Rowing and Hip Resurfacing

[bothdone]

Another HA!!

I also throw in the fractions, along with the percentages.  Anything to break down the time done and the time to do.  The joys of Concept 2 rowing...... :D

I used to do the same sort of things in my running days.   It helps pass the time...

I've given up worrying about me when it comes to things like this.    ::)

Ed

[sdunn4]

How soon after your resurfacing were you cleared to start rowing on the Concept2 Rower?  I usually row a lot more in the winter- typically 100K meters per month, and then drop off a lot in the summer when it is nice enough to swim in the lake and ride the bike!

Steve (scheduled for resurface with Dr. Gross on 10/24/11)

[FlbrkMike]

sdunn4,

Sorry I didn't see your question before!!  My doctor told me it was OK to start after a six weeks, I think, though I didn't really get started again for a couple of months.  He doesn't impose a 90 degree flexion restriction like some do so it's mainly a matter of having the strength to do it.  He likes to get everybody on a stationary bike immediately if they have access, but with the operated leg just along for the ride, to build ROM.  My therapist didn't like the idea of me getting on the erg for a couple of months, though.  I started out at about 12 weeks, once or twice a week for only 5 or 10 minutes with the damper set at 1.  In a few weeks I was doing 20 to 30 minutes at a time.  I've built up my workouts until now I'm on the erg 4 or 5 times a week doing 12K-15K every workout.

Yesterday I beat my previous 2K time by 14.6 seconds. I had set 7:40 as a target and was able to do 7:39.9. I still have a long way to go but the times are getting more respectable. I think right now my improvement is about equal parts getting stronger and having a feel for what my limits are.

My next goal is a 20 minute 5K.

I'm in a team competition on the Concept 2 website to row as many meters as possible between September 15 and October 15.  My goal is 200K, and I'm now at 79K.  I've done about 164K since the beginning of September.  I'm afraid I've become somewhat of a fanatic.

[sdunn4]

Mike,

Sounds like you are really going for it!  My best month ever was a little over 300K during one of the "Holiday Challenges"- Thanksgiving to Christmas.  That's a great way to control your weight during the holidays.  I don't have times as fast as yours; although I have done a 10K in around 42 minutes.  I like to set the damper at 5 or 6 and really get some resistance.  I'll ask Dr. Gross how he feels about rowing following the 6-week restricted period!  Thanks for the feedback.

Steve

[FlbrkMike]

Steve,

I just did my fastest 10K this evening at 42:34.3.  I think it's only the third or fourth time I've done the entire 10K without any rest.  The thought of finding my fastest possible pace for such a long distance is pretty daunting at this point.  I have my damper set at 7 right now.

I bought a small TV last weekend, which I set up in my garage next to the C2.  It really helps...I was watching Oklahoma play Missouri and the 10K went by pretty quickly.  I finished the entire thing during the first quarter.

I'm pretty sure that Dr. Gross has a 90 degree flexion restriction for 6 weeks or so, so you probably won't be able to row before that.  After 6 weeks I imagine you'll be OK.  Just take it easy at first.

Mike

[FlbrkMike]

Hey Steve, did you ever ask Dr. Gross about getting back on your rower?  It looks like you're about 4 weeks out now and probably chomping a the bit.

I'm up to about 675,000 meters since the end of July, averaging about 50K per week.  I've slowed down a bit since the end of the "fall challenge" but still doing 4 to 5 sessions a week.  I had to take about a week off when my PM2 (the monitor) bit the big one after about 14 years and I had to order a new PM3.

I had set a goal of 1 million meters by the new year but would now have to keep up a 55K/week average.  I may have to wait until mid January for my million meter party.

[sdunn4]

Mike,

You read my mind!!  I am at 4 weeks as of yesterday and I am ready for a good cardio workout; the walking is great but doesn't satisfy.  I was just looking at the rower and my Tri bike on the trainer today- neither of those are endorsed by Dr. Gross prior to 6 weeks.  I am under a 20-minute pace for the mile walks I m doing, and not using a cane or limping at all.  I didn't ask Dr. Gross (forgot!) about how soon I can row following the 6-week restriction.  I plan to ask via e-mail in the next 2 weeks, though.  How long did you wait after your surgery to start back rowing?  It looks like you're putting in some serious meters!

Steve

[John11]

Mike,
I'm also on the "Free Spirits" team. Yesterday I started my first C2 Holiday Challenge since my surgeries.

JW

[sdunn4]

John,

I'm jealous!  I have put on a few pounds since the surgery- appetite is still pretty good but walking alone does not control my weight!  I always enjoyed the Holiday Challenge to keep sane during the holidays and to control my weight during the "big eating" period of the year.  Good luck in reaching the 200K goal!  By the way, why did you have to get a revision to the THR so soon after the BHR was performed?

Steve

[John11]

Steve,
200K is a dream, the 100K is a more realistic goal for this year. I don't enjoy rowing as much as I used to perhaps because I just don't do as much anymore.
As far as my revision, it's pretty much covered in this and other threads;

http://surfacehippy.info/hiptalk/index.php?topic=960.msg12005#msg12005


JW

[sdunn4]

Another milestone!  I used my Concept 2 Rower this morning for 25 minutes, and it felt great.  This is the first time I've used it since just before my surgery on October 24th.  I am at 6 weeks and 2 days out from surgery, and I was careful not to go too much past 90 degrees when rowing.  It was nice to have both legs in tight; no splaying out to the side with my right (operated) leg like before.  I only managed about 4700 meters (quite slow), but it felt great!

I am also working on the Fluid Trainer with my bike; that too feels awesome!

Steve

[OtterDriver]

Hello Steve! 

I've been following this thread/topic with interest as I have a Concept 2 in the garage as well.  My procedure was six days prior to yours, so we're sort of in the same "boat" (no pun intended!).  I dusted the machine off and assembled the halves a few days ago, but felt consistent clunkiness in my operated hip as I tried some strokes.  Did you experience anything along those lines?  I was being very conservative...

Thanks, Bruce

[FlbrkMike]

Hey John,

It's great to see a Free Spirits teammate here.  How long have you been a FS?  I just discovered it in August after I started rowing again.  I find that all the C2 challenges and the FS meterboard really help me to keep motivated.  I have slacked off somewhat, though, since the Fall challenge.  My erg is in the garage and, even here in SoCal, it's getting kind of cold at night.

Steve and Bruce, just take it really slowly at first.  I didn't even get on the rower until about 12 weeks, though I probably waited longer than I needed to.  I started out at bout 5 minutes the first couple of times at a very slow pace (maybe 2:20?) just to get the feel of it and increase my ROM.  You'll find that you get more comfortable and are able to build up speed and distance pretty quickly.

I'm still not very fast (by some peoples' standards anyway) but I'm putting in 10K to 15K workouts 3 or 4 times a week.  It's the only exercise I get besides walking a mile and a half before work.

[sdunn4]

Otter- I did not feel any clunkiness or anything- all moving parts actually felt great (I was surprised!).  I had to force myself not to extend as I let the handle in; I really felt I could have extended more.  Are you trying to extend too far?  I am trying to alternate workouts on my bike trainer with the rower and long days at work (not a physically demanding job, but lots of walking and lots and lots of stairs; working in a production capacity in a Paper Mill).

Mike- Thanks for the advice!  I am constantly having to make myself hold back.  I think 2:20 is a good pace; you're not slow at all!  I know the competitions have people way, way faster than me.  I have gotten over worrying about what others do and try to compete with myself only (except for the perpetual competitions with my older brother!).  For my first row yesterday I was really slow, and 25 minutes felt good.  However, when I laid down to bed after a 12-hour work day last night I knew I probably overdid it!

Thanks for the support,

Steve

[sdunn4]

I will be at 7 weeks tomorrow, and I got 3 short rows on the C2 Rower in this week, a little faster pace each time.  No records!  Today I was able to easily row 4972 meters in 25:00, not quite a 2:30 pace.  I realize this is super slow, but I don't care!!  Being 52 years old and having a new hip frees the soul!!  It just feels great to do things with no pain; ROM gets a little better each day.  I plan to take it easy for another month anyway, and of course, no impact activities for the next 4 months or so.

Life is good!

Steve

[OtterDriver]

Steve,

I've got three years on you and hope to be able to row a little without the "slop" or clunk or whatever it is soon.  Walking is going well!  A little too icy for the bicycle at this point, but we'll be gaining sunlight after the 21st of the month!

Keep up the good progress!

Mike, 

Thanks for the advice as well!

Bruce

[pblythswood]

Hi Steve and all on this thread, seems like us cyclists and rowers can't wait to get going again, so I'd like to add my experiences on both a spin cycle and rower as it may help.

I'm 55 and pre-op trained 4-5 times a week, spin row and weights.

I'm now 14 months out and was very lucky that I could spin/row up until the day before my op. My aim post op as most of you seem to want to was to get going again as soon as possible but without causing any damage to the new hip.

So got back on a spin bike after 22 days and on the rower a few days after, but on both took it very very slowly, on the spin bike no gears or holding the bars at first just letting the legs spin and gradually stretching more at each session. On the rower for the first few didn't even use the handle, just let the legs move gently until I felt comfortable to extend and use the handle. I have to say though from my experience whatever you do like this will help your recovery immensely however fast or slow you do it. It worked so well for me I told my physio to get some spin bikes and rowers !!

Regards
Paul

[hernanu]

The first thing the PT on outpatient therapy did was to put me on a spin bike (no resistance) for ten minutes. The hardest part of it was sitting on the seat (uncomfortable at first). Eventually, after the first procedure, the only hard part was my unoperated leg, which complained loudly and often because the other was flying.

[sdunn4]

Thanks for the great input!

Just had a thought- if you are limited to not lifting more than 50 pounds, for example, does the rower exert enough force during the leg extension to equal 50 pounds?  I am only "going easy", but the tendency is to "ramp it up", and everything feels good.  Any thoughts out there?

Steve

[FlbrkMike]

Thanks for the great input!

Just had a thought- if you are limited to not lifting more than 50 pounds, for example, does the rower exert enough force during the leg extension to equal 50 pounds?  I am only "going easy", but the tendency is to "ramp it up", and everything feels good.  Any thoughts out there?

Steve

Good question.  I suppose it depends on the damper setting and how hard you're pushing off on the extension.  But to actually make it equivalent to lifting 50 lb (evenly distributed on both legs) the force on each leg would have to equal half your body weight plus 25 lb.  Also, the act of "lifting" 50 lb would imply an even greater force than merely holding 50 lb in a stationary position.  Too complicated for me.