Frequently Asked Questions

Fri, 16 May 2008 17:41:20 +0100

Q. How do I use the CD to help me row better?
A. Good technique is essential if you want to get the most out of rowing on the Indoor Rower. R2M has been specifically written to encourage sound rowing technique by giving the listener recognisable beats at various points of the rowing stroke. As the tempo changes, so you will be encouraged to change your level of workout intensity. The rhythms have been put together to vary over the course of the workout to warm you up, vary the intensity during the main body of the exercise and cool you down without even having to think about it! Each CD has a clear diagram which will tell you how many strokes will be performed per minute and for how long. This will correspond with the information on your Performance Monitor on the rower. All you have to do is pick a CD title that gives you the intensity and type of workout you want.

Q. Why use themes such as rivers?
A. We were keen to give the exerciser an experience whilst exercising. We felt that each title has a recognisable theme and an obvious link with rowing on the water. Each CD has a different feel that creates an ‘atmosphere’ making the exercise experience more enjoyable. With our musical journey conjuring-up a host of images in your mind, you'll find, as we did, that exercise time flies by!

Q. What is the best way to get into the rhythm of the CD and how do I know which part of the beat corresponds to which part of the stroke?
A. You don’t have to ‘hit’ a particular beat to keep in time – there are actually a number which you can pick up on. The rhythms have been specifically designed to present a number of ‘audible cues’. The best way to get into the rhythm is to start counting in your head “one and two and three and four and one and two and three and four”..and so on… Start the stroke at the ‘finish’ i.e. sitting at the back of the slide, legs flat, forearms parallel to the floor with elbows tucked in and the handle against your abdomen. Lean slightly back at about the eleven o’clock position. While still counting the beat in your head, extend your arms forward on the count of one, rock forward from the hips to the one o’clock position on the count of two, now bend your legs so you come up the slide to the ‘beginning’ or ‘catch’ of the stoke so the handle is extended forward at the count of three. Drive with the legs, rock back and put your arms back into the finish position at the count of four. That’s it – one full stoke. Your Recovery:Drive ratio is 3:1 which is ideal. Soon you will get into the rhythm without having to count, but a check now and again is worthwhile to ensure you’re in the right ratio. As you get use to the music you can change the tempo by changing the point on the recovery of the count or simply pulling harder and faster.

Q. How is the music used on the R2M CDs different from any other exercise music?
A. As far as we know, nobody has ever produced music specifically for rowing. It’s not easy! Most music for exercise just needs a steady and recognisable beat corresponding to a particular movement such as a step, kick etc. Rowing is more complex than most forms of exercise because the ratio of the two principle movements up and down the slide i.e the drive and recovery phases are disproportionate in time. For good technique, the recovery (moving forward) should be a minimum of twice as long as the drive (moving backwards when the main effort is performed. Most music encourages a 1:1 ratio which is inefficient and encourages incorrect technique. Furthermore, most ‘aerobics type’ music is far too fast in tempo for rowing.

R2M has been specifically written with clear rhythms which allows a recognisable beat to be picked up at the major phases of the stroke. When you pick up the beat and time with one of the points of the rowing stroke you can’t fail to row at the correct ratio. With a little practice you can alter the beats by halving the time or speeding up to change the rowing rate and pace.

Q. What are the bonus ambient tracks for?
A. In developing the music we were keen to enhance the rowing experience by creating an ‘atmosphere’ in which to take the exercise experience to another level. The ambient tracks are used to either ‘set the scene’ whilst the class is gathering and going through the warm up phase or used to cool down after the main body of the workout. You can actually perform all the major cool down stretches whilst sitting on the indoor rower.

Q. How can I learn more about using the R2M CDs for running group sessions?
Why not become a qualified Concept 2 Crew Class Instructor. We have worked closely with Concept 2 over the last 10 years training Instructors to teach Individual and Crew Class sessions. The latest Crew Class Instructor Courses are run at Concept 2 dedicated training facility in Nottingham. The course is centered around using the music to encourage good technique and class control. Check out the link below for more information on the next course dates. Alternatively we are happy to come to your facility and train a number of Instructors.

Click here for more information

Q. Are the CDs only for group exercise to music sessions in the Gym?
Not at all. Although the music will enhance any group rowing session by giving the Instructor a unique ‘themed’ workout experience for the class, you can listen to the music on your own to get the same benefits. Why not download the music to your mp3 players. Watch this space - we will be making all the CDs available soon as downloadable mp3 files.

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