Regular People V Olympic Rower | Brutal Challenge

We wanted to see if regular gym users could BEAT Sir Steve Redgrave for a 500m BLAST!
If they can, they WIN cash!
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#rowing #fitnessmotivation #marklewis

[@MarkLewisfitness]

www.cardiodolphin.com for all your merch needs #exercisewithaporpoise 😂

[@Some-Guy-]

The shopping site doesn't like my United States address :(

[@MarkLewisfitness]

@@Some-Guy- uk only I’m afraid. It’s a non profit exercise so can’t afford to ship overseas as it would cost us too much :(

[@michaelromero89]

dang! I promised I'd buy some, but US based. Can't wait for the next time I'm in London.

[@MAPMinorAttractedPurge]

@@MarkLewisfitnessi just started rowing today and looked videos on youtubes. I think i can beat the 500M in 1:25. I've been cycling for over a year now. I will say its hard a hell to row.

[@samwharton3533]

I rowed with Nick for a short time at Leeds rowing club. I recognised him in the thumbnail and knew he’d absolutely smash it. Absolute beast

[@ARCANEmateCLAN]

Looks like he lives in Reading now, glad to see my town hold the record.

[@silvermediastudio]

Looked Nick Riding up after watching this... what an absolute unit. Dude is on another level. And I love that he did the 24hr Deadlift record to raise money for a suicide prevention charity. It would have been cool to see his peak and average Wattage/power output from that row. Probably massive. He'd probably do well with hill-climb cycling as well.

[@JaySeaGC]

Leeds rowing club baby! Greetings from Las Vegas

[@thatgamingguy3648]

I currently row for the juniors at Leeds Rowing club

[@Nayz13]

As an ex rower, many people don’t realise how much of a beast the ergo can be, it’s pretty evil 😂

[@ithinkthereforeitalk935]

What's your result then, that's the only thing that really matters! Did you beat it or Mark left you in the dust?

[@Nayz13]

@@ithinkthereforeitalk935 to be honest, it’s been 15 years so I couldn’t remember (surf boat rower/ life saver) but I remember the pain of sitting on ergo’s and lung busting races. Maybe I’ll have to join a gym and give it a go now.

[@zoltansarkany]

Especially without proper technique.

[@supernoodles908]

​@@ithinkthereforeitalk935yeah as a rower, I can pretty comfortably beat that. Definitely can't keep that pace for a 2k lol

[@paulmorris7836]

@@supernoodles908 Agree but the 500m sprint was a pretty pointless challenge. I think I did it once for a laugh flat out, and 1 set of 6x500m with 30sec off sprint training (which is surprisingly harder than it seems on paper)

[@thickweb]

"You warmed up for four seconds, that's a cardio workout for a Gymshark athlete!"

[@MarkLewisfitness]

basically an ironman if you hit 10 secs 😂

[@mahjohnit]

Nothing screams "Athlete" until you don the GymShark gear LOL!

[@heinzketchup4558]

@@MarkLewisfitnessexcept for Fergus Crawley☝🏻

[@alexanderking7220]

Very funny....

[@batthew8997]

As a rower sat on my sofa watching this. My HR and adrenaline levels immediately spiked as soon as I saw the splits and the countdown haha

[@TNTflames]

Lmao the last 2k I ever did was the most painful experience of my life

[@walkerknights5696]

Lmao not wrong mate. As a rower also sat on my couch, my fit bit thought I had started my own 2k test for a moment there.

[@saltrocklamp199]

The weak legs at the end of Mark's 500m, I could feel it through my screen

[@davidmusk3669]

Proud to say my late father (one of the most humble and softly spoken blokes) had a 2 km PB of 6:40... at the age of 62! He used to race at the British Indoor champs and Redgrave and Pinsent would put on a bit of an exhibition race t the end (with Pinsent ending up with his usual faint in the last stroke 😂). Dad would turn a horrid shade of grey in the last 200m but absolutely loved his ergo.

[@PietyFailed]

That is absolutely crazy, what a beast

[@steyn1263]

It was on this very challenge against 18 year olds a year ago I got a herniated disc which needed surgery later on...for the record I won...as a 48 year old and clocked a 1:25 on the 500m. Short term win and still in recovery

[@kevinmcd396]

Worth it though. That's pub-lore story fodder for years yet surely?

[@brantnuttall]

that IS impressive. well done! hope you get better soon.

[@hikerJohn]

Good work, you may have already had a slipped disk, I've had one for 50 years but haven't been hospitalized for it yet but if I did what you did I probably would. That's how I got it in the first place (showing off my youthful strength)

[@Tsnor150]

Understand. Very BAD challenge. Lots of rowing form is to get lower back in a safe position. These guys had no training. What will they do next -- have random people do heavy squats without knowing safe form?

[@clubbizarre]

Not to say it isn't entirely true, but sure you herniated the disc on THAT CHALLENGE ALONE and not during your whole life and this was the straw that broke the literal back.

[@connorspies]

Hey Mark, I was really inspired to dedicate more time to fitness after watching one of your videos in 2022. Thanks so much for the inspiration, much love from the USA.

[@oneworldfamily]

5:48 will always blow my mind. My fastest ever was 6:13 and it nearly killed me. Even the thought of going sub 6:10 seems too far fetched. However, I take my hat off to anyone who sincerely attempts the 2k test. Just doing it is no joke. As for the people who attempted Mark's test - they could definitely add many valuable metres to their distance if they'd been taught proper technique and rating. Great work! Finally, I hate to say it but it looked like that boat crash at the end of the vid involved my old rowing club, City of Cambridge (blue, yellow and claret colours), during the Bumps! 😄

[@toomuch9762]

Honestly a sub 7:00 2k is pretty impressive. Sub 6:30 is In the elite range

[@TurtleSauceGaming]

So my college never did "test pieces" in the traditional 2k sense. We did weekly 5ks in the fall and weekly 1500s in the spring. So I just sat down a hair out of practice (i had my last race 2 weeks ago and had 2 busy weeks when I got back home) and pulled 6:49.3 for my first 2k (rate 30). For reference, my best 1500 was rate 30 at a split of 1:38.2... I hate that I don't have time to keep my conditioning up...

[@andrewhussey2002]

Rowing was our school sport and I still like a bit of Concept 2. The handles going up and down like a tart's knickers freaks me out. 🙄

[@turbokeene]

As a 56 year old Cornish pilot gig rower, I’m stoked that I can still beat that erg challenge. To be fair though, it takes a lot of time on an erg to get efficient and also endurance fit. I’m not surprised many of the fit gym guys failed, as it’s not something they particularly train for. It’s all about the repetition and building the engine. Great video 👍

[@jduncanhall]

Great video, Mark. I’ve watched a couple of your rowing videos, now, and appreciated the split approach. I’m re-training after retiring from hockey due to proximal hamstring tendonopathy (I’m also 52 years old, which doesn’t help 😂), and had decided to take up rowing, starting indoors, and then moving, eventually, outdoors. Your videos are great, and have been a real inspiration - massive thanks and respect for the hard work!

[@bennson13]

There are interesting rowing techniques in this video 😂

[@BRECKDOG]

This Sun I am going for a 5k pb (after totally giving up on running ). You are the reason , you planted the seed.

[@MarkLewisfitness]

Glad to help 😂

[@jtb52]

Get to it tomorrow

[@BRECKDOG]

I did it ! 28min 5k to 25 now. Age 50 6 4 16 st

[@PavolCeluch]

Love these challenges. Average person has no concept of how fast the top performers are until they try it out themselves.

[@rogerhagen305]

I think that the average person do understand that top performing rowers are out of there league, why wouldnt they?

[@jagaloon216]

To be fair some of these guy were pretty close off the cuff. Not too shabby at all.

[@shakeit995]

@@jagaloon216 for 500 metres yeah, they'd be dead (as would I) trying to hold that pace for a 2k

[@arthurosborne2445]

Love the interactions Mark and Jen with the others ,who all appear to be above average great content 👍🏻

[@Pocklock950]

Brilliant video Mark! Love this as a concept, also like how you backed up it first then asked others to follow!

[@hedgehog1965uk]

Who remembers that documentary filmed in the lead up to Steve Redgrave's final Olympics, showing them training on the Concept 2 rowers? They were literally PASSING OUT from exhaustion and falling off the rower, and I remember thinking you can't possibly work any harder than that.

[@mdstreet94]

Yes Mark! Gotta get that duck pond podium in there, always makes me smile. Another brilliantly entertaining video. Looks like some real interesting characters train at your local gym!

[@MarkLewisfitness]

Nice mix of people! And me 😂

[@Clarkarific]

I love this. Spent a decade enjoying the C2 and at 6’7”, 230lbs, I only wish I’d found this sport when I was younger. Thanks for spreading the rowing love!

[@scoobtoober2975]

Mark time to do that "above average guy does coaching". Subtle insults and backhanded compliments the whole time. Love your stuff. It does inspire me to keep going and be above average in things i'm good at. Rollerblading and snow skiing. Maybe endurance but I need to go some comps. I said i wasn't going to do any. But you said do it, so i think i will. I'm my start of running just a year ago. I said no races as they cost money. I'll just do my own timed runs. I think apes have a hierarchy for a reason. We do and it's just on the social medias.

[@rafal2124]

British sense of humour at it's finest! Loved it! Cheers for involving people into your challenges. Good work mate!

[@DonLee1980]

technique is a big issue. you're supposed to use your legs to do the bulk of the power and then follow through with your arms at the end. most people who don't row use their arms before their legs are even straight, and end up not only with shorter strokes, but wasted energy, as straight arms don't require energy to pull. By overlapping those phases you are almost like tapping your brakes while pressing the accelerator.

[@Daringtons]

I used to row for under 16's double scull. Now in my 40's and currently awaiting a water rower to arrive, life caught up with me and i got way to far overweight (115kg 182cm) i cant wait to get back into it even if its just doing it on my kitchen floor

[@Danolsen93]

Honestly, my favorite part is listening to you get back at the rowing technique experts from the comments before they get their chance. It's funny as hell. On an unrelated note, nice video!

[@MarkLewisfitness]

you gotta sort those boys out quick 😂

[@freburt2772]

Dang mark. I haven't watched your videos in a few months tbh, but been around since 4.5k followers. You've blown up! Congrats and great video.

[@colinswan786]

Looks like you have had a bit of a serious upgrade on your gym - good mix of people and some real quality individuals clearly. Good video as always.

[@knaussgy]

Watched since the beginning and this made me subscribe at the full membership, great content from a nearly 50yr old.

[@ShawnIsBatman]

I am loving these 'crowd challenge' videos, very well-done!

[@hayden9944]

Out of all ur videos- these ones are the best! Love these

[@brantnuttall]

I'm no rower (I'm a cyclist). Last year I rowed for the first time and did it in 1:42 and for someone who was 53, I thought it was quite good.

[@SuperDrewsboy]

Top class content as always Mark, a challenge that looks a lot easier than it really is ! well done.

[@Casperr123]

Great video, these types of challenges are really entertaining.

[@chrisplatten2293]

Back when I worked somewhere with a gym (20 years or so) the Concept 2 was the unloved bit of kit you could always get on. That and a StairMaster. I used to alternate between the two. Being a distance guy, I would aim for 5K at under 2 minutes per 500m. After a while, I could do that in 1:50. I don't think I got under 1:40 for a sprint finish and doubt I would have been much under that for a 500m sprint. 1:24 is way fast. Well done.

[@Gameboob]

Makes me want to hit the rower next time I hit the gym. Kinda tired of the bike and can't run due to Achilles. Thanks for the inspiration!

[@patbriggsmbr]

Love watching these, they’re great 👍

[@stocktonnash]

While at home during Covid, I rowed 1,000,000m. Took me 84hrs over 83 days. My best 500m was only 1:30. I can confirm, this is hard!

[@silvermediastudio]

You stayed locked in your home because the government told you XD Impressive rowing through, 12000m/day for nearly three months.

[@rmyrie5963]

Did you loose any weight or gain any muscle. And do you still do rowing.

[@hulkthedane7542]

...that duck pond podium NEVER gets old 👍👍👍👍..... Entertained, again. 👍🌞👍.

[@SwindonRunner]

One of the few cardio machines where 500m all out feels like it could literally make my heart explode

[@BernhardKohli]

The echo bike is "fun" too 😅 go for a 1 minute max cal ...🤢

[@rubricscube_]

A 500m dash can do that to ya too, but the pain in your legs will distract you :)

[@rheno03]

Truly Great content!!! ❤ More like this plzzzz

[@BRECKDOG]

In the 90s my work at the time (Lombard) sponsored the Redgrave Olympic 4 . They had a celebration event after Sydney 2000 which featured a a little 90 sec ergo test competition for staff. James Cracknell made it and set a distance way 500m. I wasnt cardio fit then but managed to win it (Id rowed in my teens and have a frame like yours) probably 490m. I just remember it feeling really easy for the first 30 , the middle 30 getting harder and the oblivion pain of 60 secs to 90 secs. You and Karen showed some human suffering but the 2 lads that seemed barely out of breath and stood up quickly 😮😮😮.

[@richardanderton1589]

I took up dragon bost racing in my late 40s in the UAE and loved it and ended up paddling with a Filipino crew who are amazing at the sport. We had 20 paddling in the boat and the memories of the 2k races is making me sweat just thinking about. Such a hard distance to do flat out and in time with the rest of the crew. Great video this.

[@chriswhitlock4153]

Simple, tough, whole body...Great work mate👊

[@clonmult]

This is a fun challenge - quite a few of those taking part would have seen improvements purely from technique, which is rarely corrected (I've often seen PTs showing bad technique as well). The 500m is the only distance I've never taken seriously - seeing that chap doing that pace after the deadlifts correlates nicely with my belief that a strong deadlift will usually result in a fast pace over a shorter distance rowing (fella should try the 100m, which Shaw *doesn't* hold the record in, despite the claims that he did once hold it - current record is a barely believable 1:02 average!!!)

[@D.Miller]

I took a lot from the previous video and have started including 2k row splits as a way to track progression in fitness. Along way off the times seen here but gotta start somewhere

[@topsysdad1]

Loved this, great challenge and great participants

[@aly-tek7190]

I loved watching this. We have a challenge board at our Gym for this. I was currently leading but have been knock of the top step with someone doing a 1:28. I'm 120Kg 32%bf and can do 500m in 1:32.3 so watching these fitter people and a different techniques makes me feel if I can get my body weight under 100Kg I should smash this. Thanks for sharing :)

[@MegaBabygal1]

I so love your videos Mark. Goodness! Funny, entertaining and oddly educational hehe

[@steviechat]

Proper rowing at the start, well done. Good effort from everyone.

[@deanbarton4441]

Love the rowing machine, usually it's part of the warm up and feel like am dieing sub 8min/ 2000m😁 at 6'6 its feels one of the few machine that fits (is gym equipment getting smaller?). Unfortunaly a few discs went at easter and took out a nerve when they flounced off but physio says its ok to start training again. Challange accepted, it may take a while you old before photo could be me.

[@Jupiter-Ace]

Great video and loving the positivity at the end. Yep, scooping chickens is a real warm up.

[@markbyrum4743]

Outstanding video! Quite the challenge!

[@robertfwmccombe]

One of your funniest videos I've watched! 😂 You were right about the comments its only been 35 minutes and theres 3 comments on form 😅

[@chrisc475]

A lot of it is to do with technique. Non rowers use their arms (rather than their legs) too much.

[@Barnett666]

Love this vid. At my peak my best was 1:27 for 500m. But that was before I was diagnosed with asthma. Died on my arse at the time. Wish I knew what I could have done then!

[@joelooney1498]

Super fun and easy going video. Impressive to see the ability of the best of the best in relation to everyday gym goers, which apparently include world record holders and other olympic athletes as well. what a gym 😂

[@kasperoertoft]

Rowing is HARD. We have a danish champ called Eskild Ebbesen and he is a machine in all endurance sports. The carryover from rowing to other sports is great

[@kopraljono3923]

He’s a freak. His breathing rate when he set the world record would be considered hyperventilating for almost anyone else. How he maintained that is beyond me.

[@FlippedSociety]

0:10 - letting go of handle.....that would cost you 30 burpees on my watch. Geez.

[@zimmejoc]

I would love to see your heart rate data there next to distance and time. You make it look easy, until it is over and then it is obvious how hard you worked to go that distance.

[@robertparry8725]

Semi-regular indoor rower here, and I managed 1:36.3 back in 2020, aged 51, and then nearly threw up ! 100m I could do at 1:25 pace. Very impressive by everyone there, pacing the 500 right is tough

[@Mogwaithegreat]

Used to love the rower back in my gymbro days. Always at the end of the visit though as the physical and mental distress of trying to beat your best 2K time always just ends you. Never known a feeling like it, lactic acid building up everywhere, your lungs bursting...

[@minibigs5259]

10:21 Mark goes all Gordon Ramsey!! 😂😂

[@benruegg]

Excellent content! Thank you.

[@steveb9658]

Lovely stuff Mark 👌 and a warm welcome back to my favourite Crossfit meme 😂

[@haggisxyzzy]

Another awesome video and challenge, and I've never rowed and wuld just humiliate myself on that. However my girlfriend is taking me to the gym tomorrow evening for the first time, so I might give it a go and see what I have left after my hills session at lunchtime. Look forward to the next one.

[@MarkLewisfitness]

Go for it! Don't be sick 😂

[@TheMegaMrMe]

Thank you for explaining the concept of speed.😂😂

[@gracey62uk]

Gave this a go this morning, was thinking I would smash it and was nowhere near it. Really pushed and was getting 1:44 at best 😅 much harder than it looks

[@Bob_Betty]

i'll try this tomorrow for a laugh, and fail but a great warm up:)

[@DarenC]

Love it! 20 years ago I managed a 1:33.0 500m and a low pull of 1:22. No chance I could do either these days! 🤣

[@jackmuscat-byrne1852]

As a rower, watching their form, kills me.

[@TurtleSauceGaming]

ikr. Just stumbled on this video. Is he a rower? or just a sports guy in general? That kneel afterwards makes my legs fucking hurt too. Paddle it out, or at least lay on your back and air bicycle. Do SOMETHING!

[@craigburrow8403]

Mark if you wanted to get your own rowing quicker you could consider moving your hands away faster at the end of your stroke and leaning forward before you break your legs and move forward. PBS 6m07 and 16m22 for 5k.... a very long time ago and we are pretty much the same size and shape - well.. in your previous life - Love your channel - keep it up I love watching your videos - I think you are awesome (in a manly appropriate way)

[@MarkLewisfitness]

My rowing is epic and will never change 😂

[@viscountpalmerston]

Not sure why but the explosion effects made me laugh! 😂

[@MarkLewisfitness]

good - took me ages 😂

[@chrismelton4418]

Mad to think Redgrave did it while having diabetes and colitis at the same time aswell. Absolute hero and an inspiration. Nick was an absolute beast on there too

[@barneykennett9282]

Duck pond comment, never gets old...🤣🤣.

[@strengthfrank2916]

Great video, loved to see Mark an Jenna interact with the gym folk, but what a missed opportunity! How in the world did you not reference 'Over the Top' when you commented on George´s backwards base cap, Mark?!

[@victoria7105]

Loved this👍👍

[@crankgreenwatts]

06:47 fastest ever did and like others killed me 🥵 was a competitive canoeist so some type of aerobic background but darn rowing is a real leveler for sure .. would like to get a Concept 2 for home gym next year 🤞 Love the logo and merch 👊🐬

[@beyond8981]

You are awesome - my favourite video of your's yet

[@davidculliton2615]

That was brilliant to watch thanks 😂😂

[@cliffclermont]

Loved that vid

[@MattWatson-qx5th]

What level do you have the rowing machine at? Is it 10 resistance?

[@seanallen9544]

You've done it again .im off to the gym to have a go on the rower 😂

[@andrewgrenville5330]

Having already stood upon the infamous duck pond podium, I will have to give this a go too.

[@lukecambridge5947]

Almost lost faith in a duckpond podium appearance there, so was overjoyed when we got it :D

[@matlockmeat]

Any tips for staying on the seat better? I never actually fall off but i have to slow my rythem down because I'm half off it.

[@EPICLYFATALERROR]

Cool and very entertaining and wholesome video. Good fight!

[@gf2172]

what level or setting did you use on the fan side...1 thru 10 ?

[@michieldekker1721]

In my opinion one off the nicest challenges so far 🥳 tried it and failed (452m) but it got me a new goal. Thanks and keep up the good work 💪🏻 regards Michiel Dekker (Netherlands)

[@MarkLewisfitness]

Nice work!

[@Kizzercrate]

The duck pond gets me every time.

[@jamesg1501]

I did 1min21.9 500m approx 7 yrs ago when i was bulking and 111kg at 6ft3, im 101kg now and leaner/fitter, i used all upper body/ back to do it....being big was a great help

[@TroyHardingLit]

Love the quality of the average 'gym bro' rocking up to the plate in that place!

[@CwazyWabbits]

Curious to try this at some point, what resistance do you set the rower to?

[@SimonFaeDenny]

Excellent video, I'm interested to find out what my distance is tomorrow morning after watching that 😂

[@DC-lu5qs]

outstanding. they all did better than I would :)

[@BernhardKohli]

Loved this video! My best is 1:29 and every second is an eternity 😅

[@tempsman]

Great challenge. Really highlights how impressive elite 2k times are.

[@bikerda1]

"Come on, PULL THAT THING!"

[@philippayne6655]

About 30 years ago, I got roped into a rowing challenge. I was reasonably fit at the time but I had only used the rowing machine a couple of times. I managed 7:11 for the 2000 M but after I didn't have enough energy left to undo the foot straps 🤣

[@SimonOutdoors]

30 years and it’s still rapid. But amazing how two people in your gym were able to do it over the 500!

[@BRECKDOG]

Do swimming. Do an fing triathalon Mark. We know you think you hate it & won't but the journey would be hilarious and your big frame would help you be good (as it will for rowing ).

[@MarkLewisfitness]

dont like swimming

[@JohnnyLukyoutube]

Mark you should consider the British Indoor Champs in Birmingham in Dec. I’ll help with filming if you do! :)

[@MarkLewisfitness]

I'm on TRT so don't do tested events.