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The machine is 98” tall.  We wanted a 75” stroke. The weights to use on the machine are Olympic plates which most teams already have.  We designed the machine so that shipping weights could be avoided.  Machines that we have made in the past had weight stacks but this is noisy with the weights hitting the weights, the stack plates can break too.

The Motion

The motion is a throw not a lift.  The user throws the weight and the machine resets it to the start.  What this does is makes it very easy to lift if the user applies their body weight but it is heavy if they muscle the weight.

By throwing the weight, the athlete will program into their muscle memory (motor engrams http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=motor+engrams&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8) the correct rowing stroke.  New athletes can be quickly taught to row correctly.  Athletes that don’t row well can unlearn bad rowing and then learn proper rowing technique rapidly.  Most athletes will perform the motion in about 15 strokes and in about 2-3 sessions it will be second nature.  Beyond this they will be strengthening with the proper motion.

The machine is essentially the rowing motion and lifting weights BUT, the machine puts the weight back down for you.  This allows the athlete to throw the weight skyward without having to catch it.  The athlete is completely unloaded during the recovery. – some coaches believe that the recovery requires some load.  This can be achieved by opening the control valve.  We believe that once the coach experiences this method that unloaded recoveries will prevail because then the athlete has more energy to do positive reps AND loaded recoveries often lead to training loaded bent arms.

http://www.youtube.com/user/SuperRowrowrow

Like learning balance, the rowing stroke has to be done to learn.  Also like balance, true learning comes with clear feedback.  When an athlete lifts correctly, the weight is easily thrown.  When the athlete doesn’t row correctly, the weight feels heavy.

The Stroke

The right stroke:

Start with only using legs, back does not open up, nor do the arms bend.  The legs are pressed down as though they are shoving an object across a smooth floor.  When the seat is up to speed the back is applied and is accelerated (if feels light), when the back is to speed, the arms bend very rapidly.  (the stroke feels unusually easy regardless of weight up to near body weight)

The wrong stoke:

Seat moves before hands (even ½” makes a big difference at the finish)

Back opens up early (feels unusually heavy)

Availability

We currently have machines in stock and can ship within 1-2 weeks.  

Recent Performances:

Head of Charles 2011 users 

2 victories by @ 30 seconds

1st Men Mast 4+ 50+

1st Women Mast 2x 40+

2nd and 4th LW1x

IF you want to get very strong:

Do 3 workouts per week.  Work up to body weight and >50 reps in a set.  Elite athletes have done @400 reps in a session.  HS age 3x60.  It is important to do high reps because the latter reps will be better technically and have a great impact on muscle memory.

If you want to have a great water row:

Do 30 reps before going out on the water.  Like a driving range, you tune your drive until the weight feels light.  Your first stroke on the water will be a great one and you will get more out of each water rowing event.

If you already row well:

By understanding when the different body parts are initiated, an athlete can understand (the application) when changing from boat to boat, or during head wind and tail winds.  By matching the body efforts to the speed of the handle instead of the forces, a greater efficiency can be achieved.  Also, by doing strength workouts, the athlete will achieve strength that they didn’t think possible.