Quote:
Originally Posted by Hitch
I've chatted a bit with Stranger about her bike; I love my Waterrower. Until I developed an issue with my lower back, I was a fairly serious exerciser. I still have all my home-gym equipment (hope springs eternal--that or denial, take your pick). But regardless of how decrepit I get, I can always row on my Waterrower. What I love about it the most, oddly enough, isn't really related to the exercise, per se; it's the swooshing of the water. It's very relaxing. Sure, sometimes I run a video, or watch TV; but sometimes I just "zen out," listening to the swoosh of the water.
The downside is, you either need the space for it or be willing to pop it up vertically each day. If memory serves, Stranger's BikeErg is more compact.
You definitely want a softer seat, if you're bony, (like your humble correspondent here) on ANY bike. You want to be sure that you can work at a very slow rate, easier rate and a more challenging rate. I recommend going into a store, dressed (somewhat) for it and rowing away, see if you like it. Make sure that the layout of the bike FITS your personal anatomy--not all rowers will.
If you wish to compete with others, online, the BikeErg is "The One," complete with all sorts of online groups, competitions, groups and all that. If you're a more solitary creature and like the SWOOSH, then you may wish to consider the WaterRower.
Pro tip: there are a crapload of exercise bikes on the second-hand market. People with good intentions, who keep it for a year, use it twice, and then get rid of it. I'd always look there before buying new--but then again, I'm terminally CHEAP. :-) (As all y'alls know!)
Offered FWIW.
Hitch
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For the record, we have two machines -
The Concept2 BikeErg, which is an exercise bike AND
The Concept2 Rower, which is a rowing machine.
I think Rumple was asking about bikes, so my comments were limited to that. I can wax POETIC about my rower, but I shan't for now.