Rowing WOD 12/3: 4 x 10min w/ 1min Rest – Post Avg Splits

RR LaybackRowing WOD 12/3:

4x10min w/ 1 min Rest 

As Follows:

4min @18 Steady, 1min @20 Pressure

4min @18 Steady, 1min @20 Pressure

1min Rest

4min @20 Steady, 1min @22 Pressure

4min @20 Steady, 1min @22 Pressure

1min Rest

4min @22 Steady, 1min @24 Pressure

4min @22 Steady, 1min @24 Pressure

1min Rest

4min @24 Steady, 1min @26 Pressure

4min @24 Steady, 1min @26 Pressure

Do you know what your strengths and weaknesses are?  Are you good at long distance pieces or do you lose focus and consistency?  Are you strong during 500m pieces but can’t maintain power for anything longer?  Or perhaps your peak power needs improvement?

In Training and Rowing we are constantly trying to improve our skills and strengthen our goats.  Take a look at your performances and accomplishments for the month of November.  What needs work or could use some improvement?  Take that to heart and if you can only fit in a couple of Rowing WODs per week, focus on the ones that will strengthen those weaknesses.

Today’s focus is developing the consistency and aerobic base to maintain pressure at race pace for longer pieces.  During the Steady State portion try to pull the same 500m Split every stroke.  Effort should be such that you can hold a conversation, but you are aware of your breathing.  During the Pressure portion ensure the split drops as the stroke rating increases.  It should be harder to get out full sentences during the one minute of Pressure.

Post your Average Splits and what you plan to focus on in the coming weeks!

Rest Day 12/2: Where’s the closest Rowing Club to you? – Find out and share!

Rest Day 12/2:

Where’s the closest Rowing Club to you?

Are they holding any indoor rowing competitions this winter?

If you drive by a nice body of water or are lucky to live near one, there is a strong possibility that there is a rowing club nearby.  If you need a break from holiday shopping or are recovering from a holiday party last night, sit down and do some research.  What bodies of water do you drive by or see every day?  Go online and check if there’s a rowing club on them.  Then try to find out if they hold any indoor rowing events this winter.  Share what you find and what opportunities there might be for other rowing athletes to compete this winter.

I’ll be up checking out the Lake Sunapee Rowing Club in New Hampshire this weekend as a guest.  They’ve invited me to talk about cross training for rowing and I can’t wait to tell them about all of the fun I’ve been having with CrossFit Boston, Wayland Weston Crew, Community Rowing, and of course Renegade Rowing.  Also, if you’re looking for a chance to compete come test your stuff at the Renegade Rowing League’s second race on December 15th at CrossFit Boston!

Post any thoughts to comments!

Rowing WOD 12/1: Max Pressure 2x1k w/ 5′ Rest, 2x500m w/ 3′ Rest, 2x250m w/ 1:30 Rest – Post Avg Splits

The Renegade Rowing Club will be working with Speed Deadlifts and Box Squats today!

Rowing WOD 12/1:

Max Pressure

2 x 1k w/ 5:00 Rest

2 x 500m w/ 3:00 Rest

2 x 250m w/ 1:30 Rest

Have you ever seen a WOD posted in your gym like 5-5-5-5-5 Back Squat and that’s it?  Did you think that would be a good day to take off because there’s not much to it and you’d rather go to a session with more stuff?  Well snap out of it and hit that WOD hard next time.  High Intensity is your ability to push your boundaries a little further everyday.  If you never test your limits you’ll never know what you’ve got.

Todays Rowing WOD calls for Max Pressure and is a test of your ability to consistently perform at your highest intensity.  Set the monitor for Intervals Variable and input 1k, 5min rest, 1k, 5min rest, 500m, 3min rest, 500m, 3min rest, 250m, 1min30sec rest, 250m, 1min30sec rest.  Pick a 500m Split and a Stroke Rating you plan to hold for each distance.  The first time you perform that distance execute that pace (split and SR) as consistently as possible.  When you repeat the distance try to be even more consistent and go a little bit faster.

Remember, the goal is to row at max pressure for every piece.  Focus on your split and stroke rate and row at high intensity with good form.

Post your average 500m splits to comments.

Rowing WOD 11/30: “Sculler X” – 5 RFT – 10 Pistols, 10 Inch Worm PU, 10 KB Swings, 10 Calories – Post Time

The Humbling Pistol

Rowing WOD 11/30:

“Sculler X”

5 Rounds For Time:

10 Pistols (5 each leg)

10 Inch Worm Push Ups

10 Kettle Bell Swings (2/1.5 Pood)

10 Calories on the Erg

  • (How many strokes will this take you?)

Walk the hands out

When rowing on the water balance and single leg strength come into play much more than rowing indoors on the erg.  Exercises like the pistol (single leg squat) really help develop the sense of balance and power needed to move a boat.  Think about making a big turn in a sculling shell mid race, like any of the turns in the Head of the Charles.  A sculler must be able to balance (a.k.a. set) the boat and transfer force to the water.  Those that do this well maintain boat speed around turns and can walk through opponents.  If you can’t do a pistol yet substitute goblet squats.

Keep a firm core

The inch worm is a great stabilizing exercise if you try to keep the hips and torso quiet.  Then when you add the push up, connection of the feet and hands come into play.  Keep that core firm and ensure everything touches and leaves the ground at the same time.  Last but not least there is the kettle bell swing.  Really focus on driving through the heels and activating the glutes and hamstrings while keeping

Full depth push up!

Now hold up!  What about all of the athletes out there that are using rowing as a cross training tool?  You’re in luck.  If you can piece together good efficient movement in the first three movements then you should be able to crush the row for calories at the end of each round.

 

Your goal should be consistent, efficient strokes.  For those that have been working on suspension and have tried a drill like the strap drill, you’ll want to fully suspend throughout each stroke in order to get done in as few strokes as possible.  If you suspend well and can maintain a nice ratio then the rowing part of this workout will become active rest and allow you to breathe.  Don’t get me wrong, 10 calories is not much and you should be pushing the pace, but work on suspension and make the rowing as effortless as possible so you can crush the rest of this Rowing WOD.

Post your time and the fewest number of strokes it took to complete 10 calories!

Rest Day 11/29: Olympic Lifting and Rowing? Thoughts?

Rest Day 11/29:

Olympic Lifting and Rowing?

What do you think about using Olympic Lifting in training to be a Rower or using Rowing to be a better Olympic Lifter?  Both require speed and power and incorporate similar movement patterns.  However, in rowing you sit down and are in contact with three surfaces.  In Olympic Lifting you are only in contact with two.  In Olympic lifting the goal is to transfer forces vertically and in rowing the goal is to transfer forces horizontally.  Where do you see the most benefit in training with both?  Are there downfalls?

Post your thoughts to comments!