Strength In Numbers

Strength & Conditioning For Junior Rowers

Words ALEX HENSHILWOOD Photography BENEDICT TUFNELL

I don’t subscribe to much of the general guidelines on strength and conditioning for junior (under 18) rowers that percolate through various articles or are published as part of junior national team strength training requirements. Rather, I feel pressured by it. I’ve felt keenly about this for quite some time. However, I do accept that stronger, larger rowers tend to be better than smaller, weaker ones. So, being unable to change height and reach characteristics of the rowers in our group, a focus on developing strength is of course correct. But if we focus on strength, what about the greater elements of an athlete’s health and wellbeing?

Is it about big numbers?

For my program, strength and conditioning (S&C) means the activities rowers undertake in order to become better athletes. Increasing total mass lifted during ‘Olympic’ lifts is not one of our aims. Instead our goals include injury prevention, increased mobility and improved general athleticism. Exercises are designed to help rowers achieve the correct positions for good technical rowing while generating effective, safe force for boat propulsion.