‘Rowalong’ sessions on youtube

[Jamie rowing]

Hi all

I have been enjoying the rowalong workouts on youtube. I find the technical pointers very useful as i am still new to rowing. Does anyone else have a view on these videos?

Thanks
Jamie

[Rowan McSheen]

I'm a big fan of RowAlong. I've had an erg for nearly 20 years and use it a lot but for fitness and health, not to compete, so I don't need a structured and progressive training plan. I cycle between bottom and mid tier workouts with the occasional top tier and long row, and use YouTube's shuffle button to select a workout for any given day. His stroke rate and pace guidance works for me. Although I prefer his laid-back style to some of the more hyperactive YouTube erg coaches, I usually just make a note of the session and have my own soundtrack, the exception being a couple of the longer rows that have numerous rate changes.

He's also on Fb and has a forum like this one although last time I looked it was very quiet. I guess there's only so much of a market for erg chat boards.

[bassongirl]

I also love Johns videos. I recently did the 10k plan and it worked great for me.
I like the way he talks about personal stuff and it keeps me smiling when he talks about having spaghetti bolognese because I know it's a friday in his video.

[JaapvanE]

I really love John's sessions and tips. I live rowed on EXR with him several times, and still put the video next to it to hear his babbling. He gives good tips that helped my technique a lot.

[Joebasscat]

I like John’s style as well. Very informative on the technique/form side of things.

[Jamie rowing]

I’m glad to hear he is popular. He has done wonders for my technique. I really benefit from the frequent reminders to keep my hips in position and not overreach etc. matching his stroke also stops me going too fast. I have been following the Beginners Pete Plan and now combine it with John’s videos for the technique pointers.

Interesting to hear experienced rowers still use the videos. I assumed it was more of a beginners thing.

Happy rowing, guys. Thanks for sharing your experiences

[Ombrax]

matching his stroke also stops me going too fast.

Jamie, be sure to distinguish between stroke rate (strokes / minute) and rowing pace (say, time / 500m).

They're two different, though related things, and matching stroke rate can still result in dramatically different paces.

[Jamie rowing]

Yes that is a very important point. In one of John’s videos he does emphasise that one can row the same spm but still go slower or faster, so I have fortunately avoided falling for that fallacy!

[Dangerscouse]

Yes that is a very important point. In one of John’s videos he does emphasise that one can row the same spm but still go slower or faster, so I have fortunately avoided falling for that fallacy!

When I used to use a gym rowing machine, I'd regularly see r36-r40 and a pace of 3:30+ on some of the ergs, and it is common to hear forumites saying people don't understand how they couldn't be going as fast at the same stroke rate

[Citroen]

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