The Complete Guide to Indoor Rowing (Complete Guides)

The publication of this comprehensive guide to indoor rowing attests to the fact that indoor rowing is growing in popularity - not just in the US. A key reason is the standardization and computerization of the indoor rower by the Concept2 Company located in Vermont, which makes competition possible among rowers scattered across the world. In fact the national indoor rowing championships in both Britain and in Boston attract over 2000 rowers every year.This relatively short book is both a broad and detailed look at virtually all aspects of rowing. The most important chapters are concerned with rowing technique, the physiology of rowing, and training. Other chapters discuss the history of rowing and rowing machines, the psychology of rowing, nutrition, including performance enhancers, the transference of skills and performance between on-water versus indoor rowing, and coaching techniques and requirements.Once basics are understood, especially how to row, most important is how to train. The chapter on training defines five intensity levels; short, medium, and long training cycles; and phases of preparation, competition, and transition. These concepts are integrated into a 26 week training program. What is missing and would have been easy to include is a specific example of how to set up a training program for a person with a certain level of fitness. That example could then be extrapolated to others. The subjects of strokes per minute and setting the damper on the fan are only minimally mentioned, though they engender quite a bit of debate in the online rowing community.What does one think about when rowing? As it turns out, people who are so-called internalizers are inclined to associative thought or task-specific, while externalizers are more inclined towards free-flowng thinking or disassociative thought. Both types of people tend to concentrate on the rowing and how they are doing when making hard efforts. The chapter on nutrition indicates that there are legal performance enhancers, caffeine for one and creatine for another. However, they work only on the margins. Of more importance is hydration and the proper mix of protein and carbohydrates.It would be a nice addition to see information on what rowers typically wear, what injuries and conditions are peculiar to rowing, and the standard layout and conduct of indoor racing venues. The inclusion of how-to-coach sections at first seems to be an odd fit, but they do give rowers ideas about what to expect from coaching. The case studies of several successful rowing athletes, young and old, male and female, and all of them from the UK are of some interest.All in all, this is a well put together book on rowing loaded with information. It is eminently readable. Its appeal would range from rank beginners to intermediate rowers who plan to or are already competing.

Nice to have available on self... Still looking for better resource...

This books is as good as it presently gets for books on indoor rowing. Pretty thorough. I had some questions beyond it on form/technique (for that, go to Concept2's website and forums).

Highly detailed and comprehensive. This book started with the history of indoor rowing, went to the basics of indoor rowing and on to scientific studies and other advanced topics. The only slight negative was that this book was totally centered around Concept2 rowing machines, and I wondered at times if that company sponsored this book, and perhaps slightly biased the book towards Concept2 machines. Despite that, the book was excellent.

I like having a ton of workouts to learn to do as I progress in my conditioning.

The best for the basics and technical aspects of rowing. Some of it way beyond my exercise science comprehension but most of it is educational and very helpful in getting up to speed about indoor rowing.I especially appreciate the section about nutrition, maintaining hydration and sweat loss.

More info than you ever thought you needed to know on indoor rowing. Comprehensive and clear.

The diagrams on the Kindle have too little detail to provide much help at all. Basically, one gets much more text than one could possibly need with too little useful info. I'd love to return this. A waste.

I purchased this book because I was a beginner and wanted guidance on getting started and improving my technique. The book is very clear and well written, explaining the why as well as the how, including illustrative pictures and diagrams. The book covers much more, including how to coach which I've found a useful insight.

Excellent book for those who want to improve, those who know and those who think that they know.

Excellent choice as a present to any person interested in taking rowing that step further. Well illustrated and very good to read.

Very good and informative book.Very useful read.

This is an excellent-ams inspirational book on rowing. Rowing is a wonderful winter exercise-you are in the pain cave listening to your stereo and getting your core ready for another season of road racing and running.Rowing is unique in the it is a great exercise for the whole body, but the good results can easily be negated by bad form and process. If you want to use your time wisely, get instruction or buy this book. Your card, core and endurance will thank you.