There is something to be said for intentionally suffering through an exercise feat that initially appears impossible or well out of one's league.
For instance, I had used the rowing machine before, and years before I had rowed three sets of 1 hour, with 5–10 minute breaks between, every 1–3 weeks. But one day I decided I would row 4 hours in a go; and then, after a day of rest, started rowing 2 hours on a daily basis. Really fit folks at my box frequently remark that they don't think they are capable of rowing for 2 hours, let alone daily — but once one has rowed for 4 hours in a row, a daily 2-hour session feels like a cakewalk.
To get a little Goggins-esque, there are plenty of days in which my body and/or mind wants to stop. Finishing anyway feels like carving, sanding down, and oiling a groove in the mind, and it makes imposing my will the next time even easier. Indeed, it makes imposing my will and completing other things my mind wants to quit easier too.
Exercise is about training not only the body but also the mind.
(Of course, I presume good fitness already; and one should check with one's doctor first.)
bob1029•3mo ago
I row every day without exception for ~40 minutes at a rate of around 800-900kcal/hr. 2 hours seems excessive. You can trade intensity for time. It will suck a lot more, but that's kind of the point.
The best way to build power on the rower is to do HIIT. Pulling at 1400kcal/hr for a solid minute will awaken something inside of you. I'd start with 30s sprint, 60s recovery. The idea is to try to break the chain during the sprint. A C2 rower can handle anything if that's what you're using. There's no way you could hurt that machine. I'd encourage you to try.
treetalker•3mo ago
For instance, I had used the rowing machine before, and years before I had rowed three sets of 1 hour, with 5–10 minute breaks between, every 1–3 weeks. But one day I decided I would row 4 hours in a go; and then, after a day of rest, started rowing 2 hours on a daily basis. Really fit folks at my box frequently remark that they don't think they are capable of rowing for 2 hours, let alone daily — but once one has rowed for 4 hours in a row, a daily 2-hour session feels like a cakewalk.
To get a little Goggins-esque, there are plenty of days in which my body and/or mind wants to stop. Finishing anyway feels like carving, sanding down, and oiling a groove in the mind, and it makes imposing my will the next time even easier. Indeed, it makes imposing my will and completing other things my mind wants to quit easier too.
Exercise is about training not only the body but also the mind.
(Of course, I presume good fitness already; and one should check with one's doctor first.)
bob1029•3mo ago
The best way to build power on the rower is to do HIIT. Pulling at 1400kcal/hr for a solid minute will awaken something inside of you. I'd start with 30s sprint, 60s recovery. The idea is to try to break the chain during the sprint. A C2 rower can handle anything if that's what you're using. There's no way you could hurt that machine. I'd encourage you to try.