Ten Reasons Why Rowing Is THE Perfect Workout
Whether you’re out on the water with a crew, or going it alone at home on a machine, the health and fitness benefits of rowing as a fitness routine are undeniable. We definitely prefer getting out in the fresh air all year long to row with like-minded fellow rowers, but sometimes you’ll notice a switch from rowing to get fit to getting fit to row! Either way, read on to find out why rowing is good for the mind, body, and soul...
1. Promotes Healthy Body Composition: Rowing is predominantly an aerobic sport, and able to burn up to 600 calories per hour.
2. Enhances Cardio-Respiratory System: 30 minutes of rowing enhances your lungs’ ability to provide oxygen to your blood, heart and body.
3. Offers Low Impact Exercise With High Results: Rowing exercises all of the major muscle groups with a relatively safe and sustainable athletic motion.
4. Offers a Full-Body Workout: Rowing works out the whole body – focusing on the lower and middle back, hamstrings, calves, gluteal muscles and biceps.
5. Promotes Weight Loss: Competitive rowers expend twice the calories on a 2,000m course as competitive runners in a 3,000m race.
6. Helps The Heart: Rowing is the rare non-weight-bearing sport that requires regular, uninterrupted large muscle usage.
7. Builds Muscle Strength: The primary muscles worked by rowers are the quadriceps – strong quads aid with walking, jogging, lunges and squats.
8. Reduces Stress: Consistent, rhythmic activity, especially on calm waters, has an unparalleled impact in reducing stress.
9. Stabilizes The Body: Rowing strengthens stabilizer and neutralizer muscles, improving off-balanced movement.
10. Improves Muscle & Joint Mobility: Rowing employs a wide range of movement, which minimizes stiffness and increases flexibility.
A Variety of Rowing Options!
Even if you’ve NEVER rowed before, you are welcome to join us and try it out! We offer a variety of rows and training opportunities for those new to rowing as well as those transitioning from novice to competitive racing.
Novice Rowing
For all new rowers, this is where you start. Novice or 'Newbie' rows [and 'Open' rows] provide learning and foundational skills, coaching and plenty of on-the-water practice to learn how to row correctly and efficiently. You will learn how to dress and undress boats, seat positions, oar handling, safety, etiquette and rowing technique among a host of other rowing skills. Most of all, the aim is to have a ton of fun!
Social Rowing
Our social or 'Open' rows are for members who like to get out on the water and enjoy a good row. These rows are offered throughout the week at varying times to meet member demand. There’s plenty of laughter, good-hearted banter and fun skill-building to be had with a wide range of members of various ages, abilities and backgrounds joining the crew. Up to 1-2 new rowers are also welcome to join in on these rows to meet the members at various locations and learn from regular rowers.
Training Rows
Once you have the basic technique and terminology, training rows are designed to take you to the next level. These rows are for all skill level rowers who are looking to develop their skills and continue their on-the-water rowing technique.
Race Training Rows
For those rowers wishing to develop their rowing to a competitive level, we offer race training programmes for Men’s and Ladies’ crews. These rows are designed to be physically demanding, to prepare rowers for participation in regattas both locally and overseas. Race rowers must demonstrate suitable fitness levels, positive team attitude, technical refinement and a dedication to training.
Youth / Vets / Supervets
While our members range from 14 years to 80+, and rowing crews will often be comprised of a variety of ages, there are opportunities to row with those who are similar in age.
• Youth rowing offers rowing for 14-18 year olds.
• ‘Veteran’ crews are members who are over 40
• ‘Supervet’ crews are those over 50
Rowers in these age groups can, of course, participate and compete in the racing groups if they have the necessary skills and fitness and, importantly, if they wish to.
Coxing
A coxswain is the person responsible for the safety and operation of a pilot gig and its crew. If your interest doesn’t lie in holding an oar, you can learn to safely and successfully steer and manage a pilot gig boat. Training to be a cox includes boat handling, safety procedures both on-and-off the water, radio training, weather and tide evaluation and a host of other skills needed to safely manage a boat.
Non-Rower / Social-Only
Becoming a member of the Bermuda Pilot Gig Club is a great option even if you don’t want to row. There are plenty of social events and off-water activities for our members to be involved in throughout the year. From pot-luck dinners and regattas, to quiz nights and social evenings, members can enjoy a wide variety of events.
Interested in the History?
The relationship between Bermudians and the sea has shaped our cultural identity from the earliest days of settlement until present day. Manpowered pilot gigs were used well into the 1900s to put local pilots aboard incoming vessels to bring them safely through Bermuda’s treacherous reefs and channels.
“Boats, next to fortifications are the most important, beneficial and useful instruments that the Island can possibly have,” Bermuda Governor, Nathaniel Butler, 1620.
Ready to give pilot gig rowing a try?
Latest News & Updates
Looking to stay active?
Look no further than pilot gig rowing! It’s a maritime tradition turned into a new, exciting sport. Here’s our guide to getting started.
Benefits of Gig Rowing
While it may not be as well-known as some other sports, pilot gig rowing has a range of surprising benefits that make it a great activity to try.
From Vision to Reality
The launch of the Bermuda Pilot Gig Club is a testament to how far and fast you can row with a dedicated crew by unleashing the power of teamwork.