Building Strength for Rowing w/ Shane Farmer

One of the pieces of equipment in the gym that strikes fear into people is the rowing machine. Many people consider it a piece of warm-up equipment, but it is so much more than that. When you take the time to educate yourself about not only rowing but how you can create a more well-rounded training program, the results can be magic.

Key Takeaways

If You Are Interested in Rowing, You Should:

1. Look at GPP Fitness from all perspectives and directions
2. Integrate rowing into your workout routine in a way that works for you
3. Lean on your community and coaches to help drive positive change

Changing Lives Through Rowing with Shane Farmer

Shane Farmer changed his life through rowing. He started Dark Horse Rowing to help others gain a community of others who hold them accountable, challenge their limits, and drive them to evolve and become the most robust, most incredible versions of themselves. Shane believes rowing can help make positive change and guide others to their most genuine potential.

Building Community Through Fitness

Shane doesn't want to turn you into a rower. Instead, he wants to help non-rowers use rowing on and off the machine to stay active, move better, and have an excellent quality of life for as long as possible. One of the main pillars of Shane’s program is the hyper-local tribe and community that can be a game changer for many people.

Diversity is Key

Diversity in your movements and workouts is critical to longevity. Shane believes that we all go through seasons of which practices we enjoy. One day it may be rowing, the following strength training, etc. The key is to change and evolve in a way that keeps you passionate about your movement practice so that you can promote your longevity as best as possible. 

By finding a healthy balance of weight training, cardio, machine work, and recovery, you can create positive change and improve all of the different elements of your training. Being proactive is far better than being reactive when it comes to your health, and it's never too late to try something new.

Are you ready to integrate a new practice, such as rowing, into your movement routine? Share your thoughts and experiences with me in the comments section of the episode page.

In This Episode

• Exploring the parallel between rowing and CrossFit  (11:52)
• How the pandemic affected exercise routines and the return to hyper-local community (15:15)
• Some of the biggest strength issues and challenges you need to face to improve your rowing (26:37)
• The importance of continual movement in your life as you progress (33:15)
• Tips for weaving together rowing and strength training for your overall fitness and longevity (41:00)

Quotes

“People are always going to want to gravitate to tribe and community. So as long as it is available, people will gather for fitness purposes.” (18:25)

“I’m not trying to turn you into a rower. I am trying to help you use rowing as an accessory to staying fit for life.” (30:45)

“Submit yourself to the process of learning the movement. Because once it all makes sense, you’re going to find a lot more enjoyment in the workouts.” (33:26)

“There is no magic pill. There’s no ‘rowing is the greatest thing in the world; strength training is the greatest t