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Launch HN: Aviron (YC W21) – High-Intensity Peloton for Rowing

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Re: Launch HN: Aviron (YC W21) – High-Intensity Peloton for Rowing

#141

Post by FullNameAndy »

abarringer wrote: post #123

I have health issues and I try to correlate cause and effect. I use a rower several times a day, it sits next to my desk. One thing I would love is an API that enables download of key stats like watts, times, etc. I value raw data over slick apps. I have my own data sources for heart rate, glucose and a few other things. It would be great to integrate this into my home brew system. Dexcom has a decent API for instanc…

I agree. One of the biggest challenges we have is integrating to other apps and products. Even getting the Apple or Garmin watch to integrate is difficult because of their limited/closed ecosystem.

Re: Launch HN: Aviron (YC W21) – High-Intensity Peloton for Rowing

#142

Post by freerobby »

Rooster61 wrote: post #87

C2 owner here, and an ADHD sufferer as well. I've always utterly hated working out throughout my life as sitting on a machine or out running without a goal other than "work out to maintain health" bores me out of my mind. I keep it bearable right now by catching up on TV (the little bit of time I have to actually watch anything these days), but gamification I think would get me even more into it. I'd probably be inte…

Strong +1 to every part of this... except that I don't even have ADHD and still find exercise mind-numbingly boring. :)

Like you, Andy, and many others, I am not a "rower" but I do use a rower at home to stay in shape with minimal time spent doing so.

I also use a C2 and am hesitant to move off of it. I use a few connected rowing apps, mostly Asensei and Kinomap. They don't deliver a Peloton level of experience but they are good enough to stay motivated and there is no vendor lock-in on the hardware side, which is important to me as this is a nascent industry and I don't believe that all entrants will be winners.

While I have no interest whatsoever in buying another hardware platform, I would gladly pay $40/mo for an amazing software platform for the C2.

Re: Launch HN: Aviron (YC W21) – High-Intensity Peloton for Rowing

#143

Post by Lightbody »

FullNameAndy wrote: post #139
Lightbody wrote: post #136

I'm really glad to see this product. I'm also more tech than fitness, but I try to get in a quick row or treadmill run every day. In my case, I purchased a Concept 2 a couple years ago, not because I'm a rowing enthusiast but because "best rowing machine" seemed to point to it and it cost less than my treadmill =P I found a mount online for the Concept 2 that can attach my iPad and the last few weeks I've been using…

Thanks! I agree that a C2 + Ipad setup might be all that's needed for a lot of people to stay motivated. For me, I needed more.

Oh, to be clear... I don't think my setup is ideal. I just don't think I could justify the additional purchase of your product today... maybe in a few years.

But if you decided to change up your business model and offer the service such that I could run it in my iPad + C2, I am pretty sure you'd have me as a monthly subscriber. The programs you offer are much more inline with what I'm looking for.

Congratulations on the success you've had so far. Good luck!

Re: Launch HN: Aviron (YC W21) – High-Intensity Peloton for Rowing

#144

Post by FullNameAndy »

boringg wrote: post #130

Sounds cool. Can I sum it up as Aviron is the peloton of the community and Hydrow is the Zwift? The difference being Zwift caters to people who are already vested and more hardcore in some ways where as peloton is the general public who want to try and get a quick good workout? Also - if you are following the peloton model - how are you going to build out the celebrity following for your athletes? I think that is one…

I would reverse the two. Hydrow is closer to peloton. They both have instructor led classes. Our content is focused around shorter, intense workouts, in the form of video games, live races, and strength programs. Neither Hydrow or Aviron cater to the avid rower.

Our team is much smaller than you think and so celebrity following isn't on the roadmap yet - but hopefully one day!

We are slightly less expensive than Peloton now, but I wouldn't say we are their substitute. They are best in class when it comes to live instructors. We want to be best in class when it comes to high intensity video games, races, and other similar content.

Re: Launch HN: Aviron (YC W21) – High-Intensity Peloton for Rowing

#147

Post by FullNameAndy »

jrudolph wrote: post #140
kitd wrote: post #99

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The other challenge I is related to hardware. The reason why everyone is talking about the C2s is that pretty much every other machine is crap. The forces pulling on these machines are substantive and concept managed to make a machine that held up over time, unlike the others. So I hope you guys made those things sturdy enough. Robustness isn't the only reason C2s are considered the best. Unlike all the cheap brands,…

Certainly more accurate than most other ergs (that's how we rowers call them). However, it's not perfect. Nothing is ever perfect when it comes to measuring real world biomechanics. I did competitive rowing in my youth + I've spent a couple years building rowing technology, sensors + telemetry, so I can maybe offer a few interesting insights about their issues. Don't get me wrong, C2 ergs are great craftsmanship, bui…

Thanks for taking the time to educate myself and the community. Like you said, I hope we are able to introduce more people to this awesome exercise and sport + help people achieve their fitness goals.

Re: Launch HN: Aviron (YC W21) – High-Intensity Peloton for Rowing

#148

Post by DennisP »

cycomanic wrote: post #63

Great idea! I used to be a competitive rower. When I was working at a gym during my studies I was actually talking with the managers of running some rowing classes (similar to spinning). I think the main challenge with rowing machines (and the reason why we didn't do rowing classes), is that for beginners there is essentially only hard or off, i.e. it is difficult to adjust to different exhaustion levels. That leads…

Why is it hard or off as a beginner? I had the same issue at first but now I can ease off and do a straight 30 minutes. I assumed it was mental but it sounds like it's technique.

Fwiw I have the Oartec DX, and it's very solidly built.

On dynamic rowers like this, the seat stays pretty much in one place and it's mainly the footpad that moves. Supposedly it puts less stress on the lower back and knees, and more closely simulates rowing on the water, so some elite rowing teams use them.

I don't know about all that but I have a knee that gives me trouble sometimes, and with the Oartec I can put that foot on the ground and row with the other leg.

https://oartec.com/

https://www.rp3rowing.com/products/

Concept2 makes one now too:

https://www.concept2.com/indoor-rowers/dynamic

(I guess a drawback is it doesn't really lend itself to a nice big screen like OP's project.)

Re: Launch HN: Aviron (YC W21) – High-Intensity Peloton for Rowing

#149

Post by freerobby »

FullNameAndy wrote: post #120
OliverJones wrote: post #111

Get your stuff working on Concept IIs as well as your own ergometers. Just do it. Seriously. If your subscription business depends on selling your customers your own ergometer first, you'll have a very steep barrier between you and success. Recent models of the C2 monitor have connectivity features. There's an opportunity for remote-community features for indoor rowing like what Zwift offers for biking. And you won't…

A huge part of our experience is the electronically controlled resistance that adds up to 100+ lbs of force. Our high-intensity games and strength content, which differentiates us, requires this and the reason why we opted to build our own rower instead of just an app or working with any existing machines.

I can see why the ECR piece is a handy input for the games, but having tried every connected rowing app under the sun, I think what is missing in this space is compelling content and compelling software on the same platform. As a fellow tech guy/non-rower who just wants to stay in shape, it's hard for me to see how success here hinges on ECR rather than the software and content. But I also understand you've already made a large bet on this, and I hope it pays off for you.

Re: Launch HN: Aviron (YC W21) – High-Intensity Peloton for Rowing

#150

Post by FullNameAndy »

Lightbody wrote: post #143
FullNameAndy wrote: post #139

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thanks! I agree that a C2 + Ipad setup might be all that's needed for a lot of people to stay motivated. For me, I needed more.

Oh, to be clear... I don't think my setup is ideal. I just don't think I could justify the additional purchase of your product today ... maybe in a few years. But if you decided to change up your business model and offer the service such that I could run it in my iPad + C2, I am pretty sure you'd have me as a monthly subscriber. The programs you offer are much more inline with what I'm looking for. Congratulations on…

Thank you!
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