Concept 2 Rower question...

Scott Parker · 01-30-2003, 10:09 PM

what's the deal with the damper control (i think that's what it is) on the machine? i've adjusted it to different settings and can't really tell any difference.

does anyone know what this does and where it should be set at?

thanks!

scott

Robert Wolf · 01-30-2003, 10:43 PM

Sounds like it is broken! It should make the resistance increase or decrease.

Scott Parker · 01-31-2003, 07:39 AM

huh, there are actually two of them at my gym, so i'll check out the other one. it's been at 9 on the one i've been using. what setting do you all recomend setting it at?

scott

Patrick Johnston · 01-31-2003, 08:32 AM

It doesn't make a huge difference either way. At CrossFit, they usually have it at 3 I believe.

01-31-2003, 10:34 AM

Actually it can make considerable difference, although its use and effect is often misunderstood.

In brief, it controls the amount of air resistance into the turbine, against which one pulls. The higher the number, the greater the amount of air, the heavier the drag. The difference is akin to rowing a heavier versus a lighter boat. Misunderstanding typically comes from a too-literal equating of this to lifting with more or less weight. I.e., one who lifts one hundred pounds ten times is exterting more than if he lifts fifty pounds ten times. This is not necessarily analogous to drag factor, however. One can exert just as much pulling on a low drag factor as on a higher. To a degree, it is like switching gears biking. But there is yet another factor, which is that, since actions have equal and opposite reactions, resistance increases with the effort the rower applies. This sounds, perhaps, magical, but it is simple physics. Think of a boat. If one pulls an oar gently, it passes easily through the water. If one pulls hard, however, the oar doesn't fly through the water; rather one feels resistance equal to the force applied. So with the Concept 2.

A beginner will probably find that the higher drag factor results in a lower stroke rate and will tax the skeletal muscles more; the lower drag factor will cause an increase in stroke rate and less skeletal muscle fatigue. But with improved technigue this will cease necessarily to be the case.

I hope this helps.

Patrick Johnston · 01-31-2003, 01:34 PM

I guess what I meant was that it hasn't made a big difference in my times. It does feel different however.

Scott Parker · 01-31-2003, 01:45 PM

thanks for the info! i was supposed to check it out today but forgot after doing thursday's WOD. never done power cleans before and they really kicked my ***! i'll check it out tomorrow!

thanks!

scott

01-31-2003, 10:34 AM	#5
Robert Downing **** Profile:** Posts: n/a	Actually it can make considerable difference, although its use and effect is often misunderstood. In brief, it controls the amount of air resistance into the turbine, against which one pulls. The higher the number, the greater the amount of air, the heavier the drag. The difference is akin to rowing a heavier versus a lighter boat. Misunderstanding typically comes from a too-literal equating of this to lifting with more or less weight. I.e., one who lifts one hundred pounds ten times is exterting more than if he lifts fifty pounds ten times. This is not necessarily analogous to drag factor, however. One can exert just as much pulling on a low drag factor as on a higher. To a degree, it is like switching gears biking. But there is yet another factor, which is that, since actions have equal and opposite reactions, resistance increases with the effort the rower applies. This sounds, perhaps, magical, but it is simple physics. Think of a boat. If one pulls an oar gently, it passes easily through the water. If one pulls hard, however, the oar doesn't fly through the water; rather one feels resistance equal to the force applied. So with the Concept 2. A beginner will probably find that the higher drag factor results in a lower stroke rate and will tax the skeletal muscles more; the lower drag factor will cause an increase in stroke rate and less skeletal muscle fatigue. But with improved technigue this will cease necessarily to be the case. I hope this helps.
Robert Downing **** Profile:** Posts: n/a

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Concept 2 Rower	Rainer Hartmann	Equipment	11	06-26-2007 02:04 PM
GHD or Concept 2 Rower	Jason Smith	Equipment	6	09-01-2006 01:36 PM
Concept 2 Rower	Justin Arnest	Equipment	2	03-05-2004 11:34 AM
Concept 2 rower	Gregory Spilson	Equipment	18	01-05-2004 04:11 PM
Concept rower	Kelly Moore	Exercises	0	09-30-2003 10:40 AM

01-30-2003, 10:09 PM	#1
Scott Parker Member Profile: Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Denver CO Posts: 489	what's the deal with the damper control (i think that's what it is) on the machine? i've adjusted it to different settings and can't really tell any difference. does anyone know what this does and where it should be set at? thanks! scott

01-30-2003, 10:43 PM	#2
Robert Wolf Member Profile: Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Chico CA Posts: 2,669	Sounds like it is broken! It should make the resistance increase or decrease.

01-31-2003, 07:39 AM	#3
Scott Parker Member Profile: Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Denver CO Posts: 489	huh, there are actually two of them at my gym, so i'll check out the other one. it's been at 9 on the one i've been using. what setting do you all recomend setting it at? scott

01-31-2003, 08:32 AM	#4
Patrick Johnston Member Profile: Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Modesto Ca Posts: 361	It doesn't make a huge difference either way. At CrossFit, they usually have it at 3 I believe.

01-31-2003, 01:34 PM	#6
Patrick Johnston Member Profile: Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Modesto Ca Posts: 361	I guess what I meant was that it hasn't made a big difference in my times. It does feel different however.

01-31-2003, 01:45 PM	#7
Scott Parker Member Profile: Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Denver CO Posts: 489	thanks for the info! i was supposed to check it out today but forgot after doing thursday's WOD. never done power cleans before and they really kicked my ***! i'll check it out tomorrow! thanks! scott