Tag Archives: health

Rowing WOD 11/16/15: Double Pyramids – Post Distance Rowed

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Representing at CRASH-B 2013!

Representing at CRASH-B 2013!

Rowing WOD:

Double Pyramids

2 x 19min

w/ 2min Rest

  1. 4′ @18, 3′ @20, 2′ @22, 1′ @24, 2′ @22, 3′ @20, 4′ @18
  2. 4′ @20, 3′ @22, 2′ @24, 1′ @26, 2′ @24, 3′ @22, 4′ @20

Today’s Rowing WOD is a great opportunity for any athlete, experienced or not, to get a sense of form and rhythm without the pressure of intensity and competition.  Sometimes it’s good to slow down for an active recovery day in order to go harder and faster later on down the road.

Rhythm and Endurance are two necessities for successful competition in longer WODs.  A great example would be the KB Swings and Pull Ups found in “Helen”.  Those who find a consistent rhythm can flow through the movements naturally and rely on their aerobic endurance without dipping into their anaerobic energy supply.

In today’s Rowing WOD the focus is developing rhythm and endurance.  Another word for rhythm in rowing is Ratio.  By varying the ratio of the drive to the recovery rowers can maintain the same pace or split, but work more efficiently and make the stroke feel lighter or heavier.

When going from an 18 stroke rating to a 20 you should focus on more pressure with the legs and quickly redirecting the hands through the finish.  This will help increase the stroke rating while leaving you the same amount of time to sit up, breathe, and relax as you slide forward on the recovery.

Post you’re distance rowed to comments as well as your thoughts on Ratio.

***Also remember to throw in a few strokes where you focus on Suspension!

Rowing WOD 11/14/15: 5x500m w/ 1:30 Rest – Post Splits and Favorite Drag Factor

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 Rowing WOD:

Suspension Drills

Recover to Strength in order to Suspend!

5 x 500m w/ 1:30 Rest

  1. @2k+5, Damper Set at 6
  2. @2k+5, Damper Set at 5
  3. @2k+5, Damper Set at 4
  4. @2k+5, Damper Set at 3
  5. @2k+5, Damper Set at 2

Check Drag Factor

Recently we’ve been reviewing the fundamental skills of posture, control, and connection.  Today we’ll take the idea of connection one step further as we feel what it means to suspend from the oar handle.  Suspension is all about using our body weight to hang on the oar and help accelerate the handle all the way through the drive.  The key is not to create any force Upward off the seat, but to just become weightless off your seat while keeping in contact with it.  Everything – forces, handle height, chain – needs to be HORIZONTAL when we row!  NO need to do extra Work (W = mgh) by moving stuff up and down every stroke, keep it horizontal!

Drills we’ll cover include the Stand Up/Sit Down drill to get the feeling of suspending above the seat.  Remember this is an exaggeration to get the correct sensation and feeling of good connection.  We will also do the Strap Drill where we statically hang and suspend from the handle while maintaining our body angles and strong postures.  Then we’ll do the Strap Drill dynamically by letting the strap out slowly and trying to hold suspension all the way through the drive.

In today’s Rowing WOD we’ll be varying the damper to find where we’re most efficient.  Over the next week play around with the damper to find where you’re most comfortable/efficient .  When you find a damper setting you like, check the drag factor so you can begin using a consistent drag factor.  For more information on Drag Factors read this article: http://www.concept2.com/indoor-rowers/training/tips-and-general-info/damper-setting-101

For today’s 500m pieces, try to focus on good connection and suspension while keeping a consistent split for all 5 pieces.  After you’re done look back at the memory to see what your average stroke rating was for each piece.  Whatever piece felt comfortable/efficient and was done at a stroke rating of 28-32 might be a good drag factor for you.  Take a couple of minutes to set the damper to that number and check the drag factor on the monitor.  Remember that drag factor and try to use it next time you row to see if you still like it.

Post your average splits and favorite drag factor to comments!

********** IMPORTANT *************

The biggest thing to focus on and practice right now is the fundamentals!!!  Body Preparation by Half Slide is Key and Connection to move the handle with the seat out of the Catch is key!  If you can Prep and Connect, the suspension will come.  Whenever focusing on suspension ensure your abs are engaged and you have a solid hollow body!  Protect those discs!

If you have any questions let me know!

Here is a quick video of the strap drill.  It’s a fun challenge to do dynamically. If you like what you see, come try it and train with the Renegade Rowing Club!  The Renegade Rowing Club starts December 4th at 6:30am at CrossFit Boston.  Let me know if you’re planning on coming… pat@renegaderowing.com

Rowing WOD 11/6/15: AMRAP10 – 250m Row, 2 HSPU – Post Avg Split and Total HSPU

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Rowing WOD:

The Ladies getting after it at the Renegade Rowing League last year!

As Many Rounds As Possible in 10 minutes of …

250m Row

2 Hand Stand Push Ups (Add 2 HSPU every round)

***THE SECOND ROUND WOULD LOOK LIKE THIS:

250M ROW

4 HSPU … ETC.

Functional movements like squats, deadlifts, kettle bell swings, box jumps, wall balls, and ROWING require a constant awareness of midline stability and core strength.  In order to achieve the smooth, powerful motion we’re looking for in all functional movements we must be able to maintain a solid midline at all times.  Today’s Rowing WOD is a good burner that will test that midline stability.  If you have hand stand push ups be sure to keep that midline locked in through the whole motion.  If you don’t have hand stand push ups modify by kicking into a hand stand, pausing to make sure you have the midline tight, and then kicking back down.  Once you’re back on the floor do a regular push up before kicking into the next hand stand.  Strict Dumbbell Press is another good substitution for Handstand Push Ups.   All athletes should look to go hard on the row, but fight for consistent splits each round.

Post your average split and total hand stand push ups to comments!

Rest Day 11/5/15: Announcing the Renegade Rowing League 2015/16

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Rest Day:

Renegade Rowing League is Back!

Announcing the Renegade Rowing League 2015/16

2k Row CRASH-B Style @CFB

December 12th, January 16th, and February 20th

 If you’re in the Boston Area on December 12th, come to CrossFit Boston at 100 Holton St, Brighton, MA at 8am to compete Head to Head CRASH-B Style.  There’s a $15 Entry Fee and prizes for winner’s of all age categories.  There will be holiday drinks and socializing afterwards with athletes from all over the area.

Mike and Mike attacking the 2k at the RRL - Are you ready for the Renegade Rowing League?

We’ll have 10 ergs hooked up to one another and displayed on the wall via a projector so that competitors and spectators can witness how fast each boat is going.  The 2k Row is a test of how much pain and glory athletes can endure over seven to eight minutes.  Grab some friends, come on down, and get after it.  This will be the first of three 2k competitions called the Renegade Rowing League, which is a good lead up to the CRASH-B Indoor Rowing World Championships at the end of February.  Anyone is welcome to come test themselves to see how they stack up.

If you’re interested in competing please register here!  The Renegade Rowing League will use the same event categories as CRASH-Bs.

Shout out if you’re training for the Renegade Rowing League and CRASH-B’s!

Rest Day 10/29/15: Head of the Fish, 2k Prep, and Renegade Rowing Club!

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Rest Day:

It was a solid end to the season! Time to turn it up for the Winter Season!

Head of the Fish is this Weekend!  I hope you’re planning on dressing warm because it’s going to be cold and wet.  I’ll be in town Saturday night and coaching on Sunday.  Hope to see some Renegades there!

Announcing the 2015/16 Renegade Rowing Club!

It’s that time of year again.  The weather has gotten cold and no one wants to row in the cold.  Now is the time to get pumped for training in the gym and crushing your 2k on the erg!  The 2015/16 Renegade Rowing Club will be held at 6:30am on Friday mornings at CrossFit Boston in Brighton, MA.  Practices will start the first Friday of December, 12/4/15.  The cost for the Renegade Rowing Club will be $177 for the whole winter.  We will be training for the Renegade Rowing League, which will be held in December, January, and February leading up to CRASH-B’s.  Who’s game?  Email me if you plan on joining the Renegade Rowing Club, pat@renegaderowing.com.  There are only 16 spots available in the club, so let me know sooner rather than later!

What’s your 2k Race Plan?

Get hydrated, eat well, and get a good sleep.  It’s been a solid three days of training/testing.  Be sure to take the time to mobilize those quads, hips, and hamstrings.  In training we ask a lot of our quads whether it’s rowing or running stadiums.  Show them some love even if it’s painful.  Do it!

For those that have been following the Rowing WODs you’ve probably noticed we are in the middle of a testing week.  We tested the 5k on Monday, the 1′ domain and 1 RM for our lifts on Tuesday, and our general fitness on Wednesday.  If you’ve missed those or are looking for the ultimate test, Friday will be a chance for you to attain 7 or 8 minutes of glory.  Start thinking of your goal and developing a race plan that will get you there.

Post thoughts on your 2k Race Plan, Goals, and if you will be joining the Renegade Rowing Club!