How to Train with a Rowing Machine

Video Transcript

" Hi! I'm Anna Marie and I am a Canadian Olympic rower and I am here on behalf of expertvillage.com. We are going to talk a little bit more about training for rowing. Training for rowing isn't just me being on the water. You can train for rowing on a rowing machine by running, by doing a variety of different cross training activities. We are going to talk specifically about erging, or being on the rowing machine. You can refer to my earlier clips on how to use the rowing machine if you need some help with that. When you are training for rowing, sometimes there is going to be days when you are just not going to be able to get on the water. Whether it is a time constraint, based on your schedule or sometimes the weather cannot be great if it is too windy, if there is a storm, if the lake is frozen for example if its the winter time. In those situations, it is best to make use of the rowing machine. When you are on the rowing machine, make sure you are trying to row on the machine not just erg. So you are not just pulling up the machine to get good numbers but you are actually trying to make your rowing stroke a little bit better. So staying nice and relaxed, going through the same technique that you would be using on the water and getting the most out of your workout session. You can get an extremely good workout on the rowing machines. Sometimes even tougher what you can get on the water because you are always getting that feedback. Every single stroke that machine is telling you how hard you are pushing. It is a great tool to use but also make sure that you continue to listen to your body when you are on it. It can be really tough on the body if you are pushing against pretty much the cement. If the rowing machine is on the ground like this one is, it feels a little bit different than on the water. If it is on sliders like this rowing machine, there is a little bit more give at the catch. It is a little bit more of a softer stroke. So either one you can get a great workout and erging is really a great way to stay in touch with rowing during the off season. "