Hydrow Rowing Glossary

Climb

These workouts start at a low rhythm number (stroke rate) and gradually increase. Great for practicing increasing your rhythm number!

HiiT 

(High Intensity Interval Training) Expect high stroke rates and high heart rates during this type of workout! Short Bursts of extreme effort paired with short rest. Great if you need a fat-burning workout in short amount ot time. 

Pyramid  

This workout structure starts a low rhythm number, steps to a higher rhythm number, and then steps back down to a lower rhythm number. Really helpful for building endurance and power at different rates!  

Reverse   

A modifier indicating a workout structure above will be inverted or followed backwards. ( A “reverse climb” for instance, will start with a high rhythm and gradually decrease)

Warm-up  

A workout meant to open your workout and get you ready, physically and mentally, for more challenging rows you plan to later.

Cool Down

Meant to help you recover and relax at the end of a workout session.

Breathe 

Indicates the lowest intensity row. These are targeted at stress relief and mild cardio with a focus on form.

Sweat

Indicates moderate intensity, with heart health and toning as the primary benefits.

Drive

Indicates the most vigorous and challenging rows, enabling you to test your limits and offering a full spectrum of cardio and strength training.

Journey   

Free form workouts which allow you to row at your own pace and enjoy an on-the-water experience without any coaching from a Hydrow athlete.

Rhythm Number/Stroke  Rate/Rate

How many strokes you take per minute. Can be as low as 16 or as high as 40+! Remember to always follow the athlete’s hands so you are on the correct rhythm number. 

500/m Split

The pace to row 500m. In rowing, this metric is similar to runners knowing their mile split pace. Knowing your split helps gauge your exertion level. 

Distance

Shows distance covered in meters during the workout. 

Pause drill        

Slow down to speed up! Use this technical drill to focus on particular points of your stroke. The athlete will cue you to repeat a pause at a particular point for a series of strokes. Helps focus on correct stroke sequencing and good body posture.  

Isolation  Drill         

In this type of drill, you will repeat only a certain portion of the stroke. (i.e. Legs-Only or Arms-Only) This can really help you learn how to activate certain muscles more!

Feet-Out 

In this drill, you remove your feet from the straps. It decreases stability, especially at the finish, but can really help you learn better core and leg muscle engagement.

Stroke

The rowing motion. Includes the drive and recovery.

Catch

The start of the drive. Called this because it is where the blade enters and “catches” the water. 

Drive

The power application phase of the stroke where you are pushing away from the monitor. 

Layback/Swing  

The portion of the drive led by your core.  After the legs are fully extended, your shoulders swing from in front of your hips to behind while the arms remain fully extended. 

Finish or Release

The end of the Drive and the handle is at the body..Called this because it is when the blade is extracted from and “releases” the water 

Recovery

The movement towards the monitor. Returning from the finish to the catch. 

Ratio

Refers to the relation of the amount of time spent on the drive versus the amount of time spent on the recovery. As a general note, rowers strive for a quicker, more powerful drive, and a longer, more relaxed recovery. This changes depending on stroke rate and intensity.

Erg

Short for ergometer; another word for rowing machine.

Catching a “Crab”    

When the oar is sucked underwater, causing the athlete to lose control of the blade. Can sometimes result in ejection from the boat. 

Blade

The portion of the oar that enters the water. On Hydrow oars, these are white. 

Rigger

This is the metal wing bolted to a rowing shell that is behind the athlete. The oars attach here. 

Shell

The proper name for a rowing boat.

Single

A rowing shell with one rower who has two oars. 

Double

A rowing shell with two rowers who each have two oars.

Quad

A rowing shell with four rowers who each have two oars. 

Sculling

The type of rowing where each athlete has two oars

Sweeping

The type of rowing where each athlete has one oar. We do not have any sweep rowing on Hydrow. 

Bow

This refers to the portion of the boat behind the athlete.

Stern

This refers to the portion of the boat in front of the athlete