<p>I'm going out for novice crew at Harvard this year, and I have a couple questions for any rowers here...</p>
<p>I am 6'4", but I only weigh around 170 lbs. I am sort of afraid that they will want me to drop my weight down to 160 to row lightweight, but I really don't want to have to starve myself (I am already pretty skinny). What should I do to avoid this situation?</p>
<p>Secondly, I have never rowed before. What sorts of exercises (aside from ergometer, which I don't have access to atm) can I do to get in shape. I am an avid runner, so my cardiovascular system is pretty strong, and I have been doing lots of push-ups and pull-ups.</p>
<p>Hey, I'm not a rower myself--yet--but I am also thinking about going out for the novice crew team at Harvard. I assuming you're a guy; not many girls are 6'4''.</p>
<p>I don't know why they would want to drop you down a weight class. Wouldn't you be more valuable if you were at the very bottom of heavyweight? Not as much weight in the boat, etc.</p>
<p>I would think you would just need to make sure your back, arms, and legs are strong. Sounds like you're doing that, so you should be good.</p>
<p>Where are you rooming, by the way? I'm in Wigglesworth.</p>
<p>You're going to need to develop some sick muscular endurance/capillary density/lactic acid tolerance in your back, legs, biceps, forearms, and rear delts. I've never trained that way, but that entails sets of 20+ reps for endurance and about 50 for the other two. </p>
<p>I mean, at least that's what you should do on top of rowing.</p>
<p>I'm a female rower for a D1 team but I do know that if you want to avoid being seen as a potential lightweight you'll need to bulk up before you go out for the team. I know guys on our team that are around 180 and coaches still try to get them to drop down to 160. It gets kind of intense to the point where guys are wrapped in trash bags running 10 miles to drop water weight before weigh in... </p>
<p>Thats great that you're an avid runner, a strong cardio base is key. Pull-ups with your palms facing away from you are a great way to build upper body. Then of course keep up with bench press and squats...really pile on the weight for squats. good luck!</p>
<p>crewgirl218, my D has an interest in crew...she's never rowed, she's always been a swimmer. Any chances for a 5'4" girl that weighs around 110 pounds?</p>
<p>jaf-
To be competitive as a lighweight, she would probably need to gain some pounds (lightweight for girls maxes at 130). I was a swimmer/dancer before crew, and in my first year (as a sophomore) I went from 115 to 145 (I'm 5'9) just because muscles that I had not previously "bulked up" suddenly appeared.
If she has the type of body that won't really allow her to gain at least 10 pounds of weight, she might want to consider coxing. (Although for someone who's used to athletic activity, the idea of steering a boat and yelling might not sound too enticing).
But I fully endorse rowing. I think it's the best sport out there for girls because of the overall athletic component and the team atmosphere!</p>
<p>ecthelion- With your height, you could be a pretty competitive heavyweight. I would definitely try to bulk up a little bit. Coaches can't "make" you go lightweight. Just stand your ground. You know your body - and no one wants to go through college starving! You could try doing some core strengthening (abs, planks, etc) to get that going. And lots of squats/jumpies/lungies. They'll soon become your best friends!</p>