A few weeks ago, a video from the University of Connecticut Women's Rowing Team popped up on Facebook that looked more like badass football training than a rowing workout. Medicine balls were thrown, ropes tied to weights plates were tugged, and tires were flipped. This looked like serious fun - we needed to learn what was happening. In this week's Best Winter Workout, junior Mikayla Hudson shares the story behind the video.
row2k: What is your favorite winter workout?
Mikayla Hudson: My favorite winter workout is what we call our "Team Competitions." Our rowing coaches, strength coach, and academic advisor run a mock draft to create teams - everyone is included, rowers, coxswains, and the injured teammates as well; the coaches want everyone to feel included and bring energy to the competitions. There are six teams this year, each is named after a color. The competition goes the length of our winter training - six weeks leading up to spring break.
We meet every Friday morning to do different cross training exercises to build team camaraderie, get a hard workout in, and earn points for our teams. We do a tire flip, sled pull, rope pull, a move the Atlas Stone race with medicine balls, and "Move the Mountain" where we move stacks of 20lb plates from one step-up box to another. At the end of the six weeks, the team with the most points wins and gets their names put on the Team Competition Cup
row2k: What about this workout makes it a favorite?
MH: This workout is a favorite because it moves us away from the ever-present erg and gets us doing something a little different but leaves you tired and satisfied. It's a lot of high energy, cheering and pushing each other to move to that next level of competitiveness that we'll strive for later in the spring.
row2k: How long have you been doing this workout and who introduced it to you - is it an old favorite or new to your repertoire?
MH: Our rowing program has been doing this workout for about ten years, and I was told by upperclassmen as soon as I joined the team, "Just wait for Team Competitions!" The last two years have been so much fun for me and this year I expect the same. It's an old favorite of the team and I think it'll continue to be a great, fun tradition for our team.
row2k: If you could stay fit during the winter by only doing one type of non-erg cross training, what would it be and why?
MH: If I could stay fit during the winter by doing one type of non-erg cross training it would probably be a mix of the "Team Competitions" and high intensity interval training (HIIT) circuit workouts. The team comps are so much fun, and the HIIT workouts really get you moving and working hard. You end up sweaty and feel ready to take on the season.
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