FYI for anyone who needs to paddle train at home. I bought a new paddling ergometer from Vasatrainer.com a couple of months ago. Wow, it's been a lifesaver for me. I use it at least 4 days per week, plus do some med ball training and yoga for stretching. My average watts have steadily been increasing. It's the best investment I've made in a long time.
Submitted by BCPaddler on Wed, 01/16/2008 - 3:42am
A little pricey at 1800$. How does it compare to a Paddle One if you have used that before? When you adjust the resistance is the increase smooth feeling?
Where did you purchase this from....as I also live in Canada in Toronto?
Mahalo....Pitt
#1 Wed, 01/16/2008 - 5:43am
While I'm sure it's helping you out, one thing that bugs me about paddle trainers is that to get resistance you pull the paddle to you as if the paddle is moving through water.
As we advance, we learn that a solid paddle catch with good blade does not slip much, and the real technique is pulling yourself to the paddle. Even the mental image of this recruits the right muscles. Pulling something to you seems to default-recruit to your arms vs pulling yourself to it which recruits trunk , and lats. At least that what my experience is, wether it's surfing, swimming, canoeing, or surfskiing.
Not that the versa ain't cool; it is...if I had access to one I'd likely use it if I couldn't get on the water. But my idea of a paddle trainer would be something like having a stationary vertical pole that you pull yourself to, with resistance generated by varying friction against the seat-slider....
Anyway, I'm all talk and you're increasing watts.
#2 Wed, 01/16/2008 - 4:49pm
My brother use to use a bike inertube and watch T.V. and it made a difference in his canoe time.
dugout,piczo.com
#3 Wed, 01/16/2008 - 4:52pm
I've got a fleet of Paddle Machine adapters (www.paddlemachine.com). I'm trying to get enough paddlers interested in a "Winter Paddling Club" here in Penticton, Canada. They attach to a Concept II Rowing erg and turn it into a pretty decent paddle-specific workout.
I think it pretty closely mimics the muscle requirements of paddling. It's not perfect, but it's just too cold here to expect people to paddle on the lake regularly. We paddle outside every now and then so we can brag about paddling while there's ice forming on your boat and ama.
The computer on the machines allows you to keep track of lots of things: speed, distance, stroke rate, time. As a coach I can set workouts - intervals, time trials, specific distance. And people can track their progress.
Plus there's no whining about unfavourable wind or current - it's the exact same conditions all the time. I've been working on attaching chines to them, to make us faster.
#4 Thu, 01/17/2008 - 10:48am
Yep, better have chines on it if yer gonna have a paddle CRASH-B
#5 Thu, 01/17/2008 - 11:02am
I've also used rubber bands with some success, although it's more for muscle development and less for cardio. But at least you get the straight-arm resistance. It also helps core...I notice the longer I go, the more inclined I am to start bending over, so I have to remind myself to sit-up, much like in the canoe.
( Please note this post contained neither sarcasm nor anger! )
#6 Thu, 01/17/2008 - 12:58pm
darn!
#7 Thu, 01/17/2008 - 4:30pm