Indoor rowing is one of the most effective workouts for building endurance, strength, and overall fitness. It’s also a fun way to challenge yourself and compete with others. Concept2, the leading manufacturer of indoor rowing machines, has a variety of challenges throughout the year that can help you stay motivated and engaged in your indoor rowing routine. One of the most exciting periods of challenges is coming up, starting on March 1 and running through April 15, and it includes three unique challenges that every rower should consider joining.
These challenges include Mud Season Madness, International Women’s Day Challenge, and World Erg Challenge. All three challenges have unique goals, rules, and incentives that make them worth considering. In this article, we’ll dive deep into each challenge and what you can expect from participating in them. We’ll also share our own challenge, where we’ll be rowing 10,000 meters every day until April 15th, and why we think you should join us in this quest.
Mud Season Madness
Mud Season Madness is an indoor rowing challenge that takes place from March 1 to March 31. This challenge is perfect for anyone looking to stay motivated and active during the winter-to-spring transition period, which can often be muddy and unpleasant outside. To complete the basic challenge, you need to row, ski, or ride 5000 meters every day for 25 days in March. If you want to take it up a notch, the advanced challenge requires you to row, ski, or ride 10,000 meters or more for 25 days in March.
The challenge is individual, and there is no sign-up required. All you need to do is log your meters online in your Concept2 logbook. Indoor rower, SkiErg, and BikeErg meters are counted, but on-water or on-snow meters are not allowed. You can combine meters from each machine to reach the daily total of 5000 or 10,000 meters. Kids aged 16 and under can also participate in the Kids Mud Season Madness Challenge by rowing 2500 meters a day. Adaptive athletes can choose to participate at the 2500m, 5000m, or 10k levels.
The incentives and rewards for completing the challenge are exciting. Participants who complete the challenge can enter a daily prize drawing for Concept2 Rowing Shorts, T-shirts, and hats. The more days you complete, the higher your chances of winning. If you complete at least 5000 meters for at least 25 days during the month of March, you will be listed in the Mud Season Madness Progress Board and be able to download a specially designed certificate. For kids and adaptive athletes, the incentives and rewards go into effect at 2500 meters.
International Women’s Day Challenge
The International Women’s Day Challenge is a one-day indoor rowing event that takes place on March 8. This event is designed to raise awareness for equality and to help grow women’s sport. Participants can row, ski, or ride 5000 meters on International Women’s Day to complete the challenge. The best part of this challenge is that Concept2 will donate $5 for every person who completes the challenge to charities working to help grow women’s sport.
All athletes, regardless of gender, are welcome to participate in this challenge. To participate, you need to sign up on the front page of the Logbook and then row, ski, or ride on March 8. You must row or ski exactly 5000m (RowErg or SkiErg) or ride 10,000m (BikeErg). Meters must be entered online in your Concept2 logbook.
The incentives and rewards for completing the challenge include a special is available on the World Rowing website.
The World Erg Challenge
The World Erg Challenge is a team challenge that runs from March 15 to April 15. It’s a great opportunity to gather your friends, family, or coworkers and work towards a common goal while having fun and getting fit.
To participate in the challenge, you must belong to a team. You can either join an existing team or create your own. To join a team, simply visit the Teams page on the Concept2 website and choose a team that you would like to join. You can also create your own team by clicking the “Create a New Team” button on the same page. Once you have a team, you can start logging your meters on the Concept2 Logbook.
It’s important to note that the World Erg Challenge is not the same as your club affiliation in your profile. Teams must be an established “club” under one of the following divisions: Virtual, Education, Military, On-Water, Health/Fitness, Corporate, Emergency Services, Medical Facility, Correctional Facility, or CrossFit. Team standings in all divisions will be posted online throughout the duration of the challenge, so you can compare your club’s performance with other similar clubs.
Teams must consist of at least two people, and team members will not appear on the challenge boards until at least two people are taking part. Also, all team members must be added to the team, and team members who have their own logbooks must indicate in their logbooks that they are actively participating in the current challenge. Meters completed each week should be entered no later than midnight on Friday of that week. It makes it fair and fun for everyone if you can watch the progress of the teams that you are competing against.
The World Erg Challenge is a free event, and anyone with an online logbook at concept2.com can participate. Incentives and rewards include inclusion on the World Erg Challenge Honor Board, a specially designed downloadable certificate for each team member, and the option to purchase World Erg Challenge goodies at our third-party fulfillment vendor (availability varies by country).
In summary, the World Erg Challenge is a team challenge that runs from March 15 to April 15. You can join an existing team or create your own team to participate. It’s a great way to work towards a common goal with friends, family, or coworkers while having fun and getting fit. The challenge is free, and incentives and rewards include inclusion on the World Erg Challenge Honor Board and a specially designed downloadable certificate for each team member.
Fun is Slow and Slow Rowing is Fun
With all these exciting challenges and events coming up, it can be tempting to focus solely on speed and performance. However, it’s important to remember that rowing can also be a meditative and relaxing activity that can benefit your mental and physical health.
One way to cultivate this slower, more mindful approach to rowing is to focus on your breathing. Try to sync your breathing with your strokes, inhaling as you start the stroke and exhaling as you finish. This can help you relax and stay present in the moment, instead of getting caught up in thoughts of speed and performance.
Another way to incorporate slow, meditative rowing into your routine is to experiment with different stroke rates. Try rowing at a slower pace, with a lower stroke rate, and see how it feels. This can be a great way to build endurance and improve your technique, while also enjoying the more relaxing aspects of rowing.
In conclusion, the Concept2 indoor rowing challenges and events coming up over the next few weeks offer a fantastic opportunity to challenge yourself, have fun, and connect with other rowers around the world. Whether you’re aiming for a personal best in the World Erg Challenge or simply looking to enjoy the meditative aspects of rowing in the Mud Season Madness challenge, there’s something for everyone.
So don’t hesitate – sign up for the challenges that interest you, and start rowing! Remember, it’s not about being the fastest or the strongest – it’s about having fun, staying healthy, and challenging yourself to be the best you can be. And don’t forget, fun is slow and slow rowing is fun!
Slow and Steady Completes the Challenge!
When it comes to rowing 5,000m or 10,000m every single day for several weeks, pacing yourself is essential. If you go too hard too soon, you’re likely to tire quickly and not be able to complete your daily distance goal. It’s important to find a pace that you can maintain for the entire workout.
One approach to pacing yourself is to break the workout into smaller chunks. For example, if you’re rowing 10,000m, you could break it into five 2,000m intervals. During each interval, aim to row at a consistent pace. This will help you conserve energy and avoid burning out too quickly.
However, it’s also important to challenge yourself during your daily workouts. One way to do this is to add some hard 20s or hard 10s during the workout. During these intervals, really reach down and row as hard as you can for 10 or 20 strokes. You can add an “up one, up to” like they do on rowing teams, so it’s actually more like 12 or 22 full-force strokes. These intervals can help you build strength and endurance, but they should be used sparingly and not at the expense of pacing yourself for the overall workout.
In terms of logging your workouts, the Concept2 Online Logbook is a great tool. It allows you to track your progress over time and participate in challenges like the Mud Season Madness, International Women’s Day Challenge, and World Erg Challenge. To log your workouts, you’ll need to use a Concept2 erg, like the indoor rower, SkiErg, or BikeErg. You can then use the Logbook website or the ErgData app to record your workout data.
Joining the Concept2 Online Logbook is free, and there are no costs associated with participating in challenges. The goals of the challenges are to encourage people to stay active and improve their fitness, while also building a sense of community among Concept2 users around the world. Whether you’re a seasoned rower or new to the sport, participating in these challenges can be a fun and motivating way to stay on track with your fitness goals.
How to Participate Today!
The Concept2 online logbook is a free tool that helps you track your indoor rowing, skiing, and biking workouts, as well as participate in various challenges and competitions. To use the logbook, you’ll need access to a Concept2 indoor rower, SkiErg, or BikeErg. If you don’t own one of these machines, you can typically find them at a gym or fitness center. Once you have access to an erg, simply start rowing, skiing, or biking, and the monitor will automatically track your distance, time, and other metrics.
To log your workout in the online logbook, you’ll need to create an account on the Concept2 website. This is a simple process that involves providing some basic personal information and creating a username and password. Once you’ve created an account, you can start logging your workouts by entering the distance, time, and other details manually, or by using ErgData, a free mobile app that automatically syncs your workouts from the erg to the logbook. ErgData is available for both iOS and Android devices and is a convenient way to track your workouts on the go.
Participating in Concept2 challenges and competitions is a great way to stay motivated and track your progress over time. There are many different challenges to choose from, ranging from individual challenges like the Mud Season Madness and International Women’s Day challenges to team challenges like the World Erg Challenge. To join a challenge, simply visit the challenge page on the Concept2 website and sign up. Most challenges are free to participate in, although some may require a small entry fee.
The goals of Concept2 online logbook challenges vary depending on the challenge, but in general, they are designed to motivate and inspire erg users to stay active and work towards their fitness goals. Many challenges offer rewards or prizes for participants who complete the challenge, such as certificates, t-shirts, and other merchandise. But even if you don’t win a prize, participating in a challenge can be a fun and rewarding way to stay engaged with your workouts and connect with other erg users from around the world.
Only Real Concept2 Ergs are Allowed so No Fakes!
When shopping for a Concept2 Indoor Rower, it’s important to be aware of the potential for counterfeit or fake machines. These fake machines can be difficult to spot, as they often look very similar to the real thing, but they lack the quality and reliability of authentic Concept2 rowers.
To avoid purchasing a fake rower, it’s best to buy directly from Concept2 or from an authorized dealer. Be wary of buying from third-party sellers on websites like Amazon or eBay, as these sellers may be offering counterfeit machines. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.
When purchasing a used Concept2 Indoor Rower, it’s important to do your research and ensure that the machine is authentic. Look for the serial number on the machine and check it against the Concept2 database to verify its authenticity. If you’re unsure about a machine’s authenticity, it’s best to pass on the purchase.
In addition to the risk of missing out on community-based activities and competitions, purchasing a fake Concept2 rower also poses a safety risk. These machines may not be built to the same standards as authentic Concept2 rowers and may be more prone to mechanical failure or injury.
Overall, it’s important to be cautious when purchasing a Concept2 Indoor Rower and to always choose an authentic machine from a reputable seller. With a little research and care, you can ensure that you’re getting a quality machine that will serve you well for years to come.