 is the only one that has a large online community and the option of online racing as well as live venue racing.
http://www.concept2.co.uk/forum/
http://www.freespiritsrowing.com/forum/
In the UK, C2 offers buying on an installment plan, so that may be an option where you live.

:D :D :D Thanx for the psychological profiling, now post your bank account # so I can pay the bill! :D
On the serious side, if you MUST know, when I can't go run outside, which I love to do, I get my motivation by doing cardio in front of the TV, watching a soccer game or athletics or something. Gives me a GREAT drive. I'm not asking for people whether I'll USE the machine once I buy it, I'm asking whether using it will be EFFECTIVE. Considering I'm not very big on funds OR time, buying a useless piece of cr*p and wasting 40 minutes on it a day isn't an option.

Thanx for the links, tho that stuff isn't available where I live.. :(

[Benched]

thats gay. gey a tbar machine

Gey a life.

[xaroula]

I don't know how useful my post will be, but I used to work out on a cheap-ish rowing machine. It was actually at my gym, but my gym sucked too much to buy a concept2. My brother was the stroke on the 8-man heavyweight varsity crew team all through college and went to nationals... he made fun of me constantly. Anyway, I LOVED it, despite it's cheapitude, it was the best workout I have ever gotten. Yes, it sucks that we can't all have a concept2 in our living rooms, but rowing became my all-time favorite cardio exercise by using that thing. It gave me not just an amazing workout but a huge high (which I don't even get from running).

Just make sure you try it out first. Some of them just feel like crap (wobbly, plastic-y, you feel like pieces will start to snap off) -- it should feel SMOOTH and the resistance should be consistent throughout, not like you are pulling on a slack rope or something.

We can't all afford a Concept2, that doesn't mean we shouldn't be rowing. No need to be equipment snobs ;-)

[HardKore79]

C2 or nothing at all! I've been eyeing them but won't get one until I move.

[High-point]

Been trying to find a C2 myself. Seems like the best price is $940 direct. Any other good sites?

[buffbrown21]

Been trying to find a C2 myself. Seems like the best price is $940 direct. Any other good sites?

Craigslist for sure.
I have seen them as cheap as $150 and as high as $700.