Summer Cross Training

[joeliosa]

I'm a 17-year old rising high school junior and I have been away from my crew all summer due to a foreign exchange program in Europe. I've been cross-training in a multitude of different ways, but I'm not sure if it's actually helping me get faster or just keeping me in shape. I've been rowing for about a year and 4 months and my best 2K time is a mere 7:16. I'm still considered a borderline lightweight at a sliver under 150 pounds, but I'm not sure I'll stay there for long. I know my time is a little behind what other people in my age group have been pulling, I'm determined to drop it as much as I can this year and I'd still like to take advantage of whatever time I have to train here. Without getting into more specifics, I was just wondering if any of you have any good cross-training routines that can most accurately simulate the pain of on-water workouts but at the same time improve fitness when done on a consistent basis. I have access to a swimming pool, a few weights, and there's a track just down the street from where I'm staying.

Thanks in advance.

[ArmandoChavezUNC]

I have access to a swimming pool, a few weights, and there's a track just down the street from where I'm staying.

No cross-training without rowing/erging is going to get you much faster at rowing/erging, however, it'll at least help you maintain your rowing fitness and improve your overall cardiovascular fitness.

I would do weights twice a week, swim a lot, and run a bit as well. Fitness, especially the faster you get, is very sport-specific. The best cross-training for rowing is either cycling or cross-country skiing, but you don't have access to either. I think swimming is a complete exercise that'll really work your system.