If you’re wondering whether rowing is the sport for you, there are plenty of great reasons to give it a go!
At Crewroom, a company born from a passion for rowing, it's central to everything we do. That's why we can wholeheartedly attest to the many reasons why rowing is good for you!
Physical Benefits
Probably the most obvious benefit of rowing is that it’s a fantastic way to improve physical fitness. From the weights and static bikes and ergo training you’ll do in the gym, through to frequent on-water sessions with your crew, you’ll benefit from a low-impact, full-body workout that works a wide range of muscles, all while building cardiovascular health and endurance.
It’s low-impact because the motion of rowing is so fluid, with no sudden movements or weight-bearing impact on your joints. Instead, you’ll build strength from your core through to your arms and legs, and increase overall flexibility, making this a great sport for people of all ages.
Social Benefits
If you want to row, remember, there’s no ‘I’ in ‘Team’. It’s a sport of camaraderie, communication and commitment, one where success is based on a collective effort and dedicated teamwork.
Camaraderie and communication because you’ll build strong bonds with your fellow crew members, supporting each other through every synchronised stroke, to keep the boat steady, to keep the rhythm, to keep the pace and, ultimately, to win the race!
Commitment because, quite simply, you have to show up! A double, a four, an eight – whatever the boat – remember, your teammates don’t have a crew without you.
And, from the boathouse to training camps and regattas, both home and abroad, you’ll build a wealth of positive connections and life-long friendships along the way.
Mental Benefits
The sensation of being on the water, putting in the blade in unison, the rhythmic movement and powerful sound it creates – it’s a pretty unique experience and one which rowers will attribute to feelings of calm and focus – a time of mindfulness for many.
And, naturally, the physical aspect of rowing complements mental well-being, providing an outlet to relieve stress and tension, not to mention the feel-good endorphins you'll experience with regular exercise.
Longevity Benefits
Rowing is unlike many other sports in that the age of a rower, quite literally, knows no bounds! From J12 junior rowers to U23 squads, seniors and veterans, there’s no need for a rower to hang up their oars when they hit 35.
Luckily, because rowing is low impact compared with the likes of football, rugby and athletics (to name a few), you’ll find plenty of enthusiastic veteran rowers in their 60s, 70s, 80s and beyond, with many still participating at ‘Masters’ events up and down the country (including the British Masters Rowing Masters Championships) or simply taking out a single scull or joining a mixed crew to enjoy the physical and mental benefits of recreational time on the water.
And, of course, there’s the continued camaraderie that remains throughout the years. Time spent with old friends both on and off the water, or just over a cuppa back at the boathouse – it’s a bona fide benefit of being part of a crew!
If the benefits of rowing have convinced you to give it a go, but you don’t know where to start, keep posted for our upcoming blog on ‘How to join a rowing club’.
