Weight Training/cardio?

[[old] trish_s]

Hi,<br>I just finished my two novice seasons. I need to stay in shape for fall season. I need some ideas for cardio (such as time and interval pieces) and weight circuts. I'm 16 and I think I'm done growing, do I need to be concerned about "maxing" damaging growth plates? Also, sculling in a small area (harder on starboard the whole time) has made my left side quite a bit stronger than my right side, how can I even that out? Thanks in advance for any advice.<br>Trish

[[old] eurofoot13]

well, seeing as you are 16, you are not done growing. Most people grow until they are 18, some even until their early 20's, that said however, I wouldn't say that you need to be too too careful about maxing - though I am not a doctor. <br><br>My suggestion would be a. switch directions if that's possible. then you'll row harder on port the whole time, or work on building up your port side in the weight room. <br>b. I would reccommend body weight circuits. they are fast, don't require an extra trip to the gym, and work well. I do 30 jumpies/15pushups/30 lunges/ab set (whichever you now do will most likely work) and I start the season with about 3 sets - work my way up to 8 or so.

[[old] trish_s]

Thanks!

[[old] ian]

Trish,<br>if you use weights you may like to try unilateral training using dumbells. This involves one armed shoulder press, bent rows, curls or any other exercise you may feel like but only work one side of the body per session. Train your weaker<br>side monday and friday and the stronger side just once a week on wednesday.<br>I used this to good effect to help my judo when I was stronger pulling on my left side and pushing on my right side. I would also suggest doing this method for no longer than a month before reverting to normal weight training for a couple of weeks and then back to unilateral. Hope this is of some use/interest.<br>good luck & best regards<br>Ian

[[old] trish_s]

Thanks, Ian. I've tried that out a bit and it feels like it's working. And you were right eurofoot13, I just grew an inch! I had no idea I was still growing!