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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

#31

Post by FullNameAndy »

AWildC182 wrote: post #13

Long time high level rower here. Why make a new rowing machine when Concept 2 is the calibration standard all athletes use and has a relatively open USB interface? For those not in the know, rowing machines all have different calibrations. C2 is the standard because they're very consistent across machines and are by far the best made allowing for many thousands of hours of use without failures. Most experienced rower…

Great question and ADominic answered it well. The C2 is an amazing rower, I have one too. We don't target the hard core rower. And a huge part of our high intensity experience is the electronically controlled resistance that adds up to 100+ lbs of resistance. Our rower automatically adjusts the resistance depending on the workout and your goals.

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

#33

Post by FullNameAndy »

AWildC182 wrote: post #28
ADominic wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

also a former rower - I don't think we're the target market. If you've never touched an erg, it might not really matter whether you start on a C2 or not. And I'd guess controlling the hardware also gives them more control over the entire user experience + their own costs.

I see this as an insanely dangerous game. IME most non-rowers won't touch an erg without significant instruction/encouragement as they're technique dependent. Any that do will quickly figure out from anyone who has rowed that C2 is the standard and everything else on the market is flaming garbage. Add to this that I could recreate this business using the C2 API in a couple weeks and suddenly have a market of everyone…

You make a good point re: the C2 market. I mentioned up top that 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. Thanks for the feedback.

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

#34

Post by FullNameAndy »

ADominic wrote: post #32

Cool product, congrats on the early success. My question: If the goal is HIIT or shorter workouts, why a rowing machine? Have you considered a design that incorporates pushing exercises as well like Concept2's Dyno - https://www.concept2.com/service/dyno ?

That's a really interesting looking machine - thanks for sharing. We chose the rower because it is one of the best full body workout machines and is something most people are somewhat familiar with thanks to the Olympics, CrossFit, Orange Theory, etc.

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

#35

Post by AWildC182 »

FullNameAndy wrote: post #33
AWildC182 wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I see this as an insanely dangerous game. IME most non-rowers won't touch an erg without significant instruction/encouragement as they're technique dependent. Any that do will quickly figure out from anyone who has rowed that C2 is the standard and everything else on the market is flaming garbage. Add to this that I could recreate this business using the C2 API in a couple weeks and suddenly have a market of everyone…

You make a good point re: the C2 market. I mentioned up top that 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. Thanks for the feedback.

Edited my comment when I saw this. This is exceedingly dangerous. Ask any rower that's worked with people on C2 machines. Everyone will instinctively throw the damper to setting 10, then throw their back due to bad posture.

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

#36

Post by FullNameAndy »

shmatt wrote: post #19

Apple is currently the only company in the fitness world that can afford to force hardware and software coupling. You are not Apple. Peloton, which you compare yourself to, allows me to use my Life Fitness bike with their platform, and they even charge me about 70% less than they charge their own bike buyers. Hopefully this will soon sink in, there is a huge market of people who already invested thousands in their wo…

You make some good points. 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 rower.

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

#37

Post by FullNameAndy »

mawise wrote: post #26

> I feel like sometimes this pisses the hardcore rowers off but I’m not a rower, I’m a tech guy. I also think fitness is important and have been working out all of my adult life. Some other comments have mentioned the Concept 2 and how it's the standard. It sounds like you're actually targeting non-rowers who want a Peloton-like experience. (Sort of like how Peloton doesn't really target the cycling community). Is th…

Exactly. I really should have stated this above. You explained it perfectly.

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

#39

Post by ADominic »

AWildC182 wrote: post #28
ADominic wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

also a former rower - I don't think we're the target market. If you've never touched an erg, it might not really matter whether you start on a C2 or not. And I'd guess controlling the hardware also gives them more control over the entire user experience + their own costs.

I see this as an insanely dangerous game. IME most non-rowers won't touch an erg without significant instruction/encouragement as they're technique dependent. Any that do will quickly figure out from anyone who has rowed that C2 is the standard and everything else on the market is flaming garbage. Add to this that I could recreate this business using the C2 API in a couple weeks and suddenly have a market of everyone…

I tend to agree, everyone knows how to ride a bike and learning to row without injuring yourself, even on a machine, takes time. I wonder what % of people with rowing machines at home, c2 or otherwise, are current/former rowers vs crossfit, regular gym goers, etc

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

#40

Post by elliekelly »

mawise wrote: post #26

> I feel like sometimes this pisses the hardcore rowers off but I’m not a rower, I’m a tech guy. I also think fitness is important and have been working out all of my adult life. Some other comments have mentioned the Concept 2 and how it's the standard. It sounds like you're actually targeting non-rowers who want a Peloton-like experience. (Sort of like how Peloton doesn't really target the cycling community). Is th…

I'm not OP but I suspect I'm in their target demographic. Orangetheory Fitness doesn't use the Concept2 and no one cares. I've never once heard anyone at Orangetheory complain that the machine wasn't a Concept2.

I don't think the former rowers in this thread complaining about the machine are at all reflective of the public at large.

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