[Rowing Machine] 2019: Week 16 {234.5} “Calculating Rowing Prices”

I think we procrastinate when an activity is too difficult to imagine how to start. I’ve been procrastinating on deciding my fitness lifestyle for the better part of the past month, if not multiple months, and it’s been a mild irritant that’s just been permeating everything I do, but in minor ways. I can only express my stress so much through words. When others tell me about their gym memberships, I experience something weird: jealousy.

I must row but I can’t.

My current rower, the Concept2 Model B, is too loud for an apartment. My backup rower squeaks even louder. Now for a series of thoughts to help me decide if I want a short-term gym membership or a long-term water rower:

A 3-month gym membership is $200.
That’s $2.22 per day to row.

A water rower might cost around $1000.
That would take 450 days to equal $2.22 per day to row.

How often did I row at home before?
Twice daily for 10 minutes.

Let’s assume my current rower wasn’t free.

I rowed roughly daily for two years, let’s say.

That was about $2.75 per day.

If we factor in twice daily, it’s a better value.

What are my major concerns?

1. The rower will still be noisy.

To exist is to produce noise.

– Quiet hours: I will have less autonomy over when I row.

– But, I will have more autonomy to row, on my anti-social days.

Maybe reach out to my neighbors to ask about the sound?

2. The rower will not last for two years.

How long is the warranty?

3. I won’t like the new rower.

Can I test the rower anywhere?

Can I ask for opinions in-person?

Research opinions online?

I might like the new rower better.

4. In one year, I could rent a new place.

I could sell the new rower.

– The used price loss would be less than the amount of use per set.

5. I can’t afford a new rower or long-term gym membership.

There are payment plans for rowers.

I can afford a 3-month plan.

6. I won’t like the gym.

I went to the YMCA while on vacation for a week and I liked it.

– The drive will be inconvenient.

Too bad.

– The drive will demotivate me.

Now we’re approaching something.

Here’s the ultimate question:

How many days per week would I row at the apartment-mansion versus the gym?

Apartment-mansion: 6 to 7 days

Gym: 4 to 5 days

The burn rates of both, before, assumed I’d be rowing daily.

Let’s say I only go to the gym 50 times out of a 90-day membership.

I’d pay $4 dollars per rowing set.

Let’s say 70 out of 90 days. That’s closer to our under $3 dollar average.

Let’s ask the penultimate question:

What advantages are there to an annexed gym versus a home gym?

Socializing with others? That doesn’t happen often at gyms when I’m around strangers.

Getting outside my comfort zone? I strive for this, but my fitness is a personal examination of my own strengths and weaknesses, which should be a safe zone.

Answer: quieter rower > gym membership

Endtable:
Quotes: None.
Sources: My fitness experiences.
– This week’s weight: 234.5
Last week’s weight: 232.5
– Difference: Those two pounds could have been the water I drank on Saturday night to compensate for not drinking enough water throughout Saturday, but I was also not active much at all throughout the week.
Inspirations: A conversation with a friend that has an $80-per month climbing gym membership encouraged me to do some more research into what my hang-ups were related to acting on getting back into rowing. Money is evil, after all..
Related: Past weekly column entries.
Pictures: My old rower with a $20 bill to represent the cost factors.
Written On: April 14th [32 minutes]
Last Edited: First draft; final draft on the Internet.
My big goal is writing. My most important goal is writing "The Story." All other goals should work toward that central goal. My proudest moment is the most recent time I overcame some fear, which should have been today. I'm a better zombie than I was yesterday. I'm not better than you and you're not better than me. Let's strive to be better every day.