The time has come! Are you ready to row 5km? I’m hoping so! These last 8 weeks, you have been true Dark Horses following a progressive plan (which seems like a lifetime ago right now), and you are now ready to sit down, strap in and get ready to see if all that hard work has paid off. I’ve got a good feeling about this. Before we start… Let’s take a moment to celebrate all the small things you have achieved up to this point. Yes, the end may be in sight, but that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate some of the wins you’ve had along the way to get you to this point, and it would be remiss of me no ..read more

We’re back! and most importantly, so are you on your journey from couch to 5km on the rowing machine. I love this part of the training plan, as you should feel good, have endless amounts of energy and, most importantly, be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Okay, the endless energy may be slightly overstated, but let’s be honest; you are all crushing it if you have got this far. Let’s take a look at what’s in store for the final two weeks of training. Once again, you have dedicated workouts each week, so take your time to digest each one before you hop on your machine. Week 7 Work ..read more

1/2 way, baby!!! How are you feeling? I don’t doubt most of you are already loving/hating me and questioning why you committed to rowing a 5km in the first place. Well, I’m here to tell you – IT’S OKAY!! You are allowed to question things and falter every now and again, especially if this is the first time you have rowed for longer than 5:00 minutes, 2:00 minutes or even 10 seconds! When it comes to workouts this week, you have my full permission to add on an extra 30 seconds of rest if you need it at any point. I still want you to carry on with the planned workouts as written but be kind to y ..read more

Two weeks in, and it’s time to kick things up a gear with your next two weeks of training, along with a few additional tips and tricks to help keep you on the path. Let’s dive straight in then with week 3 to this plan. Your goal this week is to be as consistent with the SPMs as you possibly can. If you are feeling good, then you are welcome to aim for the higher end of the spectrum. If you’re a little tired, then dial it back a little but try not to miss the workout altogether. A quick note with this week’s workouts. You will see a different layout for this workout; you will see ‘rounds’. That ..read more

An Idea Inspired by the Concept2 Rowing Machine…Can We Charge it? Where did this idea come from? Rowing is more than just a sport or a workout; it’s a lifestyle. At Dark Horse Rowing, we’re always pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with rowing, and this time, we’ve taken it to a whole new level. Is charging a Tesla with a Concept2 rowing machine possible? It’s a wild question, but we’re here to explore it, and we’ve got the video to prove it! The Intersection of Fitness and Sustainability Our founder, Shane Farmer, is passionate about sustainability. From electric bikes to homegrown foo ..read more

Couch to 5km is a challenge, and if you’ve ever wondered if it’s something you are capable of, then Dark Horse has you covered! We’ve often been asked if you really need a dedicated training plan to achieve goals on the rowing machine, and the short answer is no. However, we all know that having something that gives you structure and accountability is going to help you on your journey and being a Dark Horse means you are going to want to succeed where others don’t (we know you, don’t worry) In this series of blogs, we will give you everything you need, from weekly workouts to hints and tips on ..read more

Rowing is rewarding and a great form of exercise. Even if you can’t get on the water, just getting on the indoor rower will help you stay fit, feel better and maybe even look better (except for those calloused hands!). It would, of course, be great if you were rewarded for all that hard work, and if your goal is to set a PR or even use the training to look at competing, then getting faster is the entire goal. So if you are pulling your hair out because no matter what you seem to do, you just can’t get any faster, then look no further because we have the answer. It might not be all of these, bu ..read more

It doesn’t matter how many clubs you’ve trained at or what level of competition you’ve reached in any sport. Some rules are just not written, and breaking them will either leave you buying the beers or becoming very friendly with the clubhouse restrooms! We all love to be able to drop into a gym if working away or vacationing, and the ability to train with a new group is like a shot in the arm to most of us. That being said, rather than you finding out the hard way, we’ve put together a few hints to avoid making these mistakes or upsetting fellow athletes. Training in unwashed attire. Yes, i ..read more

Everybody loves a part 2, right? Good! Because this time, I’m flipping the script with more things not to do BEFORE your workout in preparation for an all-out war against yourself. Oh, and if you missed part 1, here’s a link to the first 6 things you should look to avoid AFTER your workout https://darkhorserowing.com/six-things-not-to-do-after-a-workout/ It’s the little things that count, right? Checking your emails/messages Now I’m clearly not advocating putting things off that really should be done, however, if you’re like me and the last thing you read and didn’t respond to is going to ..read more

We all love a training session with friends, chatting, and being sociable. However… Let’s face it, beneath the friendly exterior, a little healthy competition is always bubbling away. The question is, what if your friends are actually faster, stronger and just generally better than you? Want to play the long game, or are you prepared to turn to the dark side and employ some sneaky tactics to give you the edge? Well, keep this one quiet; here are 10 devious tricks to help beat your “friends”. Note: I’ve been told by the Dark Horse legal team that I must include this disclaimer; we at Dark Horse ..read more