Why RP3
““I began doing my on-land training almost exclusively on the RP3 in 2011 which propelled me to the top of the lightweight sculling scene in the US. The RP3 enables me to train longer and harder than a lot of my competitors because it moves like a boat, flowing underneath me, reducing stress on my back, knees, and spine, while simulating the same feel of connection I seek on the water. The RP3 also helps me work on the sequencing, acceleration, and rhythm I need on the water in order to go fast, which is ultimately what I care about. The live stroke-to-stroke data that is output by the RP3 is far more detailed than any other machine I’ve used. Not only does it tell me how fast I’m going, but also how efficiently I’m rowing through parameters like energy/stroke, stroke length, peak power/stroke, and the power curve. By constantly searching for a more efficient stroke, I’m able to get an edge on my competitors. Every fraction of a second counts, and the RP3 tells me where to look to find more speed.” r”
Nick Trojan| 8x USA National Team Member (Senior, U23, and Junior)
1) Enjoyment
Good rowing is enjoyable and provides immense satisfaction. On the RP3 rowing machine rowing becomes enjoyable too. Similar to a rowing boat, the RP3 is very sensitive to good coordination. Good technique is rewarded and poor technique becomes apparent and can be corrected in an early stage thanks to the exceptional and immediate feedback of its software. The overall elasticity of the RP3 system designed and patented by Cas Rekers matches the combined elasticity of the boat, oars and the rower.
2) Coordination
For many people the main attraction of rowing is the permanent quest for the optimal combination of force, endurance and perfect coordination. Experience teaches that of these 3 factors, perfect coordination is the most difficult to train. It is important that rowers should give at least the same attention to improving their coordination pattern as is given to improving strenght and endurance. To fine -tune the coordination pattern during land based training it is essential that the equipment that is being used simulates the dynamci behaviour of a rowing boat, feely floating on the water, as closely as possible. The RP3 does this.
3) Injuries
On a fixed ergometer or stationary ergometer, the rower moves his entire body mass up and down the slide, and must absorve large amounts of momentum at the beginning and end of each stroke, when he stops before the next stroke/recovery. This energy is about six times higher with the flywheel fixed compared to a floating/ sliding flywheel. The RP3 sliding flywheel dramatically decreases the risk factor for injury to body structures absorving kinetic energy. The rowers muscles, ligaments and tendons must absorve considerably less energy, and are because of that less likely to get injured rowing a dynamic machine.