Rowing Tips and Technique
How to Row Faster: Steal this distress tolerance strategy
Want to Learn How to Row Faster? Embrace Discomfort. Here’s how. I asked a coaching client recently about her rowing goals. She sighed and said, “I’m not happy with my splits. They’re too slow. How can I row faster?” Great question! A few things will help you get faster on the…
Read MoreShoes for Rowing: Find Your Perfect Fit
Step Up Your Indoor Rowing Game With the Right Shoes For Rowing Have you ever wondered how much difference a pair of shoes can make in your indoor rowing workout? Well, you might be surprised! If you’ve ever found yourself powering through a rowing workout, only to be distracted by discomfort in…
Read MoreHIIT Rowing Workouts to Build Your Best Body
Build your fitness and slow aging with high-intensity interval training and HIIT rowing workouts! Rowing workouts are a great way to target your entire body in one workout, safely and effectively. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts take that to the next level by helping you burn maximum calories and build strength in just…
Read MoreThe Best Rowing Machine Grip
Rowing Technique: The Best Rowing Machine Grip Updated May 7, 2023 Not to get all “handsy” or anything, but let’s take a second to talk about something you might not have thought of: Your rowing machine grip. Hand position in rowing. It’s more important than you think and if you’re not…
Read MoreHead Games: Tips and Tricks for Endurance Workouts
Updated July 17, 2023 Endurance workouts are great for your fitness, but let’s be honest: They’re not always fun. Spending an hour or so on your rower, treadmill, bike, etc., especially at a low to moderate intensity, can be more boring than fun. No worries, though! In this blog post we’re giving…
Read MoreRowing Technique: Learn the Rowing Catch Position
“How can I get more out of my rowing?” Very often, good rowing machine technique begins with getting set up properly at the catch. A strong catch = more power from the drive = more results from the workout. UCanRow2/Concept2 Certified Instructor Alicia Clark explains (video included!)
Read MoreCrush the Gym With A Rowing Workout Warm Up
Let’s talk workout prep! What’s your typical workout warm up?
If you’re like most people, you spend less than 5 minutes doing something where you’re randomly moving, probably paying more attention to the TV, a magazine, or your friend on the machine next to you than you are actually preparing for your workout.
Don’t waste the warmup! It’s super important, both physically and mentally. Try these and get ready to go fast!
Read MoreThe Best Warmup to Do Before a Rowing Workout
Let’s talk workout prep! What’s your typical workout warm up?
If you’re like most people, you spend less than 5 minutes doing something where you’re randomly moving, probably paying more attention to the TV, a magazine, or your friend on the machine next to you than you are actually preparing for your workout.
Don’t waste the warmup! It’s super important, both physically and mentally. Try these and get ready to go fast!
Read MorePlay This Game for Proper Rowing Technique
Updated May 9, 2023 Rowing machine games: Try this one to also learn proper rowing technique Rowing machine games are fun. But can they also help you learn proper rowing technique? Truth be told, some can, some can’t. The good ones will help you dial in the key parts of the rowing…
Read More3 Rowing Technique Tips for Better Results
There’s nothing we love more than getting a juicy question in our social media DMs or blog comments. Like this one:
“I’ve been rowing for a while and I know I’ve developed some bad habits that I need to shake. Help!” Does that one resonate with you? If it does you’ll want to read on to get our 3 best tips to help you row better.
Interval Workout of the Day RAMP IT UP
Try this interval workout of the day on your own or in a group. Pick whatever kind of weight you want to use on the weighted portion of the workout (the cleans, squats and presses). You can use kettlebells, dumbbells, bars, milk jugs, cement blocks, or nothing at all. Remember that our muscles…
Read More3 Rowing Machine Workouts to Get You Back on Track
What do you do when you get off track with your rowing machine workouts? Wipe the slate clean and get back at it. Try one (or all) of these three workouts to give you some variety and jump start your workouts!
Read MoreRowing Technique: Perfecting the Stroke
Want to see what perfect rowing technique looks like? Watch how Master Instructor Terry Smythe does it. With a list of key points to notice about her rowing stroke.
Read MoreRowing Machine Workouts: Chad 2
You know how much we love birthday rowing workouts around here. People always look forward to them, even though they know they’re designed to be a little harder than your average swing row. When we found out it was our master instructor Chad Fleschner’s turn, we could resist putting together a special sweatfest just for him. Read more…
Read MoreRowing Through the World Cup: The Soccer Fan’s Workout
The World Cup is here! So many hours of game time, SO many hours waiting for something to happen. Why not set up your rowing machine in front of the TV so you can cheer your team on while still getting in a great workout?
Sure, you could row steady-state through the whole thing, but a typical game runs around 100 minutes with stoppage time, and no commercials to break it up! Give the game a little variety by following these rules for the UCanRow2 Soccer Fan’s Workout:
Read MoreMother’s Day Workout to Celebrate Mom
What does mom want on Mother’s Day? Marketers would have you think it’s flowers, candy, jewelry, breakfast in bed (ok we agree on that one). But our favorite way to celebrate mom is with an awesome rowing workout. Choose one of the workouts below, and do them with her! Read more…
Read MoreRowing Recovery Workout – Burn Fat, Get Back on Track
We all have times during the year where we can stray from an otherwise stellar fitness program. Vacation, the Holidays, a busy time at work, summer at home with the kids, can all move fitness to the back burner temporarily. Hey, it happens to the best of us! Just get back on the rowing machine as soon as you can and you’ll be back up to speed in no time. Read on for a couple of rowing recovery workouts that will help you get there. Read more…
Read MoreRowing Music: Fall 2013 Electronic Playlist
Need a new playlist to put the spark back in your erg workout or get you through that 30-minute piece? Who doesn’t?? Rowing website Rowing Related has come to the rescue with its Fall 2013 Rowing Playlist. They’ve crowdsourced a rowing playlist featuring 11 “heavy-base, electronic” tracks that will “get you ready to tackle your…
Read MoreRamp Up Your Rowing Workout With Undefined Rest
What is “undefined rest” in the Concept2 monitor and how do you set it up? We explain all of that here, as well as give you an interval rowing workout you can use to try it.
Read MoreWhat a drag! Comparing drag factor on the rower and SkiErg
Have you ever referred to the drag factor on your Concept2 indoor rower or SkiErg? It’s the number that tell you how much resistance is on the flywheel and gives you an indication of how hard you have to pull (or push-pull in the case of the rowing machine). Traveling ergers and competitive indoor rowing…
Read More5 Keys to Nailing the Half-Marathon Row
So you want to row a half marathon… “They did it at The CrossFit Games,” you say to yourself. Or maybe Concept2’s Global Marathon Challenge has hit your radar screen. It’s definitely a doable goal, but you’ll need to train for it and have a strategy in place for when the big day comes. You’re looking at spending a couple of hours on the rowing machine (or SkiErg) so preparation is key.
Read MoreRowing Technique: Dial in Your Damper Setting
Updated August 6, 2020 How many times have you walked over to the rowing machine at the gym and found the damper set at 10, or put it there yourself? If rowing seems like a whole lot of pain and very little gain, that may just be why. Experienced rowers,…
Read MoreYour Rowing Technique Mantra: Legs, Body, Arms – Arms, Body, Legs
Indoor rowing sometimes gets a bad rap, and so does rowing technique. Too often people make rowing sound much harder than it has to be, both in terms of the effort needed to get results and the technique required to get there. Sure, there are some finer points to rowing technique that can make it challenging, but that’s all part of the fun and shouldn’t scare you.
Read MoreFinish, please!
Today’s post comes courtesy of Certified Rowing Instructor Leeny Hoffman. For more technique tips be sure to follow the UCanRow2 video channel and our Trainer Tips page. I was checking out different Crossfit blogs the other day and came across this picture of a rower (not from our gym) getting after it. I have…
Read MoreChain Drive the UCanRow2 Newsletter is Here!
Can’t get enough UCanRow2? Never fear, Chain Drive, the UCanRow2 newsletter is here! All things indoor rowing, delivered right to your email inbox. Workouts, playlists, technique tips, upcoming trainings, marketing advice, basically the best of the best of what we can find to help you get the most out of your erg or ergs,…
Read MoreTRAINER TIP: Close Your Eyes for the Cooldown
Here’s a tip to help your rowing students get better flow in their rowing stroke: The cooldown of a workout is a great time to focus in on the zen of rowing. Use that time to close your eyes and feel the motion. Remind your students to FEEL the connection of the stroke, from the…
Read MoreGenerating Power on the Rowing Machine
How’s your rowing workout been lately? Would you like to get more of the benefits of rowing machine workouts?
The difference between a good workout and a great one is in how you apply power on every stroke. That’s true whether your goals are getting a PR on your next 2K, losing 20 lbs or simply making the most of the time you have on the machine.
In this video, UCanRow2’s Terry Smythe shows you how to use your performance monitor to gauge your power output and a drill that will help you get faster and stronger on the machine.
Read MoreIntroducing Personalized Indoor Rowing Technique Reviews
Do you have a Concept2 indoor rower at home, or use one at your gym? Are you a competitive indoor rower who’s interested in improving your indoor rowing technique and your performance on the machine? Maybe you’ve been rowing for a while and would like to brush up on your rowing technique or get new rowing workout ideas.
A new offering from UCanRow2 may be just the ticket: Personalized rowing technique reviews
Read MoreThe Ultimate Erging Playlist
Music for rowing classes or a great rowing playlist is always a big topic of discussion around the UCanRow2 office and Concept2 instructor trainings. We usually tell people to aim for workout music with little to no lyrics and relatively slow beats per minute, usually in the 120 bpm range or slower. Indoor cycling music…
Read MoreShape Magazine Joins the Indoor Rowing Revolution
We love, love, LOVE that Shape Magazine is so taken with the rowing machine (and a Concept2, even better!). Their latest tweet on the subject: “OBSESSED with the rowing machine! Works your whole body & cardio? Why weren’t we doing this sooner?” Better late than never we say, and glad to have you!! Shape included…
Read MoreAsk the Coach: Correcting Others’ Bad Rowing
UCanRow2’s Terry Smythe, an indoor and on-water rowing coach with nearly 20 years of experience, answers your questions about rowing technique, rower workouts, teaching rowing and training for rowing. Q: I row at my gym, and the “erging” technique some people have is driving me batty! I don’t want to offend anyone and I’m no expert, but…
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