Tag Archives: sports

Rest Day 11/24/13: How do you introduce rowing to new rowers?

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Athletes from CFH2O getting after a partner 2k at the Renegade Rowing Workshop!

Athletes from CFH2O getting after a partner 2k at the Renegade Rowing Workshop earlier this year!

This past Friday I introduced a new client at the gym to rowing.  I was only using rowing as part of the warmup, but still needed to impart some words of advice on technique and “how to row” without taking the whole session.  I imagine it’s a challenge that a lot of athletes, rowers, and trainers run into.  What do you do with a class or client when there is limited time and you’d like to get them rowing well enough to have fun, push themselves, and walk away having learned something?

Below is a video I made when I was in the Institute for Rowing Leadership a couple of years ago.  One thing I might modify for using this type of intro in a gym setting would be to say the words “Push Away” instead of “Stretch Away” in order to emphasize that rowing is a pushing sport.  Try both though and see what happens.

If you have any good ideas or experiences for introducing rowing in 5min to new rowers or a class of athletes please share to comments!

Rowing WOD 11/23/13: 2k Row, 1k Row, 500m Row – Post Times, Avg Splits, and Avg S/M

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Rowing WOD 11/23/13:CFRowing Trainer Course

2k Row

3min Rest

1k Row (@2k-3)

3min Rest

500m Row (@2k-5)

Why is rowing fun?  One reason is that it provides a challenge in learning technique to be as efficient as possible while working everything from your head to your toes.  Elsewhere in sports and training, if you’ve tried the Pose Method of running you may understand the beauty of focusing on technique and the perception of what your body is doing in space. Focusing on form and technique gives your mind something to work toward, rather than complaining about how much your legs burn.

Today’s Rowing WOD is a good opportunity to focus on one or two form fixes but get after it as well.  Set the monitor for Intervals Variable and enter the work/rest accordingly.  This WOD will give you an idea of where you might need to focus your training in the coming months.  At the end of today you’ll have three benchmark rowing times that can be used to game other Rowing WODs.  These three times will also come in handy if you’re joining the Renegade Rowing Club and training for the Renegade Rowing League and CRASH-B’s!  Sign Up for the December 21st Renegade Rowing League here.

Come up with a plan and execute.  You want to have mental cues on form, breathing, and effort to fall back on the second your mind starts to wander.  If possible grab a friend and take turns coxing each other through each piece.  Be consistent with your splits and stroke ratings through each piece.  The stroke rating for this workout should be around a 28-32, but everyone needs to find what works.  Find your efficient stroke.  Novices should focus on one form fix for each piece and work hard for consistency.

Post your Times, Average 500m Splits, and Average Stroke Ratings to Comments along with an answer to this question…

Why is Rowing Fun?

Rowing WOD 11/22/13: Partner WOD – 4RFT – 500m Row, Shuttle Sprint/Jump Squats – Post Team Name and Time to Comments

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Rowing WOD 11/22/13:

The Original Renegade Rowing Training Partners getting after it!

The Original Renegade Rowing Training Partners getting after it!

Partner WOD

4 Rounds For Time:

Partners Alternate between

1. 500m Row

2. Shuttle Sprint, 20 Jump Squats

*PARTNER 1 STARTS WITH A 500M ROW

**PARTNER 2 STARTS WITH A SHUTTLE SPRINT AND 20 JUMP SQUATS

***WHOEVER FINISHES FIRST GETS REST BEFORE HAVING TO SWITCH STATIONS

Rowing is an opportunity to push yourself as an individual and as part of a team.  Today’s workout is a partner wod and a good example of how training with a partner can take your effort and performance to the next level.  If you don’t have a training partner you can still do this workout, but it would be a lot more fun to grab someone from the gym and show them what rowing is all about.

One partner will start on the rower and one will start on the run.  The rower completes the noted distance while the partner sprints a shuttle sprint and does 20 jump squats.  For the run, designate a starting line and then setup three cones at 10m, 20m, and 30m.  A shuttle run will be down and back three times to a different cone each time; in other words – touch the 10 and run back, touch the 20 and back, touch the 30 and back.  The partner that finishes each round first gets time to rest!

Post Time and Team Name to comments!

Checkout the Renegade Rowing League Setup from last year!  The RRL starts December 21st at CrossFit Boston.  Register here if you’d like to compete!  If you’re interested in training for the RRL checkout the Renegade Rowing Club!

Rest Day 11/21/13: What do you eat before a workout?

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Checkout the post below from Alex Black of Wicked Good Nutrition for some good info and ideas on what to eat before a workout.  

Get some ratio at the Renegade Rowing Club starting December 2nd!

Get some ratio at the Renegade Rowing Club starting December 2nd!

If you’re interested in joining the Renegade Rowing Club to train for the Renegade Rowing League and CRASH-B’s please register here.  The club starts training Monday, December 2nd at 6:30pm at CrossFit Boston.

What Should I Eat Before a Workout??

Deciding what to eat day-to-day can be challenging. Choosing the best thing to eat – a meal that will give you energy to perform without making you feel too full, sick, or hungry – can be even more challenging. Every workout is different, so how you fuel for each one will be different too. You probably wouldn’t eat the same breakfast before a 2K test as you would before a 10 mile run. Read on for some basic pre-workout meal guidelines and some ideas for before a workout.

..Read The Rest Here…

Then share your favorite pre-workout meal in the comments!

Rowing WOD 11/20/13: 5RFT – 300m Row, 15 Push Press – Post Time and Splits

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Rowing WOD 11/20/13:

Renegades attacking their 2k Pace last year!

Renegades attacking their 2k Pace last year!

5 Rounds For Time

300m Row (@2k Pace)

15 Push Press (95/65 lbs.)

Today’s Rowing WOD is all about maintaining consistent pressure and efficiency of movement.  We did a similar WOD at the gym a couple of weeks ago and I’ve been meaning to work it in to the programming.  A good goal is to try to hold a 2k split for each row.  So if your current 2k takes 8:00, your split would be 2:00 /500m.  If you can hold your 2k split consistently or perhaps even go faster as the rounds go on you’ll be doing well.  Do your best to hold onto the barbell and go unbroken for the Push Press.  Be aggressive with your hips to assist/save your shoulders as much as possible.  Breathe, Push, and Have Fun!  This one is a great challenge!

Post your time and average splits for each row to comments!