Thanks.
@sushiritto, I love rowing. Used to do single sculls every day when I lived near the Charles and not infrequently when I was living in Sausalito. Probably my favorite form of exercise. But, I think it will be many months before I could get clearance to do a rowing machine after my surgery, whereas I can start a stationary bike a couple of weeks after surgery.
@Data10, good question as to why I don’t use the stationary bike we have. I think it is reasonably high quality. I find indoor cycling (and indoor rowing) pretty boring. In addition, I have not put in clips – it has toe clips that are not comfortable. I could install my pedals in the bike (actually ShawWife is much better at that than I am). That might help. I tried watching TV but don’t find I exercises as hard. I used to try to read the Economist many years ago when I went to the gym. Now the Economist has an audio version. That might work.
In contrast, I like cycling outdoors and have a lot less trouble motivating myself to do it. ShawWife and I usually do it together and it is much easier to get myself going with her, but I will usually go on my own if she is not around. I thought maybe the online program would be more like doing it with others.
I have noticed a very active market on Facebook Marketplace for used pelotons (price about $400 to $500), which no doubt means many people buy them and don’t use them.
@Data10, my problems are lower back and until the surgery, the problem is with extension of the back so rowing could be a problem if the form is bad (mine is good). My surgeon discouraged rowing (pre-surgery) as he thought I could damage a disk – again, I think that is more likely if your form is bad, but he does not know my form. Pre-surgery, cycling has been great for my back as the bending stretches it out.
Post-surgery and full recovery, I suspect rowing will be good and I will have to see what cycling position works well. I have looked into e-bikes a bit (rented three) as I have read that people are more likely to bike if they have an e-bike. But I won’t buy anything until after the recovery from surgery to see what works for me.