Active Aging

Happy Birthday to Don McCluskey, who turns 100 years old on February 17, 2021!

We’re always excited to share the stories of our centenarians who demonstrate that rowing can be a lifelong sport. Don credits his longevity to a diet of red wine, Brussel sprouts and carrots, along with his daily exercise on the Concept2 RowErg. Don lives in an assisted living facility, where he continues to work out daily during COVID-19.

“During the pandemic I’ve been rowing every single day for at least 20-30 minutes, and it’s kept me healthy and sane during the lockdown. It’s one of the best exercises you can do when you’re stuck indoors. I have it set up by a window, and I don’t listen to audio while I’m rowing. It’s such a pleasure to row that I just look out the window and get my best thinking done while rowing on my Concept2.” Continue Reading ›

Here’s a 6-week training plan to get you ready for the SkiErg World Sprints, November 8-11, 2018. We’ve been posting this training program for the last few years now—it’s a great plan, so we’re posting it again! This program requires just two workouts per week on the Concept2 SkiErg, preferably not on back-to-back days, and assumes that you are getting exercise several other days per week—whether rowing, biking, running or another choice. Continue Reading ›

Our new January Revolutions Challenge was created to give your fitness a boost in the New Year. Continue Reading ›

The 500 meter row. A staple for many; an all-out fly and die effort. For the fast it’s over quickly yet feels like it takes forever when done at max effort. Many, such as Sam Loch, have tried to chase down a two-decade old world record and come close, but it still sits out there beckoning challengers to try it. Others excel in their age group and dominate many different distances, such as Anne Bourlioux, who owns 35 world records.

Some people battle records for months; others break their own records, almost daily. Shawn Baker has done just that: he’s broken the 500 meter record for heavyweight men, age 50–59, over ten times in 2017. The previous record holders? Shawn Baker himself. Shawn likes to push to that dark mental place often, way more often than this writer does. A brutal 500 meters isn’t something that often crosses my mind as a piece I’d like to do every day.

What pushes someone to want to do such a challenging piece over and over? Continue Reading ›