Got A Fitness Regime?

I have been using steel clubs for a couple of months now. I was looking for some kettlebell exercises for my shoulders and found a nice channel on Youtube - Mark Wildman (not affiliated with him in any way, I just really like his down to earth attitude and approach on teaching). I started looking at some of his videos on club training and decided to buy some. I can honestly say that it hasa been the best training/workout decision I have ever made. I have been going to the gym for many years and consider myself in quite good shape doing lots of push ups, deadlifts, squats etc. but clubs is challenging on a whole different level as the movements are way more complex.

I live in Denmark so the selection here is quite limited. I think only one or two places (that also has good reviews) offer heavy steel clubs and maces but if you are in bigger countries there are definitely more of a choice.

The key is, I think, to just take it slow. I have watched and rewatched a lot of Mark's videos, paused them while I did the exercise to see, if I did it right, and repeated. This is not about lifting heavy, this is about understanding and learning the movement patterns and progressing slowly. You have to develop an insane amount of respect for the clubs not only because it really hurts to get hit by one, but also because the clubs being so heavy requires you to do the movements correctly in order not to destroy your joints.

It's a challenge but it is the most fun working out I have every tried. I am also starting to really see results on my arms, especially forearm but also biceps and triceps, my shoulders and core strength.

I can't recommend it enough. It requires some patience but it is rewarding 😀

I started with a 4 kg club and learned the basic exercises with that. Not I have 4, 6 and 8 kg clubs and a 4 kg macebell. I could go heavier than 8 kg for the two handed exercises but I am taking it slow.

Start with the simple exercises and get used to how the clubs feel. Two months in the most complex movement for me is the mill and Will be for some time.

As a modern person I use the metric system 😀

Now that I’m in my own place again I’m looking for a respectable rowing machine. I found they helped the most in physical rehab. Anyone have some good names I can seek out. I been doing the gym thing but honestly want to cut back to the machines I used for hours.

My research is about 2 years old but lead me to purchase a Rogue Echo rower.

The rogue was new on the market at the time and the Concept 2 was essentially the gold standard for most commercial gyms. Maybe still is.

What gave the Rogue the edge in my book was the fact that it can fold up if you have limited space and in folded configuration it has very sturdy wheels to help move it (like pushing a large dolly). If you have no need for that and plan to have it out all the time then it’s probably incremental conveniences that the Rogue offers, such as quick release foot straps and a media device holder on top of the workout info screen where you could mount a smartphone (or I hang a tablet from covering the workout info screen).

I’ve used the C2 at gyms when away from home and I can say that the Rogue has the same level of build quality and sturdiness. I do think rouge built it for both residential and commercial applications, so there’s no compromise in how it’s engineered for the foldabiltiy or mobility aspects. I read that it was designed in partnership with the CrossFit games, which rogue sponsors, because they needed something study that could be set up at CrossFit competitions and easily moved around for different events. The large wheels are designed for rolling on softer surfaces like turf and other athletic fields where CrossFit hosts competitions.

Bottom line, I don’t think you can go wrong with Rogue or C2. If the extra features on the rogue sound appealing then all the better, but if not something you need then I’d go with which one you can get the better deal on.

Beyond these two rowers, other rowers I looked at just had superfluous bells and whistles or you’re paying for a subscription for streaming workout videos, like what peloton does. I didn’t need any of that, I just needed solid meat and potatoes rower plus foldability.

All my barbell stuff is Rogue, with the exception of my beloved vintage York split sleeve barbell. I haven't found a better value proposition in strength training and powerlifting gear.

I have a Concept 2 Rower and concur that it's well worth the money. I haven't tried any of the Rogue rowers, but I expect they will be quality products.