Rowing

**FightSpirit** · 30-08-2010 06:47 PM

I saw a note online about rowing 2000m being a good measure of your fitness level and last week jumped on for the first time in months. I done it in 9mins 34, having tried to pace myself.

Today I went off quicker, flagged towards the end and done it in 8mins 42. As soon as I stopped I felt dizzy and heartburn like pain gripping the centre of my body. So much so I had to go and sit down on the mats.

I've never experienced anything quite like that in he gym before. What does rowing at some degree of intensity do to the central nervous sytem?

**James_Ren** · 06-09-2010 12:11 PM

Shouldn't do anything more / worse than any other form of cardio really.

As an exercise, rowing incorporates more muscles than a lot of other forms of cardio, so perhaps it's the fact that you're using your whole body that's wiping you out. As a regular rower, I certianly know the feeling of completing a 2k - it's the worst (and best if you get a pb!)

I would advise spending a bit of time working on your technique, and getting the motion correct. Look up a good video on proper technique on youtube - and more importantly, practice it!. Practice at low rates, not pulling too hard, just getting the sequence right, and steadily building up.

With the right technique you can easily knock 20s off of your time without being any fitter!

**James_Ren** · 06-09-2010 12:26 PM

Additionally, trying not to scare you unecessarily....

If you find that happens again, I would probably consider speaking to your GP. It's probably just as a result of feeling absolutely knackered and nothing to worry about, but central chest pain - on exertion can be a sign of something slightly more serious. But as I say, it's probably nothing to worry about!

**Elvis** · 06-09-2010 02:05 PM

I love/hate the rower, 4823m in 20mins is my current personal best, might try for a 2k time (at that pace I should be good for 8m18s)

500m is good fun, < 2 mins of complete carnage (check out some of the youtube vids)

wrt to feeling funny, can't add much to James's advice.

Rowing is the king of cardio, it gives most of the body a good spanking.