High Intensity Training – Rowing Machine (HIT)

If there was one machine at the gym I used to do my best to avoid, it would be the Ergo (rowing machine). Sometimes you have to face the fear. The Ergo is arguably the best all-around workout, targeting your whole body, particularly cardiovascular, so prepare for some lung burn. Life has a habit of making the unpleasant things in life the best for us, ergo is no exception. I grew to love it! 

What I like about the Ergo is checking your workout whilst rowing. The Ergo records your current time to complete 500m and the average time it would take. This offers you a chance to track how your workout is going and a chance to challenge yourself. I have been doing 1000m sprints for a while now, and it is great to record my details—something to use as a base and something to beat. Basically, you can compete against yourself. I try to keep 500m split at around 1:43 (min/secs), and keeping that up, is bloody tough. Ultimately I did the 1k challenge in 3 mins and 32 seconds, nothing to write home about but onwards and up!

One of the unsung benefits of HIIT, especially on the rower, is the mental reset it offers. When you’re giving it you’re all, there’s no room for life’s worries. It’s just you, the machine, and the next pull. For me, it’s a mental detox. My mind is forced to be in the present, and that’s important for as my mind can be hectic to put it lightly. .

For a complete mind and body workout, get on the Ergo. Stay strong and row on!