Competitors hit some awesome Rowing WODs at the Beantown Throwdown yesterday including FGB!

Rowing WOD 8/13:

Ratio Shifts

3 x 10min w/ 3min Rest

Row each 10min as follows

4min @ 2k + 20

1min @ 2k + 16 (Keeping Same Stroke Rating)

4min @ 2k + 18

1min @ 2k + 14 (Keeping Same Stroke Rating)

When competing in a Rowing WOD where multiple exercises, like the Olympic lifts, thrusters, pull ups, or burpees, are combined with rowing, it helps to be able to control your effort level.  In order to control your effort level on the erg but remain efficient and get the most out of each stroke, you need to learn ratio.  Controlling ratio allows you to row at the same stroke rating but vary how much effort or pressure you put out. 

For instance, if you’re the first athlete on a team to row a relay that involves rowing and clean and jerks you’ll want to go out hard for the first 7-10 strokes but then settle by doing a ratio shift to give yourself time to breathe and prepare to hop off and lift heavy.  If you do a proper ratio shift you can keep your split from jumping up while getting more time on the recovery to breathe.

Today’s Rowing WOD is all about perfecting the ratio shift needed to settle into a piece but remain efficient and keep the power on.  The intensity of today’s wod is more of a steady state pressure, but you want to be precise with your split and stroke rating.  Just because it may seem light doesn’t mean you should allow your split to wander all over the place.  For the first 4min hold a pace that is 20 split seconds faster than your best 2k split.  It’s only acceptable to row at splits of +/-1 second off that pace.  Note what stroke rating is required to hold that pace and then keep that stroke rating as you do a ratio shift to row a pace of 2k+16 for the next minute.  After the first five minutes you can let the stroke rating change as you settle into a pace of 2k+18 for 4min.  Then finish with that same stroke rating as you row the last minute at 2k+14.  You’ll repeat this process for a total of 3 ten minute pieces.  Each piece try to dial in that ratio shift a little better.

So, how do you actually do a ratio shift?  Well to maintain the same stroke rating but pull a lower split you’ll need to put more pressure into the handle but slow down the recovery.  A proper ratio shift is done by pushing more with the legs, maintaining quick/smooth hands through the finish, and slowing down the seat as you slide forward to take the next stroke.  Remember you never want to pause at the finish or the catch.  The handle should continuously move but you can vary its speed.  That is the key to developing ratio.  With good ratio you will take more time on the recovery and less time on the drive.  You can think of it as doing more work but taking more rest accordingly.

Consistency and Efficiency are the name of the game.

Comment with your Experience!