To think 2k on the rowing machine a day can’t fail to see some improvement?

[TheViewFromTheCheapSeats]

DH has a fancy rowing machine, I’ve started using it. I need mindless, quick cardio I can fit round life.

I’m doing 2k a day, most days. About ten min as I’m not a gym buff. I’m a not massively fit mum of 5 in her 40s who’s never been to gym.

The forums are so so negative saying this is pointless. Surely getting my heart rate up (I don’t otherwise) is good??? I’ve got a decent technique I think, thanks to youtube.

I don’t want anything but mindless, not downloading anything. I want to pick up, use it and squeeze it in without thought around running round kids. Otherwise all I really do is walk, walk, walk. Pretty much zero cardio unless the bus appears ahead of me!

Has anyone tried similar and seen a result?
I notice I’m already finding it far far easier. I barely made 1k before

Can’t be worse than sitting on your arse doing nothing.

You've started doing it and that a massive win. Now stick to doing it every day then build on it, either more distance in the 10 minutes or build up to 15, 20 and so on.

Well done to you

Any movement at all is positive
It surely depends what you mean by ‘see a difference’
If you mean will you lose 3 stone in a fortnight …well, no.
But if you mean get fitter - then you’re already seeing that! So yes of course it will make a difference!

Better than nothing but results will be limited doing a short stint. Increasing intensity and time spent will improve results but you must remain consistent and keep it up.
Longer sessions work better if you alternate workout days with rest days too.

It is so worth it, as you get better and then other fitness goals become in reach.

I started with rowing, it is so boring ! But then it helped me do couch to 5k so now I can run to the beach and back. Life changing!

You're better off doing 20 minutes of strength training. I do 2 sets of
50 donkey kicks per leg
50 lots of weights
50 squats
50 crunches
50 leg lifts
Obviously I worked up to that from like 25 each.
I'd say I noticed a difference in the last 3 months but then I was 3.5miles with ds in his pram and then run 3.5 miles.

I'd view it as the first step in building exercise into your routine.

Can you up it to twice a day? And maybe add 5 minutes to the total each week?

I find it helps to think in terms of what you can do, rather than what you can't do. I can't get to the gym at the moment as my husband is constantly working late/weekends, so I've started doing some weights in the morning before everyone gets up, dancing around the kitchen at night while making dinner and running races at the playground with my DC when it's relatively empty. I reckon it's got to be better than nothing and it makes me think twice about chomping biscuits.

I've also got the buggy back out even though DC is far too big for it so I can have a proper brisk paced walk up the hill to the pond near us rather than a couple of miles meandering aimlessly through the park at preschooler pace.

What results do you want?

There’s obviously better things. BUT, I struggle to do anything. 5 kids, life… computing it all, being unfit. I end up realistically doing nothing.

I’ve noticed whereas I was sweaty and a mess after 1k in ten min before, I can do a steady 2k on the same time without feeling like I might die. That to me says it’s improving me. Obviously I won’t not build it up as and when I can.

Where do I want to be? Just a bit better really. A gut that is a little less bloated and cranky, it is changing. A little leaner, but 5 kids say I’m not changing loads. I’m have a healthy bmi, not slim, but healthy so I’m not worried about my weight so much. Bmi is about 23 point something. A bit to lose would look nice, but I won’t be too worried.

I just want to not slide into really unfit. Or a upset gut all the time as I feel I was. I’m not inclined towards remembering exercises, or sticking to them. I’ve never entered a gym. I struggle to have time to do much at all. I’m not winning at all in time management

Regarding walking as a suggestion I do, just to get around. Just no cardio. According to my phone about 8000-10000 a day normally, just getting around.

@soberdovered weirdly the boring is suiting me, I have a lack of brain space. I just zone out

I just end up so defeated about the think of you mention it/ look into it. Just a ‘it’s pointless’ doing that

You are currently 2k a day up on before, that’s something to be proud of.

I started out power walking for 15min at lunch time Monday to Friday before I found the courage to join a gym. One year later I am down 2 dress sizes, have more stamina (well usually, currently post covid) and do 3 x 10k row or bike on top of my gym classes.

5 kids ! Wow well done you. Keep going, enjoy the boredom and maybe aim to get faster.

How does a journey of a 1000 miles start.
With a single step.

[Hmmmmm nods wisely in an annoying fashion]

All exercise is good. Just make sure your technique is good so you don’t strain your back.

It's great! You've seen improvement already. Well done OP!

OP - 2k per day will make a difference - you will lose weight, tone and get fitter.
Ignore the naysayers!

You will find by wwek 2 you can do more and will gradually increase.

Go for it

The main thing for me is it seems to work the bloat. The motion seems to help with gas and generally stop it all being sluggish, which I’m very very prone to. So even if I’m not losing weight, my stomach is flatter. So I’d do for that.

But also I just can’t believe that the fitness benefits are as bad as everyone says. I otherwise never ever really raise my heart rate tbh. I walk miles, but I’m never out of breath.

I tried 5 k tonight but it took ages and got dull. I can imagine it killing the urge to try. It was also nearly half an hour and far harder to squeeze in, I was getting nagged and nagged which also made it frustrating. In 2 k I’ve had a little kisstory to shout out along with a row and a bit of fun before I’m hunted out and noticed!

Good on you for trying more, but it’s definitely no fun if the kids hunt you down!

I agree about movement helping the bloat, I find increasing my water intake helps too.
It’s amazing how easily you can fit in bursts of 25 squats and I increase my steps by banning myself from using the downstairs loo - another positive side effect of drinking more water.

OP you could try a couple of ten minute bursts in the day, which might make it easier.

I don't think it's worth pushing it to the point where it's boring and not something you'll willingly do. The best exercise is whatever you will stick at long term, and 2k rowing most days is good going and will be beneficial.

I'd still try and add in some random sections where you go as fast as you can for, say, a count of 20 two or three times in your 2k. Varying pace helps with fitness and heart health. But if that makes it into something you don't enjoy and start making excuses to avoid, then it's not worth it.

10 mins is fine (for now) as long as it’s intense enough. If it’s getting easier, you row faster. Intervals would probably be more bang for your buck with extended sprints and shorter rest periods.

@TheViewFromTheCheapSeats I know this thread is a few months old, but just wanted to ask how you are getting along? I’m thinking of investing in a rowing machine…