So when I was at GayRomLit in October, the conference hotel had two workout rooms. Apparently I wasn’t supposed to use the one that had the rowing machines but the signage was ambiguous and I probably would’ve ignored it anyway. Unfortunately that workout room only had water rowers.

Rowers depend on resistance to provide the workout. Okay, not controversial statement. The Concept2 rower (usually called an ergometer or erg), used by about 99% of the rowing world, as well as CrossFit, most gyms, and people who have any self respect, derives its resistance from what is essentially a giant bungee cord that is easily replaced. Actually most pieces on the C2 erg are easily replaced, and my erg at home is now made up almost entirely of replaced parts. I have Frankenstein’s ergometer.

That resistance is supplemented by an adjustable fan that most people set way too high. I usually see resistances between 5 and 10 at CrossFit or gyms. To put it in perspective, that’s equivalent to rowing a rowboat or coal barge. No one needs that much wind resistance. it only courts injury. Rowers row between 2 and 4 to put it in perspective.

So what’s my beef with toilet–I mean water–rowers? They use water to create resistance, water in a sealed chamber. There appeared to be no way to lower the resistance. There was a sort of belt, but it didn’t do anything. It was like rowing a–wait for it–toilet bowl.

http://www.christopherkoehler.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/IMG_3643-300x225.jpg

The round critter behind the wood is the sealed water chamber, ie, the toilet bowl.

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