Getting started again

[D6K9Cop]

I had been an avid C2 rower for a number of years and was approaching 5 million meters when I just flat hit the wall. Too many meters, too many days a week and I became so addicted that I stopped cross training with my other loves ( running, biking and weights).

As I prepare to get back into it I plan to row three days a week and do a cardio based lifting rotine twice that I have already been doing and love. Is it OK to have a lifting routine that covers all the body parts over the two days while rowing three days a week. I ask as I was told that it was not good to lift weight when involved in a rowing program. All insight and comments will be much appreciated as I put this back together.

[Bob S.]

I ask as I was told that it was not good to lift weight when involved in a rowing program. All insight and comments will be much appreciated as I put this back together.

I am curious as to who told you that, since a number of top level rowing programs include weight lifting. I would think that it would depend on the purpose of the rowing program and the type of weight lifting done. For competitive OTW rowers, a lot of bulk in the shoulders and chest adds weight to the boat and does nothing to help move it, but a weight routine that uses lots of repetitions with moderate weights won't build a lot of bulk. For OTE rowers, it doesn't make all that much difference. The extra weight just means more wasted energy at high stroke rates. Since rowing does not really use all the muscles as some will claim, it is a good idea to have some activity that works the muscles opposed to those used in rowing. Pushups are a good example of that.

If you are into weight work that involves doing a lot of work at close to max, it would probably be detrimental to rowing, but I don't see why lighter programs would be a problem.

[D6K9Cop]

Good information and thank you. I no longer lift heavy but rather lower wright, more reps. All work is done with dumbbells. Thank you.

[Balkan boy]

I always have a dilemma if I should just row or mix it up with other disciplines. I know the correct answer, but it's hard to stick by it without remorse.

Here you can see two different points of view by Rockin Roland and HJS (bottom half of the page):
http://www.c2forum.com/viewtopic.php?f= ... 35#p309965

This is a thorough training guide for C2. There is a section on weight lifting that may give you some answers.
(direct PDF download) http://www.redking.me.uk/sport/rowing/t ... ing_v2.pdf

You mention 'cardio based lifting'; did you ever try Kettlebells? There is a slight learning curve to them when coming from free weights, but I think it complements the rowing better. No matter what your preference for physical activity is; pushups, pull-ups, dips, squats and abdominals are essential.

I have a lot of material on Kettlebells and cross-training that I can attach, if you are interested.