Drag Factor
There was a fairly large discussion tonight about Drag Factor for the Concept2 on Twitter tonight. I’ve done a lot of poking and prodding about it to find what works for me. In doing so, I’ve learned a lot about what it means. So I thought I would share it with the crew!
First of all. To understand drag factor (DF), you have to understand how the C2 works. It’s a flywheel that uses air resistance to simulate the effects of rowing. The slider on the flywheel adjusts the opening to allow more or less air out of the flywheel housing. (1 = little air escapes, 10 = lots of air escapes) The more air that escapes the more energy has to be put back into the flywheel to keep in moving (your wattage/stroke). This number directly correlates to a distance moved and your split. Thus DF is VERY important when planning a workout.
The basics of DF are as follows:
- New out of the box, and any well-maintained C2 should have a DF range of 100-210 (+/-10)
- DF is nearly impossible to tell by “feel”, by just pulling the handle.
- US Rowing suggests 120 as a “catch-all” starting point.
- A higher DF will require more out of your muscles (especially your back) on each stroke.
- Don’t worry about getting your DF higher, worry about what’s comfortable.
- Once you find a comfort zone (mine is between 120 and 140 depending on the distance and the goal of the workout), see how small adjustments affect you. I’ve set several personal best’s shortly after making these adjustments.
- Heart Rate (HR) and DF go hand-in-hand. At the same Stroke Rate (SR), a higher DF will result in a higher HR. Similarly, if you find a higher DF better, start with a lower SR to keep your HR in your target range.
As far as things that do and don’t affect Drag Factor:
Do:
- Air temperature (colder air is more dense, ask any car nut), so colder = DF+
- Altitude, higher altitude = less dense air = DF-
- Airflow from fans across the flywheel = DF- because the moving air will aid in keeping the flywheel moving. (2 ergs placed next to each other will have different DF is they are both rowing, than if just one is)
- Anything that traps air in the flywheel (dust, damper, C-Breeze) will reduce the drag factor, which is a good reason to keep your flywheel dust free!
Don’t:
- How hard you pull the handle doesn’t affect DF. This is the beauty of DF, it’s reliable. Find your comfort zone and stick with it.
- Foot stretchers… I know, it seems dumb, but I’ve seen people at the gym SWEAR that by adjusting the numbers on the foot stretchers it makes it harder/easier.
- Anything on the Performance monitor. There is NOTHING that the PM can do that will affect DF. No amount of button mashing (again… people at the gym should probably read this blog) will get that number to change.
Now, if you have any questions, shoot them my way @chucktherower or ask them in the comments. Now that you know a little more about the drag factor, see what works. And if you ever go to a new gym, or a race, or are rowing on any erg that isn’t your normal erg, you’ll know your preferred DF, and won’t even have to think about all these factors, you’ll just adjust it and go. 