Ask ten rowers what drag factor they use, and you’ll likely get a mix of answers. Some swear by keeping it low and light; others won’t touch anything except the highest damper setting. And then there are those who insist that 130 is the only correct choice because it feels closest to rowing a single scull. With so many opinions, it’s no wonder athletes get confused. What’s really happening when you move the lever on the side of the machine, and should your drag factor stay co

If you’ve been rowing for a while, you’ve probably done your fair share of 2k and 5k tests. You row hard, chasing that PB, and then… nothing. The split won’t budge.You try again. Another 2k. Another 5k. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. For beginners, test pieces can be useful - because almost anything works at the start. But once that initial progress fades, repeating 2ks and 5ks often leads to a plateau. And if your only strategy is to test more, you’re not giving yourself