light or heavy

[The_Giant0]

Hi,
I was wondering whether anyone might have some recommendations about being a lightweight vs heavyweight. I am 6'1.5" and weigh between 165-170 lbs. I have been gaining 10lb a year for the last three years pretty consistently (mostly muscle and independently of lifting). I am a bit worried that I am going to hit that point where it is hard to be a lightweight while being too short for a really fast heavyweight. Should I try to stop my filling out so I dont go above 175 or should I just roll with it and just go harder to be a high level heavy. I am not a slow lightweight (8500m for 30' @ 160lbs) but I am worried that even with an absurd cardio and strength base I cannot keep up with guys who are 6'4"+. I get that there are guys who can pull this off (bond for example) but we cant all be freaks of nature.

[Carl Watts]

Its a tough question.

Do you hold back and thus ultimately restrict your performance by being a lightweight or let your body develop to its full potential and acheive the best performance your capable of as a heavyweight ?

Personally I ate as many pies as I could and went for the unrestricted heavyweight option and I'm shorter than you.

[Cyclingman1]

Giant, you do not give an age, but I assume fairly young. If so, artificially restricting your body's development at a young age cannot be a good thing. I say keep getting stronger and developing and let it stop where it naturally will. If you are doing 8500 m for 30 min at 160lb, I can't imagine you having any worries. 8500 is very near the top of all light weight rowers across all ages.

[The_Giant0]

Are you saying that I would be fine if I went heavyweight or I could do some damage as a lightweight? I just turned 20 (been rowing for about a year)

[Cyclingman1]

If you can do 8500 m in 30 min at 160 lb, age 20, you will be pushing 9000 at 180 lb, age 25. By the way, are you in the C2 rankings for 30 min?

[The_Giant0]

no, I never really saw the point to those to be honest. So few collegiate people post that it is not really that reflective of where I actually stand.

Is 9000m good. What level of rowing would that give me access to (assuming pretty good technique)?

[Cyclingman1]

9000 m for 30 min is 5th in the world across all ages and weights and 2 of those times are not verified. You get there, you will be world class. BTW, you should be posting your times. That is how you gain legitiamacy when dialoging with others about times and distances. Use C2 rowing machine codes if you do not have a log card.

[The_Giant0]

Its 5th in the world for the concept 2 site, but I dont know how good it is in reality. A good heavyweight throws down a 19:00 6k at some levels

[Carl Watts]

no, I never really saw the point to those to be honest. So few collegiate people post that it is not really that reflective of where I actually stand.

Is 9000m good. What level of rowing would that give me access to (assuming pretty good technique)?

9000m in 30min is the benchmark on the Erg to be a national representative rower I have been told by someone that managed to get there.

Very few people in the rankings on this type of figure as they tend to be focused OTW.

[hjs]

Its 5th in the world for the concept 2 site, but I dont know how good it is in reality. A good heavyweight throws down a 19:00 6k at some levels

Indeed, the rankings say nothing in the younger groups, almost nothing gets ranked by otw rowers.

[hjs]

Its 5th in the world for the concept 2 site, but I dont know how good it is in reality. A good heavyweight throws down a 19:00 6k at some levels

Indeed, the rankings say nothing in the younger groups, almost nothing gets ranked by otw rowers.

The very best row 9k plus rate 20, free rate is seldom done.

The very best over 5k erg around 1.30 this is free rate

[The_Giant0]

I do otw

[jamesg]

Your best chance is probably in boats where a lot of skill is needed, 4x, 2x, 1x, 4-, but even at the highest level an 8 needs good stern and bow pairs. So much the better if the engine room is 7' and 100+ kg, but they'll need someone in stroke seat to push them enough to justify their greater weight.

I remember seeing an Italian 4- who had an Olympic Gold. They were all around 5'10, but almost as wide.

70 kg does not look a good weight for you.

[The_Giant0]

I was thinking along the same lines. I am just worried that doing a 19' 6k would be much harder than 20' 6k, or nearly impossible, even with 20 extra pounds

[jamesg]

I shouldn't worry too much about the erg, even if it's a dynamic or on slides. On water is where we have to be.