May 21, 2019
Uncategorized
Concept2 Slides: The Complete Guide
Looking for the next step in rowing? Or just want to experience something different? Here is the Dark Horse complete guide to the Concept2 slides and why this could be your next big purchase for that home gym.
In 1981, the brothers Dick and Pete Dreissigacker had the idea of making an indoor rowing machine (the Model A). It had a moving seat and a flywheel which used air for resistance, and the ultimate goal was to mimic the movement of the boats that were used on water. As time went by the Concept2 got closer and closer to this idea until the year 2000 when Concept2 created the Slide, which enables a user to convert from a static rower to a dynamic rower by adding erg slides.
This conversion to dynamic rowing gives users a more “on the water” feel and more closely resembles the mechanics of OTW rowing. Not only will it help you train better for rowing on water but it is fast to setup, easy to learn, and fun! Users can now add a wider variety of training options to their workouts and also pair up with teammates to train timing and power application.
The Concept2 rower slides are a great addition to any Concept2 erg, especially when they cost a small fraction of what it would be to purchase a brand new dynamic rower.
What Are Concept2 Slides?
Concept2 slides are an accessory you can buy for any model of Concept2 rowing machines. They enable you to recreate a more “on the water” feel by having the rowing machine move underneath you while rowing, much like a boat moves under the rower while on water.
Having an indoor rower move underneath you allows for a quicker catch and higher stroke rate because you are only moving the mass of the rowing machine and not your body mass.
One of the great things about the Concept2 slides is that you can also connect two or more rowing machines together to practice rowing as a team. This allows team members to practice timing, rhythm, sync, power application, etc..
On a more technical side, the slides are actually a steel base with two tracks and a wheeled carriage. There is a light bungee cord that helps keep the carriage centered on the steel base. All a person has to do is put the front and rear legs of the Concept2 Rower on the slides and they are ready to row. The slides do take up a large area and it is recommended to have an 11′ x 4′ space to “float” a rower.
Why Use Concept2 Rower Slides?
Using the Concept2 Rower slides is not very popular for users who are just looking to exercise with a rowing machine. However, for people looking to change up their training and add a new challenge, the slides are a great way to accomplish this. It can also make rowing a lot more fun!
People training for “on the water” rowing also like to add slides to their Concept2 because it will more closely mimic the feeling of rowing on water. The slides provide a user with the ability to see a quicker catch, higher stroke rate, and similar power application to “on the water” rowing.
Again, this is due to moving the mass of the rowing machine underneath the user and not moving the mass of the actual user.
Being able to reach a higher stroke rate can help add variation to your workouts such as higher intensity training and interval workouts. It also helps on water rowers to train at more familiar stroke rates seen in a boat.
The Concept2 slides are also great training tools for team rowing. Just connect two or more rowing machines and users will be able to practice rowing in sync while matching their teammates power application.
Dynamic Rowing (Concept2 slides) vs. Static Rowing
There are many differences between dynamic rowing and static rowing.
Static rowing is seen on the traditional erg where a user moves their body-weight up and down the seat rail with the rowing machine itself remaining stationary.
Dynamic rowing is where the user remains relatively still and the machine itself moves back and forth. Popular dynamic rowing machines are the RP3 RowPerfect, Concept2 Dynamic, and WaterRower Slider Dynamic. You can also convert your static Concept2 into a dynamic rower with the rowing slides.
I think one cool thing about the Concept2 slides is that you can first buy a Concept2 rower and then buy the slides if you want to switch to dynamic. You can then switch back and forth between static and dynamic instead of having to choose just one.
Where to Find Concept2 Slides for Sale?
The main place to find the Concept2 erg slides is right on the Concept2 website. However, you can sometimes find used Concept2 slides on Ebay or Craigslist. It is definitely worth taking a look because you can sometimes find them brand new for a big discount.
On a more technical side, the slides are actually a steel base with two tracks and a wheeled carriage. There is a light bungee cord that helps keep the carriage centered on the steel base. All a person has to do is put the front and rear legs of the Concept2 Rower on the slides and they are ready to row.
The slides do take up a large area and it is recommended to have an 11′ x 4′ space to “float” a rower
If you have any questions or experiences on the Concept2 slides please leave them in the comments section below!
Yours in fitness, education and sliding,
Coach John
Photo by Josh Calabrese on Unsplash
2 Comments
Hi,
Do you have any information about the impact of rowerg on slides on the power.
Moving less weigth, does that result in a better performance (longer distance, higher speed) ?
In general, using rowerg slides can alter the feel of the rowing stroke and can potentially increase performance. The slides allow the rower to mimic the dynamics of on-water rowing more closely by reducing the body mass the rower has to move during the recovery phase. This could potentially lead to higher speeds and longer distances as less energy is spent on moving the rower’s body weight. However, the actual impact on performance can vary widely depending on the individual rower’s technique and physical condition.