What do Rowers do when there is no Water?

Rowing is a sport that requires more than just an athlete and a pair of workout clothes. It needs a boat, an oar, and a body of water. What happens when you have everything, but the water part? You have to find an alternate training method.

An ergometer is a stationary, one person rowing machine that mimics the rowing motion that one would perform on the water. The “erg,” which people call it for short, is a machine of pain and extreme mental toughness. When you are rowing on the water, you at least have the beautiful water and teammates to keep your mind off the pain and push you through the workout. But on the erg, it is just you and the monitor screen that is conveniently position right at your eye level to constantly remind you how hard you are pulling with each stroke. You probably get a better workout physically on the erg because of the more self-determined and focus atmosphere, but the mental strength needed to actually do it is incredibly hard.

When the erging becomes monotonous and the rowers want to cause mutiny on the coach, another working out method is implemented. Cross-training is an excellent way to balance the muscles that are being used during the rowing motion and the cardio needed. Swimming and cross-fit have been scientifically proven to increase muscle endurance and prevent injury during rowing. Not only does the cross-training help the bodies of the rowers during the winter months when the water is frozen over, but it also helps to keep the minds of the rowers sound and at peace. Everyone enjoys switching up a work-out routine to keep the body alert and in this case, it keeps the rowers from going backwards in athletic progress during the off-season racing period.

Motivation is the key to success in rowing. The motivation comes from your teammates, coach, but most importantly, yourself, and when this gives out, there is no hope. The winter can make or break a team’s progress and this shows in the spring season. Therefore, the types of activities that rowers do when there is no water, is critical to the development and athleticism that they will have in the spring season of racing.