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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

#231

Post by jsjsbdkj »

FullNameAndy wrote: post #192
beloch wrote: post #190

Earlier quoted context omitted.

C2 really is the monster in the room. The rowing machine market is less diverse than exercise bikes, and C2 sits atop the mountain. Anyone who rows seriously (and many who don't) have used a C2 at some point. The Aviron Impact Series (an odd name for a low-impact exercise machine) rower is $2149, while a C2 Model D is $900. The Model D has been in gyms for decades. Literally, your local gym may have one that's decade…

Let me start off by saying the C2 is an amazing rower, but we thought we could improve on its design for the regular user who cares most about a fun and engaging experience. For example, the belt is industrial nylon (not plastic), the same material as seat belts. The main benefit to this is it makes the rower quieter and feels smoother. The rail is aluminum and legs and frame are made from steel, which makes it stabl…

As someone who has a Model D in my basement, this seems wildly off-base. The cheap water rowers with plastic belts I've used in hotel gyms felt way worse than the metal belt. The noise is almost exclusively from the flywheel and not the chain anyways. And stability has never been an issue - I love that the C2 is relatively light and easy to move. I've never used a C2 that felt anything but rock solid, even the ancient ones at my old gym.

I feel like a cool business model would be to make a replacement color screen for the C2s that can do more stuff. Their built-in games and programs are fun but very limited. I would love to have a Peloton experience on a 500 dollar screen I could add to my existing rower.

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

#232

Post by FullNameAndy »

1experience wrote: post #230
sacredcows wrote: post #229

Earlier quoted context omitted.

... then also do push exercises?

I know this, but does the average customer without a fitness background?

We added a variety of guided off the rower programs that include exercises like push-ups. We even do things like use the frame to let the user perform incline and decline push-ups.

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

#233

Post by FullNameAndy »

doomslice wrote: post #226

Given that you're competing with Peloton (or at least in the same general market), how do you plan to respond to the rumored Peloton Rower? https://www.pelobuddy.com/peloton-rower It's going to be hard to position yourself as the Peloton for Rowing when Peloton actually has a Peloton for Rowing.

We usually try not to position ourselves as the Peloton for rowing but it made sense here for people to quickly understand what we do.

I think Peloton adding a rower is a great thing, it is going to bring more awareness to the benefits of rowing. We differentiate ourselves from Peloton through out content. While they are best in class at instructor led workouts, we aim to be best in class at high intensity and competitive video games, races, and strength programs. There is certainly going to be some overlap.

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

#234

Post by awhitby »

Thanks for sharing. Isn't it odd though that of the four product photos on the Home Fitness page two focus on the screen (sure - your selling point) and two show non-rowing workouts. None of them really show rowing.

Not everyone can or will watch the video - you're leaving me with the takeaway that this is a rather expensive dip bench.

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

#235

Post by FullNameAndy »

awhitby wrote: post #234

Thanks for sharing. Isn't it odd though that of the four product photos on the Home Fitness page two focus on the screen (sure - your selling point) and two show non-rowing workouts. None of them really show rowing. Not everyone can or will watch the video - you're leaving me with the takeaway that this is a rather expensive dip bench.

Good observation. Thanks for the feedback!

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

#236

Post by DennisP »

malandrew wrote: post #187
DennisP wrote: post #148

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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…

> I guess a drawback is it doesn't really lend itself to a nice big screen like OP's project. I don't see why not. My RP3 uses any Android tablet. I have like a 7-8" tablet in there, but there is no reason I couldn't put a much larger tablet like an 18.4" Galaxy View.

How do you like the RP3 in general? I thought seriously about that before getting the Oartec, mainly because it was cheaper and I didn't have a strong need for portability.

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

#237

Post by mlkmt »

wmitty wrote: post #166

I made a (much less fancy) rowing machine program in 1984 (for the original Concept II). It was written in 6502 assembly language for the Apple II. It had a really nice display: - 2 boats, with oars moving timed to your pulls - scrolling scenery - stroke power graphs - odometers that rolled over like mechanical odometers. I had a piece of tinfoil taped to the wheel on the concept II. There was an aluminum box divided…

I would really like to see photos/videos of this

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

#238

Post by remir »

Question 1: would you be able to use this in a condo without annoying other co-owners? The specs page says the noise level is at 60db. Is this at HIIT level of effort?

Question 2: assuming one buys this and cancel their subscription down the line (subscription fatigue), is the software on the unit useless without it or is there still some basic funcitonnality?

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

#239

Post by DennisP »

cycomanic wrote: post #203
DennisP wrote: post #148

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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…

I have not seen any quantitative data on this, so just going of my own anecdotal evidence. I think there is a couple of aspects to this. One, beginners tend pull way too much with their arms and that tends to tire you out very quickly (your arms are pretty small muscles compared to your legs). It also requires some experience on the ergo to learn that you can make hard or soft pulls at the same stroke rate (again thi…

Ah, interesting. My back has gotten significantly stronger and that has also taken a lot of load off my arms. I've been working on "legs then back then arms" and keeping my back straight, and with a good pull from my back, my arms can almost coast. I've also been working on getting good speed with low stroke rate.

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

#240

Post by maerF0x0 »

NordicTrac RW600 for half the price and no recurring membership.

https://www.nordictrack.com/rowing-machines/rw600

Many people fail to realize it does not have to be expensive to get "fit". (north) Americans have the bad habit of buying expensive equipment long before it's required for their task / sport, opting to spend their way into an image before earning their way by doing.

To paint an analogy, people have bought >$1000 sport bicycles they ride a few times a year, effectively lowering their resistance and making the work out they need ~easier~ (physically) than it otherwise would have been.

Of course, it's not my place to dictate how people choose to spend their money, but marketing is not helping people who think they have to buy an expensive piece of equipment, as a pre-requisitite, to achieve a goal.

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