Rowing WOD 10/20: “The Charles” – 1k Row, 10 Push Ups, 800m Run, 20 Push Ups… – Post Time

Boat Trailers at FALS

Rowing WOD 10/20:

“The Charles”

1k Row

10 Push Ups

800m Run

20 Burpees

500m Row

30 Mt. Climbers

400m Run

40 Double Unders

250m Row

The Head of the Charles weekend is finally here!  Rowers have been waiting for this day all year.  It is literally like Christmas for the rowing world.  If you’ve never seen a major regatta come down and check it out.  Today’s Rowing WOD is inspired by the craziness it is to be a competitor and/or spectator on the river this weekend.  There’s tons of running back and forth, launching boats, watching from bridges, searching for friends, making new ones, and enjoying the racing action.  Concept2 will have a ton of ergs setup to warmup on or demo.  If you happen to bring a jump rope it’s possible to do this along the river.  Just be careful of the thousands of spectators and rowers!

Post your time and experience to comments!

Rowing WOD 10/19: Max Pressure 2x1k, 2×500, 2×250 – Post Avg Splits for Each

Sunset on the Basin! It’s the week of HOCR! Get Excited!

Rowing WOD 10/19:

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.  Results come from High Intensity and you’re 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 for each piece to comments!

Rowing WOD 10/17: 4k Row w/ Control/Burpees – Post Time and # of Burpees

Rowing WOD 10/17:

4k Row w/ Control

Row @26 s/m

80% Effort

*Perform 5 Burpees every time the stroke rate deviates from a 26 for more than two strokes

Executing a game plan during a competition can really help keep you mentally strong and allow you to push right until the end.  Talking with members of CrossFit Boston who competed at the Beast of the East this past weekend really emphasized the importance of this.  All of them crushed it, most of them won their heats, many of them PR’ed, and all of them had a game plan.  A big part of developing a game plan on the rower is to develop your ability to control stroke rating and effort, how many strokes do you take per minute and how much force do you apply to the handle.  

Today’s Rowing WOD is all about dialing in that ability to be precise, hold a stroke rating, and put out a consistent effort every stroke.  Each time you start rowing you’re allowed 5 strokes to get to a 26 stroke rating.  After that you’re only allowed two consecutive strokes not at a 26 stroke rating.  It’s ok if every now and then you deviate as long as within two strokes you get the rating back to a 26. Pick a split that you can maintain at 26 s/m and be consistent with your effort each stroke, it should be hard to say a full sentence.  Each time you catch yourself taking three strokes not at a 26 hop off the erg and do 5 Burpees.  If you’re looking for fun make them lateral erg burpees seen above.

Post your time and number of Burpees to comments!

Rowing WOD 10/16: 10 x 1min Race Pace w/ 45sec Rest – Post Average Split

Rowing WOD 10/16:

10 x 1min Race Pace

w/ 45sec Rest

Row Each Minute As Follows:

:30 @32 s/m

(then Ratio Shift)

:30 @30 s/m (Hold Same Split)

Yesterday we worked on ratio and shifting up and down the stroke ratings.  Today’s Rowing WOD is all about putting that ratio shift to work in a race situation.  Whether you’re on the water or on the erg the ability to ratio shift will allow you to breathe a split-second longer and under stroke your opponents.  Essentially you’ll become more efficient and be able to store up a bit of extra energy/focus to walk through someone later in the race.  Keep in mind this is at race pace and will be tough to maintain as you fatigue, so stay sharp and mentally strong.  Focus on squeezing with the legs and having quick hands out of the finish.  When you shift from a 32 to a 30, push a little more with the legs, have quick hands, then lengthen out the slide on the recovery.  Take a good breath and settle right to the 30 stroke rating.  The goal should be to maintain the same split through the whole minute.

Post your average split for the workout to comments.

Rowing WOD 10/15: Double Pyramids 2 x 19min w/ 2min Rest – Post Distance Rowed

Rowing WOD 10/15:

Double Pyramids

2 x 19min

w/ 2min rest between

(4′ @18, 3′ @20, 2′ @22, 1′ @24, 2′ @22, 3′ @20, 4′ @18)

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 our comments as well as your thoughts on Ratio.