My wife wanted an additional excercise option for crappy weather, so I just bought her a decent rowing machine for her birthday. I tried it out a little bit, too, and it seemed like it was giving my shoulders a pretty good workout. Has anyone had any experience with excercise rowing, and know if it helps keep you in shape for paddling?
Id say when you look at the dynamics of rowing it certainly helps Especially working the core which is everything for surfing, skiing or anthing for that matter. Granted it works different muscles in the arms 'cause your pulling rather than stroking.
Your wife would be stoked if you get her and yourself some touring kayaks. The paddling is closer to the motions used in swimming and surfing, plus you get brownie points for spending time with her on the water when the waves are flat. DO NOT GET A TANDEM KAYAK. I used to guide tours.... we called them DIVORCE BOATS for a reason.....
i had a tandem kayak and enjoy flipping it when my either my girlfriend is in it or my sister cuz they both get so pissed but its so funny.
I have found that the Nordic Track works well using close to the same muscle groups as paddling expecially if you mimic lifting you elbows on the forward stroke similar to a paddle or swimming stroke. Nothing beats a good paddle in a local creek on a nice sunny winter day like today though. You have to be out there when the sun is out. Paddling the kayak is cool also but still needs day light unless you are really hard core. I like the brownie points aspect of the kayak as well. Hard to beat brownie points but it only takes one OH sh__! to erase them all. Keep her happy I say.
Ive used those at the gym, but the best thing ive ever found for my paddling is just regular pullups. Do like twenty a day or more if you can.
So I guess the big question is: How does she like it? What would she like to spend time on when the weather is crappy? There are so many activities that benefit surfing even rock climbing.
