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Ann Arbor Rowing Club

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Winter Training
Erging, Strength Training, Yoga



Everyone is encouraged and welcomed to participate in the AARC winter training program.


Erging Program Description

AARC offers a dedicated erging program during the winter months, designed to:

• Improve strength and rowing technique
• Stay fit
• Prepare participants for the
spring rowing season

Practice Types

• Coached Practices: Led by experienced coaches
• Captain's Practices: Member-run sessions, coordinated by selected captains who will rely the coach's workout plan and make any necessary adjustments.

Both types of practices aim to keep members engaged and progressing, even when rowing on the water isn't possible.


Requirements

• Club membership - Full member

• Pay for full season of winter training practices $325 PURCHASE HERE 

• SIGN UP FOR PRACTICE, see table below for practice times 
• For those who can't make it to practices but want to keep fit with the team and do the workouts: Winter Training Email List

Winter Training Facilities & Practice Structure


The program utilizes the Michigan Rowing Association and the Michigan Men's Rowing team's indoor rowing space, which is 7,000 sq ft and equipped with 70 rowing machines. The facility also features sliders (which link machines together for dynamic workouts) and a “swingulator” that mimics the sweep rowing motion.

Practice Schedule

Coached Practices: 5 sessions per week led by experienced coaches
Captain Practices: 2 member-run sessions per week, coordinated by selected captains
Session Length: Each practice lasts 75 minutes, including time for warm-up, the main workout, and post-workout core strengthening and stretching. 

Where: Michigan Men's Indoor Rowing Facility, 1250 N Main St. (at the corner of Lake Shore Dr., entrance of Bandemer Park)
When: See table below
Start: December 1st

End: March 29th
Closed for Holidays: December 21- Jan 3 (Typical 2 Week Closure)

Cost: The cost for winter training will be $325 full season. Members may drop-in for $15 per session. Coaches/captains will keep track and charge rowers' drop-in sessions and bill accounts at end of month.

Winter Learn to Row
Are you hoping to get into our Learn to Row (LTR)/Learn to Scull (LTS) classes this spring? Join our NEW Winter LTR program!


Purpose: The program is designed for individuals new to rowing, who are interested in joining the AARC’s on-water 2026 LTR/LTS classes. The program will provide essential rowing foundations and offers the opportunity to sign up early for spring classes.

Priority Access: To be eligible for priority registration for our LTS or LTR classes, participants in our winter program must attend at least 20 classes. 


A
ll new members should first attend one of the Winter Learn to Row intro sessions which will take place alongside our regular winter rowing practices.  Once you complete your intro session you can begin to sign up for regular practices and join the normal winter practice schedule for the remainder of winter training.


 

WINTER LEARN TO ROW INTRO SESSIONS SIGN UP HERE

Dates & Times 
December:

Sunday-7th or 14th from 7:45-9am

Tuesday-9th or 16th from 6:45-8pm


January:

Sunday- 11th from 7:45-9am

Tuesday- 13th from 6:45-8pm


Dec 2025-March 2026
Practice Schedule

Arrive at least 10 minutes early to start at time below

Time Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
Morning (5:30-6:45 AM)   Coach
Coach 
Captain
Morning (7:45-9 AM) Coach    
Evening (6:45-8 PM) Captain Coach   Coach


What's a Captain's Practice?

Captains will be selected to coordinate un-coached practice sessions (see tables above) through the winter erging season. Captains will relay the coach’s workout plan and make any necessary adjustments.







Strength Training

Details
Where: Advantage Personal Training (door to right of Ann Arbor Ice Cube's main doors) 2121 Oak Valley Dr, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
When: Saturdays at 7-8AM

Start: November 8th

End: March 28th


Sign up

There are 2 options:

Saturday "team workout" at 7AM:

  • Half-season: Any 11 Saturday 7AM sessions$199 PURCHASE HERE
 

You will have access to any/all AARC sessions on Saturday mornings. Any missed sessions can be made up in our standing Personalized Strength Training sessions throughout the week (10 times available every day). 


Some AARC members participate in strength training at Advantage Strength during the winter months.  Owner, Brian Sipotz, offers a group training program for AARC members. 
Advantage Strength is excited to have AARC back in the gym for a 7th season of winter strength training. Resistance training is a great way to support winter erg training, as well as make improvements before getting on the water next year. You can expect to have a stronger core and back, be more efficient in your stroke and resist injury as you go through the season. These sessions are appropriate for any level, beginners to advanced. These will be "team training" sessions, which means the whole group will be doing the same program. We can still make changes to individual programs to work around injuries or limitations. We see a wide variety of abilities within our full-time members, so we are very well practiced at tweaking the program to fit your needs better. 
If you have questions about the program, feel free to reach out to head coach John Zink:  john@advantagestrength.com



Yoga

Robin Schultz-Purves, owner of Yoga Rising, is offering "Yoga for Athletes" This is an upbeat, moderately paced Vinyasa class with a focus on balance & recovery from athletic pursuits. It promotes stability and flexibility and is good for all levels.

With Yoga Rising, rowers of all levels can increase their mobility & flexibility in a judgment-free environment. Classes offer a combination of relaxation and challenge, bring balance to body and mind, and enable students to leave every class feeling better than when they walked in.

Details

VIRTUALLY VIA ZOOM

Tuesday evenings: 6:00-6:45 pm

IN PERSON
Leslie Science Center: Wednesday evenings: 6:30-7:30pm - with a virtual option

  A2 YMCA: Thursday evenings: 5:30-6:30pm

Discounted price for AARC members: Register Here.
45 min class: $12 
1-hour class: $15

Questions?  Have a financial need? Contact robinsp@umich.edu


 





   
Have a question? Email info@a2crew.com

A
ARC endeavors to make rowing accessible to the broad community.  Scholarships are available to those with financial need to support participation.

AARC is a 501(c)3 organization.  Donations made to AARC may be eligible for tax deduction.  Please check with your tax consultant.
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