As a junior, my race warm-up was essentially whatever I felt like on race day. Sometimes it started with a 20-stroke piece at 28, other times with a 10-stroke piece at 32. There was little consistency or structure to it and my warm-up would come to an end whenever I had to go into the starting gates. I’d tell myself, “I guess I’m as ready as I can be!” But was I really? I wish I knew then what I know now… Continue Reading ›
Hot/Cold Recovery Continue Reading ›
As part of our training, we are provided with simple explanations of why we do what we do and what purpose it serves. From my understanding, training serves as a stimulus for the body in the form of stress. This stress encourages the body to adapt and the subsequent adaption is fitness. This adaption can only occur whilst the body is recovering. Like a broken bone that grows back together and calcifies, a body responding to training stimulus will come back stronger, but only if it is allowed to repair first. Because an athlete can train more intensely and often will have more physical capacity, we place a premium on recovery. If we can enhance and accelerate our recovery, our coaches can add a lot more volume and intensity of work. We use numerous strategies to enhance the recovery process. These strategies function primarily in the 1–2 hour period immediately after training or racing or in the 24-hour period following training or racing. Continue Reading ›
When we introduced the first prototype of the Dynamic Indoor Rower, we heard feedback from coaches and rowers that they wanted to be able to connect this new erg for team training, similar to the Model D on Slides. This has been in the back of our minds for the past year. Continue Reading ›
Watching a crew row by, one’s technical eye will typically spot the slow catches from the faster ones, inconsistent blade work and maybe even the body movements that are out of sync. Yet, I think the coach should not be totally responsible for influencing the change of a quicker catch or improved timing. It seems to me the rower should also take the responsibility of correcting these flaws. Continue Reading ›
In my last post, I discussed the significance of foot position on the Concept2 Indoor Rower. Another important consideration is shoe choice. For some, this is as simple as using whatever shoes are available. If you are incorporating rowing on the indoor rower with running or other forms of exercise, then you’ll probably just use whatever trainers (shoes) you have and that’s fine. Shoe choice is largely personal, but I’ll throw you a few thoughts on the matter so you can make an informed choice. Continue Reading ›
Foot position and shoe choice may not appear to be among the most exciting facets of using the Concept2 Indoor Rower, but by paying these small concerns their due attention, you may reap large changes in comfort and performance. Continue Reading ›
Can you handle the True North? That is, can you handle rowing in Canada in sub-zero temperatures? Last month, I tried exactly that. I was initiated to a historical sport, “Canot à Glace,” which is practiced in Quebec City on the St-Laurent seaway. The easy translation would be “Ice Canoeing,” but with all due respect, it’s rowing and not canoeing since we go backwards and use Concept2 oars instead of wooden paddles. However, given the oral tradition of the sport and how the passionate winter rowers in Quebec City have passed it down from one generation to the next, I will uphold the tradition and call it as it is in French, “Canot à Glace.” It is now part of the culture of Quebec City. There is a competitive league for the sport and the die-hard winter lovers say that it’s the best winter sport! Continue Reading ›
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