Previously: Rowers || Coxswains
Does anybody actually like erging, especially in the winter? Everyone’s always wondering what they could do to make them easier or at the very least, more bearable. To make them easier, that’s simple – get stronger, build your endurance, and turn that voice in your head that says you can’t do it off. To make them bearable, you’ve gotta get creative.
There’s no shortage of good playlists on Spotify (you can follow me here) but you can also find good ones on the rowing sub on Reddit if you just search “playlists”. Podcasts or audiobooks are another good thing to listen to if you’re into that. Another thing if you’re on your own and doing a long steady state piece is to put Netflix on and erg while you catch up on shows, movies, documentaries, etc. If you’re into sports, watch a basketball game. You can take a 20 at a few splits below your current pace whenever there’s a time out, a player gets fouled, etc. It’s up to you how you do it.
Now, as a disclaimer: not all coaches are OK with their rowers listening to music (either on the stereo or their iPods) while they’re erging at practice so most of these suggestions might be best saved for on-your-own workouts. Some think that if they’re focusing on their music then they’re not focusing on the piece or they just can’t stand your taste in music so they avoid having to listen to it by banning music altogether. All of my coaches in the past have been cool with us playing music but make sure you ask first and be cognizant of other people who might be in the boathouse – don’t have the music up all the way to the point where a trying to have a meeting with their team has to shout over the noise.
I’d never have considered A Long December as an erging song, but I’m coming round to it. I do have a specific erging playlist, though it rarely gets used because the stereo in the training room is so LOUD my mp3 player can’t compete. It is stupidly random, but old school stuff like Ready to Go – Republica, Rhythm Is A Dancer by Snap, Killer – Adamski, Ride On Time – Black Box, Holding Out For A Hero by Bonnie Tyler are staples on it (along with Danger Zone by Kenny Loggins – got to be the ultimate workout song!). I wouldn’t have gotten through the erg workouts at the end of last season without Titanium by Sia & David Guetta (still obsessed with it) and I’m currently loving Sweet Nothing by Calvin Harris & Florence Welch – they just both have a great erging rhythm, which is what I look for more than I look for inspirational lyrics. Wow. That turned into an essay!
I always makes sure the song “My Body” by Young The Giant is on my erg playlist. The lyrics basically describe erging in a mere 3 minutes: “my body tells me ‘no’ but I won’t quit cause I want more”
I like it!! Definitely adding it to my iTunes.