Your performances in the boat and on the rowing machine will feel the benefit of following these eight top tips says Patricia Carswell
With a strenuous sport like rowing it’s easy to assume you’ve got it covered just because you’re rowing several times a week. In fact it’s all the more important to pay attention to your overall health.
Eat better
- If you’re too busy to cook in the week, plan your week’s meals at the weekend and batch-cook so you’ve got nutritious food ready to go in the fridge or freezer.
- Aim to have several alcohol-free days per week.
Look after your body
- Leave time to stretch after every outing, and don’t neglect the warm-up and cool-down.
- Yoga is great for improving hip mobility and for keeping backs strong.
And relax
- Talk to your coach or a more experienced rower about how much rest and recovery you should be getting.
- If you don’t sleep well, get into a night-time routine, and make sure it includes switching your phone off well before bedtime.
Chill out
- Find ways (other than rowing) to unwind. Choral singing has been shown to reduce stress levels and meditation can ease feelings of anxiety.
- If you’re not coping with some aspect of your rowing life, talk to your coach or squad captain before it spirals out of control.
This article was first published in the January/February 2017 issue of Rowing & Regatta magazine.
