Kayaking, musings, and my mid-life fitness journey. Dave The Kayaker
Back from vacation in a big way.
But now comes the tricky part of transitioning from winter/building mode to endurance/cardio training in a kayak on water.
This year will be a more difficult transition than past years because I’ve become part of a new gym culture but I’ll put that aside for a few months as I ramp up functional training.
I recently completed the instructional video on how to build your own kayak ergometer from a Nordic Track ski machine. The plans and part list for this new, more compact design are available at the link below for $20 as I promised on Jan. 16, 2018:
And here is the final result:
Once you purchase, I’ll send you an email with links to the parts list and instructional video.
I’m the same guy who built and shared the original design online in 2013 and since then I’ve gone through several iterations of the design to get it as short and smooth as possible.
You will find other such DIY ergometers online but many of them are very long and look like they have bed frames attached to the front of the device which causes ropes to rub, require a lot of space, and are not really portable.
Don’t be fooled. Buy the plans from the original designer!
Thank you!
Dave
Be sure to allow email from dave (at} cvillepaddlers.com.
Buy the parts list and video plans now for $20 USD
Most of you know I talk about brands I love and have no sponsorship arrangements with anyone. If I ever get a free gadget for review I will disclose it. If I ever have a financial incentive to promote a product I will also let you know.
That said, I post screen shots from some of my workouts while wearing the Atlas Wearables 2 wristband.
I’ve now been working out with it for a full year and it has been an integral part of my training and progression.
I have no ties to the Atlas Wearables company but just wanted you to know this is one piece of gear that has become an invaluable tool in my training regimen.
Here is my original written review and my video review is directly below.
Buy now through my Amazon Affiliate link:
Atlas Wristband 2: Digital Trainer + Heart Rate Band
Some of you know that back in 2013 I shared a YouTube video that showed my design for a kayak ergometer made from a Nordic Track ski machine. It was the first such design, to my knowledge, that introduced rockers to the ergometer.
It actually combined elements from both my first kayak ergometer “bench” style design along with my balance trainer. All of which I also shared. You can see all three in the video below.
Since then I’ve been refining and redesigning the ergometer.
And also since then people have used my videos to build their own units and now some of these people are actually trying to sell the plans to MY design that I freely shared with the kayaking community.
I feel that’s not right. Maybe not illegal but certainly not right.
Toward the end of last year I built a new design for celebrity fitness trainer Vinnie Tortorich so he could do indoor training in his office in preparation for a 100-mile trip down Bayou LaFourche in Louisiana this Spring. I knew he had limited space in his office so I set out to make the ergometer much shorter in overall length.
I accomplished that mission by moving the flywheel under the paddler’s legs which also had the side benefit of making the feel of the device much smoother while paddling.
My “kayaker’s selfie” with Vinnie Tortorich upon delivery of his ergometer
Later I heard from Vinnie that he started to have some troubles with the forward rollers. Vinnie is a legendary ultra athlete and generally an animal when it comes to training so I knew he would put wear and tear on the unit like it has never seen before.
Vinnie Tortorich with Serena Scott Thomas sporting DTK hats
So after mulling that over in my brain for a while, I went back into my garage over the weekend with a new design for the forward rollers in mind, and built two more kayak ergometers with subtle variations in the design between the two to see which is better and/or easier to build. These happened to be the 5th and 6th units I’ve ever built. (Well, honestly, I probably built and rebuilt the first two at least 10 times each until I was happy with them!) I’ve only made a few of these for close paddling friends.
These two new units have square legs so mere mortals can paddle them, but this design allows rockers to be easily attached and detached as desired.
The result of my weekend in the garage. 1 unit complete and the other one 90% complete
I spent hours in the garage not only building the two units but also recording video of each build so I can edit and produce a “how to” video and then make it available for sale since so many people have reached out to me over the years to inquire about either purchasing a unit or buying the instructions from me.
I’ve greatly simplified the design and now use only hardware and parts that are stock and can be bought off-the-shelf at most hardware stores. The build is much, much simpler than the first few so I feel now the design is at a point where I can effectively communicate how to build your own and you can build one from those instructions rather easily.
It is also the first design I feel is so unique and innovative in the way its built that I’m not so willing to freely share it because there is a little “secret sauce” that I’ve learned through years of trial and error.
Now for the hard part.
With hours and hours of video you can imagine it will take me a few weeks to edit, possibly re-shoot steps that weren’t clear, and then produce a final video.
When the “How to build it” video is ready I will sell it for $20 since that is the price most people have told me is reasonable and that they’d expect to pay. I believe that is a fair price based on the number of hours I’ve spent building and refining the design to make it as compact as possible, easy to build, and fun to paddle.
I’m also accepting donations and to anyone who donates at least $5 before Feb. 1, 2018, I will make the video available to them as soon as it is ready. After that initial group the price will go up to $20.
Let me know what you think and please let me know if you would like to buy one of these units (Central mid-Atlantic of the U.S. only.)
Happy paddling!
Dave
PS – The second one is now complete (1-24-18) and it will be THE design since it is easier to build and by far the best design I’ve ever devised.
Update March 2, 2018:
The “How to build” video is now ready for purchase!
During an overnight trip this week I was fortunate enough to stay at an Even Hotel, which is part of the IHG Hotels chain (think: Holiday Inn.) When I travel to this particular town I try to stay in this particular hotel because they are oriented toward fitness and have an excellent fitness center so I can keep up with my exercise schedule.
This week the hotel managed to blow me away.
When I checked in I discovered they upgraded me to a suite and when I walked into the room not only did it have a small exercise area right in the room, as is usual, but there was also an exercise bike/spinner in the room right next to the desk.
I was able to return some phone calls while spinning 12.5 miles over an hour right there in the room and then headed down to the fitness center for my usual workout.
This is a hotel brand that gets it.
In a time when many hotels are just now trying to upgrade their fitness facilities and add more than just a cardio machine or two, Even Hotels is way ahead of the curve.
It was a wonderful surprise!
Photos I took during my recent stay at an Even Hotel
The results of my paddling and gym training for 2017. I didn’t paddle nearly as much as I wanted to the second half of the year due to a drought so I stepped up the volume in the gym.
On to 2018.
And boy was it a big one.
I had a couple days off from work and I planned a recovery week starting tomorrow so I hit it hard during the lead-up this past week.
Just over 191,000 lbs. total volume this week. I would not recommend this type of training to anyone.
I’m now ready to enjoy the holidays and give every muscle and joint in my body time to rest and recover.
My shoulders will be in the best shape ever come paddling season in the Spring.
I was out of the country this past week and due to jet lag with disrupted sleep patterns, long work hours, and my own stupidity, I was only able to hit a gym twice last week. Last Sunday and last Tuesday.
I flew back from overseas yesterday so today my typical Massive Friday Night Workout (#MFNW) had to become a Massive Sunday Night Workout (MSNW.)
Massive Sunday Night Workout recorded on the Atlas Wristband
Dinner was a grain-free “Fat Head” pizza featuring bacon and provolone cheese
I did a lot of total volume so I had a lot of time to clear my head and reflect on my life and my upcoming training over the next few months.
Typically I undulate between lifting heavy at low volume and then lighter but higher volume over the winter months and then try to back down and cut some fat and go into dietary ketosis in time for kayak racing season in April.
I’ve decided to do things differently this year.
I’m going No Beer No Wine (NBNW) effective immediately along with going very strict on my No Sugars, No Grains (#NSNG) lifestyle. I will stay as strict as I can through most of kayak racing season, my 100-miler with Vinnie Tortorich down the Bayou LaFourche in Louisiana at a date yet to be determined, probably late April or early May, and the James River Rundown some time in June.
Bayou Lafourche, LA
I know there will be some weeks where this will be difficult if not impossible over the holidays and with some scheduled business meetings, so I’ll allow for these brief setbacks but get right back on the horse immediately afterward.
I’ll get in as much paddling time on the water and on my indoor trainer as possible and let my gym time fill in the gaps rather than making gym time the centerpiece. I also want to get back on the bike and work in some more cardio training. I’ll let my body judge what my gym training will look like, but I anticipate fewer workouts with moderate weights and reps with a focus on legs and core. In short, this is going to be an extended period of leaning out and cardio conditioning.
I also want to get back in touch with my guitar as it has taken a back seat for the past year or so and has collected too much dust. That had always been an important part of my mental health and I need to bring it back into my life for some balance.
I also hope to get back in the gym later this week to record a new episode of “Exercises for Kayakers” for my YouTube channel. The next exercise will be a modified bench press.
I’ll keep you informed as I try this new style of training and living.
Changes are in order.
We’re having a drought here in Central Virginia so I have not done much paddling during a time of year where I typically love being on the water and logging many of my annual kayaking miles.
So in the absence of much to talk about in terms of my kayaking and on-water adventures, let me explain several of my recent posts involving fitness tracking technology.
I started searching for a fitness and gym tracker a few years ago in order to log and track my training both in the gym and on the water. Being able to track paddle cadence on the water and progress in the gym would be very useful.
I started out with the Amiigo device, then moved to the Xiaomi Amazfit Arc followed shortly thereafter by the Atlas Wearables Wristband 2.
As a result of reviewing those units in YouTube videos and on this blog, two other companies reached out to me and sent me devices to evaluate in exchange for fair and honest reviews. Those devices were the Actofit Wearables tracker and the MBHB Sport Smart Bracelet.
I have also researched countless other devices to find the right one.
So far not a single device meets all my needs.
Many of them do not count paddle strokes as “steps”, some are not reliably waterproof, and some do not have the battery life to last for an all-day outing or ultra-marathon kayak trip or race. Some let you train new movements or exercises while others do not.
The one device I am truly in love with is the Atlas Wearables wristband for in the gym. It recognizes my exercises, lets me train new ones and allows me to enter the amount of weight on the bar or edit the number of reps right on the wristband during my workouts. It has completely replaced my clipboard with paper exercise log in the gym and the online dashboard lets me review my training progress and areas of focus over time. It is a great training tool for the gym, but is not intended for all-day wear.
I am looking forward to seeing what Atlas Wearables comes out with next. This is the one company that seems to be truly innovating and delivering on their promises and their customer service and support is awesome.
Aside from the Atlas device, there are many, many other fitness trackers out there that all do the same basic things and maybe have one or two unique features such as blood pressure measurements that set them apart. There is no lack of affordable trackers with basic functionality if that is what you are looking for.
But, again, I have not yet found one device that meets all my needs.
I have also been approached by a few companies doing market research asking me what I’m looking for in a fitness tracker so I thought I’d share what I’m looking for in a next generation device.
My ideal next-generation fitness tracker would be/have:
I just don’t understand why this device is so elusive. There are trackers already that do all of these things, but not one single one that does them all.
If you find it or know of this elusive beast, please let me know.
I finally got a good night’s sleep and then had the gym all to myself this evening after work.
Great bookends to the day, heart rate from 50 to 168.
And by the way, the Actofit Wearables fitness tracker that died when it got condensation inside dried out and came back to life.
I like it.
