There are many different opinions on whether it is better to be leaner or stronger for rowing. Some people believe that you should focus on being lean because it will make you faster and more efficient in the water. Others believe that you should focus on being strong so that you can generate more power and move through the water more easily. In this blog post, we will explore both sides of the leaner or stronger argument and let you decide which one is best for you!
When you are lean, you have less drag and resistance, which makes it easier to move through the water. In addition, leaner athletes tend to have more endurance because they require less energy to maintain their speed.
Being strong is important for rowing because it allows you to generate more power. With more power, you can move through the water more quickly and with less effort.
What is the Difference Between Being Leaner or Stronger When it Comes to Rowing
Rowing is a sport that requires both lean and strong muscles. So what does being leaner or stronger mean?
Anyone who has ever been on a rowing team knows that being lean is important. Every ounce counts when you are trying to make a boat move as fast as possible. But why exactly is being lean so important in rowing? Simply put, the leaner you are, the less drag you create. And in rowing, minimizing drag is key to going fast.
Being strong can help rowers to generate more power with each stroke, which can be the difference between winning and losing a race. In addition, strong muscles are less likely to tire quickly, meaning that rowers can maintain their intensity for longer. Finally, being strong can help rowers to better resist the forces acting on their bodies, such as the water resistance encountered when rowing. By increasing their strength, rowers can improve their performance and give themselves an edge over their competitors.
So which one is better for rowing? Leaner or Stronger? Let’s take a look at the benefits of leaner and stronger rowing:
The benefits of being leaner for rowing
To understand why it may be better to be leaner, it helps to know a little bit about fluid dynamics. Fluids like water exert a force on things moving through them, and that force is proportional to the object’s speed. So, the faster an object moves through a fluid, the more force it experiences. That’s where drag comes in. Drag is the force that acts on an object to slow it down, and it increases with speed. So, the faster an object moves through a fluid, the more drag it experiences.
However, there are some ways to reduce drag. One is to make the object more streamlined – that is, to reduce its cross-sectional area. Another is to make the object more slippery – that is, to reduce its coefficient of friction. And that’s where being lean comes in. The leaner you are, the smaller your cross-sectional area and the lower your coefficient of friction. In other words, leaner rowers create less drag and are therefore able to row faster.
Of course, there are trade-offs to being lean. The leaner you are, the less muscle mass you have, and muscle mass is important for generating power. So, while lean rowers may be able to row faster, they may not be able to put out as much power as a stronger rower.
The benefits of being stronger for rowing
When it comes to rowing, being strong is definitely an advantage. Not only will you be able to generate more power with each stroke, but you’ll also be able to row for longer periods of time before getting tired. What’s more, being strong can help to protect your joints from injury. By building up the muscles around your joints, you’ll be better able to withstand the repetitive stresses of rowing. So if you’re looking to improve your performance in the boat, getting strong is a great place to start.
How to Become Leaner or Stronger for Rowing
You can achieve leaner or stronger muscles by following a well-rounded rowing training program that includes both weightlifting and cardiovascular exercise. By including both types of exercise in your program, you will be able to achieve the benefits of both leaner or stronger rowing.
Lean rowers create less drag and are therefore able to row faster. However, there are trade-offs to being lean. The leaner you are, the less muscle mass you have, and muscle mass is important for generating power. So, while lean rowers may be able to row faster, they may not be able to put out as much power as a stronger rower.
Being strong is definitely an advantage when it comes to rowing. Not only will you be able to generate more power with each stroke, but you’ll also be able to row for longer periods of time before getting tired. What’s more, being strong can help to protect your joints from injury. By building up the muscles around your joints, you’ll be better able to withstand the repetitive stresses of rowing. So if you’re looking to improve your performance in the boat, getting strong is a great place to start.
Which one is better for you? Leaner or stronger?
So there you have it! Both lean and strong muscles are important for rowing. It just depends on your goals as to which one is better for you. If you want to row faster, then leaner is better. If you want to row for longer periods of time, then stronger is better. Whichever one you choose, just make sure to include both types of exercise in your program to get the most benefit from your training!
If you’re unsure about whether you should be training to be leaner or stronger, ask your coach what they think would be better for you? At the end of the day, your coach is the one who will be picking the teams so they would have the best idea of where you should be focussing your training. But also the decision really lies with you, so if you feel like the training that you’re doing isn’t right for you then have the conversation and see if you can try it a different way.
Whether you’re training to be leaner or stronger we’d like to know! You can contact us through our Instagram page at any time!
