Becoming a Better Rower...

Question
In the off-season, I often find myself wondering what I could do to become a better rower. For example, does eating well help? And what about stretching - if so, what stretches should I do on a daily basis. Also, would running or biking improve my rowing?

Thanks so much.


Answer
Hi Katie: All the things you suggest will improve your cardiovascular system and thus will improve your rowing.  In my best season ever, where I rowed in the finals of the Men's National Championship, I was enrolled in a summer racquetball class which was a great supplemental workout (along with a weightlifting routine).

But the best thing you can do in the summer is more rowing.  If you can find a club nearby that rows in the summer, you will have a huge head start over college rowers who might just be laying low (or out partying) in the off season.  You'll also get the chance to row in smaller boats like fours, pairs, or you might even learn how to row a single scull (which I loved to do in the summer).

I guess you can workout on an ergometer in the summer, but who wants to do that on a nice summer day.

Hope that helps/AP