Rowing WOD 11/12/13:
c/o Row2k.com
1. 1k Row @26 s/m
– Moderate Intensity (Row like you’re out for a steady jog)
*Note your average split for 1k
2. 6 x 250m Row w/ :30 Rest
– Row each piece at the average split from the 1k above
– Stroke Ratings are as follows:
@25 s/m, @23 s/m, @21 s/m, @26 s/m, @28 s/m, @30 s/m
3. 4 x :45 On, :15 Off
**Practice each piece as if it were the start of a 2k
**When you settle count the # of strokes where you hold your goal 2k split
For the first part of today’s Rowing WOD, row at an intensity similar to Jogging focusing on Smooth Form and Body Preparation by 1/2 Slide. Try to incorporate the ideas and skills of Posture, Control, and Connection. Today we’ll be working on ratio at different stroke ratings and varying the pressure we exert each stroke. At lower stroke ratings like 20 − 24, the ratio should be 1:2 or 1:3, 1 count on the drive, 2 or 3 counts on the recovery. By controlling our seat as it slides forward we can make sure we’re preparing our bodies for the catch. The goal is to turn our force and momentum around without any extra effort. Remember, we want to drive our body weight backwards toward the finish line, not throw it forward toward the Catch/Start of the Race.
When varying stroke rating during a piece use the pressure with the legs on the drive and the speed of the hands through the finish to vary the rating. If you want to increase the stroke rating and maintain power, think “drive the legs down faster and quick hands away” out of the finish. If you want to decrease the stroke rating without losing power, keep the same pressure on the drive and hand speed through the finish, but slow the seat down as it slides forward on the recovery, this is what I mean by “Control the Recovery”.
The goal for these pieces is to learn how to vary the pressure at different stroke ratings while maintaining the same split. The idea being that eventually we’ll find an optimal stroke rating where you just keep spinning the flywheel every stroke without letting it slow down to much and thus save energy and avoid fatigue. What we’re ultimately working towards is Efficiency! Instead of slogging along and duking it out at a slower stroke rating like a 24 for our 2k, we want to be able to row quick and light between a 28 − 32 when needed.
Renegade Rowing 
1K. 2:10.1. 26s/m (had a fluid conversation)
#2 same wild variations as before, but practice will make it better:
24s/m. 1:04.7
24. 1:03.1
23. 1:03.8
26. 1:07.2
28. 1:06.0
29. 1:09.1
#3. 208m. 1:48.1. 35s/m. Only 4 strokes at exactly 2k split of 1:55
Two questions, please:
Grip – thumb position on an overhand grip – I have seen the thumb both wrapped under the handle and left on top of the handle w the rest of the fingers – any comment?
Heel – does the heel always stayed firmly planted at the catch or does it ever so lightly raise off the pad at the catch. Most analogies say your position at the catch should mimick a dead lift which means the heel is planted. But some instructional videos show a slight lifting of the heel at the catch. Comment?
Good work Ward! Keep up the Practice – once you can vary stroke rating and pressure at will you will be a master of crushing rowing wods whether they are pure rowing or rowing and other crazyness.
1. Grip – Thumb around is correct, imagine completing a circuit by gently touching your thumb and index finger. On the recovery you should be able to wiggle your fingers and relax. On the drive a hook is what you’re hand should be without death gripping. Don’t waste anymore energy than you have to.
2. Heel – At the catch your heel may come off the footboard depending on your ankle flexibility and the positioning of your footboard. Set your footboard for comfort. The goal is to catch and push when your shins are vertical regardless of where your heel is. However, the sooner you can get your heel down and push, like a deadlift, the more power you’ll get into the handle from your posterior chain. There are tradeoffs to having your heel stay down the whole time and letting it come up and this will depend on your body geometry. Hope this helps!