A little while ago, Sue asked if we could set up the treadmill that was gathering dust, as she wanted to do a bit of exercise. I set it up in the home cinema and connected it to the big, sixty five inch, TV via Zwift.
Personally, I have used Zwift for walking / running in the past (reaching level nine) and as the running / walking aspect of Zwift is free, I set up an account for Sue.
Other stuff got in the way and Sue has yet to clock up any mileage on the tread.
Some time later, I was thinking about what Sue used to do at the gym (going back a few years) and I remembered that she used to love the rowing machine.
A bit of a google and a spell on Amazon and I had ordered a basic home rowing machine. It’s not a top end model (the ‘industry standard’ Concept 2 costs just under a grand) but it has bluetooth so can connect to virtual rowing apps.
The go-to app for indoor rowing is called EXR (pronounced ex-er) and is the Zwift of rowing. I downloaded this to the Apple TV in the cinema – all we needed now was a rowing machine.
The machine arrived on Saturday and was duly unpacked and assembled.
Sue was keen to have a crack so with me watching on (technical support) we paired the machine to the app and selecting an ambitious 4.4km route set off to row around a virtual Boston.
During the first outing, we noticed that the rower would (auto) switch off after four minutes of inactivity.
We also discovered that the velcro foot straps are really awkward to do up and release. I’ve have ordered a different sort of strap to replace these but they’re not due until next week).
The row went well with tech. support nipping out to fetch water and a fan.
Sue completed the 4.4km course in twenty two minutes and her body told her that she had done some exercise – even more so the day after !
Just like Zwift, there are plenty of stats to mull over and I’ve even created a Strava account for Sue to store her rows (and walks, perhaps).
Sunday morning and it was my turn to have a go.
I have had no experience on a rowing machine so selected the beginners’ training program in the app and set off to row two and a half kilometres. Instead of Boston, I chose the Thames at Henley.
I had watched a few YouTube videos and I tried to use the correct technique as I set off. I think that I managed the form but was just about able to achieve the speed that the workout required. Hopefully the speed will come with practice.
I finished the workout and after a little fiddling with the straps had extricated myself from the machine.
I had an odd feeling in my legs as I’d used some (a lot?) of muscles in a new way.
I had done my row early as I had a group ride pencilled in for midday with the Wobble Cycle Club.
The ride went alright but the legs felt a bit more tired than usual afterwards.
As the Apple TV only allows two Bluetooth connections (and one of those is reserved for the remote) it’s impossible to connect the rower and a heart rate monitor (HRM) at the same time.
When I did my row, I used the EXR app on my iPhone and was able to connect both the rower and my HRM at the same time. I then mirrored the phone screen to the big TV.
An added bonus is that I could used the iPhone’s touchscreen to access menus etc. instead of the really crappy Apple TV remote.
We have taken the plunge and subscribed to EXR, picking their family plan. For a reduced fee, we can have three separate accounts so have one for Sue, one for me and a guest account for anyone else who fancies a go.
