The light at the end of the tunnel... (Photo: B. Kitch)
Suffice it to say, we've been stoked about the response to our #RowingRelated Winter Training Photo Contest on Instagram, not least because our audience has been logging winter miles in some very beautiful places (maybe winter training isn't all that bad?). Thanks to you, we've gotten to see some beautiful sunrises in Portugal, dramatic clouds over Florida, thick fog and brilliant sunsets along the California coast, and much more. So, after two weeks of entries, we've had to narrow it down to 21 finalists—a difficult process, and we appreciate everyone who tagged us, mentioned RR, or used the above hashtag to share their best rowing photography. Selection criteria included overall composition and image quality (resolution). And so, without further ado, the finalists are...
A photo posted by Harvard-Radcliffe Rowing (@radcliffecrew) on
Congrats to all the finalists, and thanks again to everyone who submitted photos to the #RowingRelated Instagram Photo Contest! Follow along for many more updates throughout the year, and tag us for a chance to be featured during spring racing season—and check back Sunday for the announcement of the overall winner!
[Updated 2:28pm PST: #21, thanks to @dereknlee, was added to the group of finalists]
Matt Miller (right) training with the U.S. men's eight (Screen capture) World Rowing Cup II is just around the corner, and the U.S. men's eight is gearing up to head over to Europe for their first international competition of this pre-Olympic year. And, thanks to the work of Mike Gennaro and Matt Miller , we've got an inside (read: banter-laden) look at just who these guys are donning the red, white, and blue in the big boat this season.
Updated 2026 — with links to our full Rowing Machine Reviews . The rowing machine (or ergometer) has evolved significantly over decades, but its core purpose remains unchanged: bringing the comprehensive full-body training experience from water to land. Today, with immersive workout experiences available through streaming platforms and integrated displays, the gap between indoor rowing and on-water training has narrowed substantially. Of course, it's never going to be a 1:1 feeling from the dock to the boat, and rowers (typically with not-great ergs) are apt to point out that "ergs don't float." But the value of rowing machines for fitness enthusiasts, athletes, and beginners alike is undeniable. Table of Contents: Essential Rowing Machine Benefits Lesser-Known Rowing Machine Benefits How to Incorporate Rowing Into Your Fitness Routine Best Rowing Machines for Home Use (2026) Rowing Machine Workouts by Fitness Level Frequently Asked Ques...
Cross-training for rowing success Every now and then, athletes and coaches write in to RR about particular training issues or goals. And, we're here to answer your questions. Here's a recent example of a question from one of our readers: I'm a personal trainer and have a client I will be working with that is a rower. I will be working specifically with him on running to help increase his endurance for rowing. I certainly want this to complement his rowing and have been researching what training would be beneficial (hill repeats, track work, steps etc). His shortest distance is 2k and longest being a 5k. I would love some suggestions on what running workouts would be the most beneficial. If you have any suggestions or can point me in the direction of material that would be a helpful guide that would be great. I know you are the experts in rowing and would love some advice. Thank you! -M From the RR Editorial Staff: I would say that in order to have the most success ...
Like many of the rowing faithful, I've been keeping up with the saga penned by Dan Boyne about the filming of the rowing scenes in David Fincher and Aaron Sorkin's The Social Network , and I must say I had high hopes going into the film. The first problem I encountered: the phrase, "I row crew." It was uttered so many times before anyone "rowed crew" on the water that I had trouble buying any of it later. It's understandable that the character of Mark Zuckerberg makes that mistake, since he has no idea about the sport. But when the Winklevoss twins themselves utter the phrase several times, one begins to wonder where Boyne was when these lines were not being chopped or changed. Seriously, who says that? As far as the actual rowing goes, the first scene, which has the twins out training in a pair along with the rest of the Harvard squad, is not all bad — it just ends that way. The line, "Those guys are freakin' fast" is certainly every b...
Obvious, right? As we get into the swing of winter training, we begin the the most grueling period of preparation as we aim to peak in late in the spring, or early summer. Lots of mileage must be logged in order to build the aerobic foundation that will allow us go as fast as possible during the racing season. In the midst of all this, it is acceptable, and even good, to appreciate the difficulty of the work that you are doing and to understand the commitment and drive it takes to succeed as an athlete. But don't be captain obvious. Everyone knows it's hard . We don't have to constantly talk about how hard it is. This includes talking to teammates as well as your inner monologue. The more negative we become regarding what is simply the required level of training to succeed in our sport, the more it is going to make that training difficult to accomplish. I believe there can be a significant benefit to treating the 'daily training grind' as no big deal—just doi...
