Thing #12 Rowing Machine

Well, my final activity was in the vein of where I started -- a machine I haven't used at the gym.

I didn't like it.

Brent the Trainer and Spin Class Instructor kindly gave me some tips about form before I started -- don't hunch, use my core muscles (stomach, back) to keep me in good form, pull my shoulder blades back and down. Good advice, and I think my form was pretty good for that half hour I was on the machine.

The good stuff: The machine has some thoughtful design features -- adjustable foot holds so I can tighten the strap across the proper part of my foot, and flexible foot holds so when I row my foot is well-supported. And it is a cardio activity that uses the major muscle groups of the upper rather than the lower body. And the Jackass Factor was fairly low -- it wasn't too hard to figure out what I was supposed to do, and there weren't a lot of surprising and complicated dashboard issues.

The hard stuff: But Lord, did I not like the rowing machine. It was nearly impossible to get and keep my heart rate where I wanted it to be, and I was bored silly. More than once I looked longingly at the treadmill, for crying out loud. When the treadmill looks exciting, you know you're bored. Once again the I-pod saved the day and I made it through (though another downside is that I needed to use two hands the whole time, making it hard to skip the songs I didn't want to hear). My back was sore from yesterday's workout (props to Sally The Excellent Trainer) and the form I needed to keep kept reminding me how tired my back was already.

I'll do it again, though. There's a good reason I try everything twice. Maybe I'll love it next time!