Train Smarter, Row Stronger: Your Rowing Form Guide

Want to get the most out of your indoor rowing workouts? The secret lies in mastering the rowing stroke—a powerful, fluid movement that builds endurance, strength, and full-body coordination.


 

Rowing Technique Made Simple

Think of rowing not as separate movements, but as one continuous, flowing sequence. Here's how to break it down:


Start Strong: The Catch

Imagine coiling a spring—ready to explode with power.

  • Sit tall with a neutral spine

  • Lean forward slightly (1 o’clock body angle)

  • Arms straight, shoulders relaxed

  • Shins vertical, heels down

  • Engage your core and get ready to push


Generate Power: The Drive

Like a jump—power starts from the legs and flows through the body.

  • Push through your legs first (about 60% of the power)

  • Swing back from the hips (30% of the effort)

  • Finish by pulling the handle to your chest (10%)

Remember: legs > body > arms.


Reset Smoothly: The Recovery

Recovery is just the drive in reverse—controlled and fluid.

  • Extend your arms forward

  • Hinge at the hips toward the flywheel

  • Slide forward only after your hands pass your knees

This sets you up perfectly for your next stroke.

 

Common Rowing Mistakes to Avoid

  • Rushing the slide: Don’t race back—control your recovery

  • Leading with the arms: Legs always drive first

  • Slouching posture: Sit tall with engaged core

  • Breaking the sequence: Stick to the order—legs, body, arms


Pro Tip

Think of rowing as a well-choreographed dance. Each movement flows into the next without pause. Smooth is powerful.


Ready to Train Smarter?

Explore our curated selection of rowing equipment designed to help you reach your goals faster. Whether you're building a home gym or upgrading your setup, we’ve got what you need.

 

 


Staff Picks – Our Favourite Equipment Right Now
Flex Equipments

Inside Scoop: Our Team’s Favourite Fitness Equipment We live and breathe fitness at Flex, and our team’s personal gym picks say a lot about what really delivers. From lifting gear...

Maintaining Your Home Gym Equipment – Cleaning & Care Guide
Flex Equipments

Home Gym Maintenance: Keep Your Equipment Looking & Performing Like New A home gym is an investment—and like any investment, it pays to look after it. Regular cleaning and maintenance...

How to Choose the Right Cardio Machine (Take the Quiz!)
Flex Equipments

Find Your Perfect Match: Cardio Machines Made Simple Choosing a cardio machine for your home gym can feel overwhelming. Treadmills, rowers, bikes, cross trainers—each has its strengths, and not all...

Gear Up for Summer: 10 Must-Have Fitness Items to Power Your Home Workouts
Flex Equipments

  With the warmer months rolling in, it’s the perfect time to shake off winter fatigue and reset your training goals. Whether you’re starting fresh or upgrading your home setup,...

Your First 30 Days with a Home Gym: Beginner Workout Plan to Get Started
Flex Equipments

Just set up your home gym and wondering where to start? You’re not alone. Whether you’ve got a bench, dumbbells, or just resistance bands—your first month of training doesn’t need...

How Our Armortech PT300 Stacks Up Against the Competition
Flex Equipments

When you’re looking to invest in a high-end functional trainer, we know how overwhelming the options can be. So many brands make bold claims about quality and performance—but at Flex...

Depot Collection: A Smarter Way to Save on Shipping Fees
Flex Equipments

At Flex Fitness Equipment, we’re all about helping you get the gear you need—without unnecessary costs or delays. That’s why we offer Depot Collection across New Zealand, giving you a...

Building a Home Gym in Christchurch? Here’s Why Locals Choose Flex
Flex Equipments

We’ve helped thousands of Kiwis build home gyms that fit their lives—and now it’s easier than ever to shop with Flex right here in New Zealand. Whether you're upgrading your...

Is Functional Training Overhyped? Here’s What You Need to Know
Flex Equipments

Functional training has dominated gym floors for years—and in 2025, it’s still a hot topic. From balance boards to resistance bands, it seems any movement outside the traditional barbell realm...

From Dad Bod to Home Gym Hero: How Busy Parents Are Reclaiming Their Health
Flex Equipments

At Flex, we love celebrating real people achieving real results—and we’ve noticed a growing trend: more and more busy parents are swapping crowded gyms for the convenience of home training,...

Barbell Care 101 - Quality equipment deserves quality care
Flex Equipments

Let’s be honest - your barbell puts up with a lot. Heavy loads, chalk dust, and maybe even a few rage drops after failed PRs (we’ve been there). Here’s how...

Train Smarter at Home: A Workout Guide for Real Results
Flex Equipments

With the rising cost of gym memberships and the continued popularity of training on your own terms, home workouts are no longer just a fallback—they’re a lifestyle. But results don’t...

Plan for Progress: Your Blueprint for Real Training Results
Flex Equipments

Random workouts deliver random results. If you’re training from home and want to see measurable progress, structure and consistency are key. This guide walks you through the steps to create...

How Your Cardiovascular Fitness Can Transform You
Flex Equipments

Think cardio's just endless treadmill slogs? Think again. Let's talk about smart training that actually gets results. The heart of the matter:

   Strong cardiovascular fitness transforms your whole game...

Best CrossFit Equipment for Strength, Power & Performance
Flex Equipments

To unlock the full potential of your CrossFit journey, having the right CrossFit equipment is essential. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or a beginner, the right gear can elevate your...

Meet Claire Ghabrial, Former Australian & Oceania Boxing Champion
Flex Equipments

Meet Claire Ghabrial, former Australian & Oceania boxing champion, boxing specialist & mindset coach Where did it all began? I started karate at 12, changed to Kickboxing at 18, then...

Your Training Insurance: Why Mobility Is Key to Long-Term Progress
Flex Equipments

When it comes to progress in the gym, it's not just about lifting more—it’s about moving better. The smartest investment in your training might not be new equipment… it’s the...

Strength Starts Here: Your Beginner’s Guide to Resistance Training
Flex Equipments

Resistance training is more than lifting weights—it's about building a stronger, more resilient body and mind. Whether you're just starting your fitness journey or looking to level up, understanding the...

What Is a FID Bench? The Ultimate Guide to Flat, Incline & Decline Training
Flex Equipments

If you're serious about strength training, investing in the right bench can transform your workouts. A FID bench—short for Flat, Incline, Decline bench—offers unmatched training versatility in one compact piece...

Meet Coach Tane, Co-owner and Coach at Coach Tane Fitness
Flex Equipments

Meet Tane  A 25-year-old coach and co-owner of Coach Tane Fitness in Christchurch. His journey began with sports and grew into a passion for helping others through fitness. After overcoming...

Unlock Your Potential: Core HIIT Training Principles for Maximum Results
Flex Equipments

Looking to take your HIIT workouts to the next level? Whether you're a beginner or seasoned athlete, mastering these foundational principles of high-intensity interval training can help you burn fat,...

Train Smarter, Row Stronger: Your Rowing Form Guide
Flex Equipments

Want to get the most out of your indoor rowing workouts? The secret lies in mastering the rowing stroke—a powerful, fluid movement that builds endurance, strength, and full-body coordination.  ...

Meet Jake, Owner of PHM (Preventative Health Movement)
Flex Equipments

Meet JakeWith 7+ years of experience, Jake turned injury into insight—transforming setbacks into strength. His coaching focuses on keeping fitness fun, personal, and sustainable, helping clients become life-fit and mentally...

Small Space, Big Gains – Setting Up a Home Gym in a Small Area
Flex Equipments

Think you don’t have room for a home gym? Think again. At Flex Fitness Equipment, we believe that effective training doesn’t require a giant garage or spare bedroom—just a smart...

Behind The Brand - Episode 002
Flex Equipments

About this Episode Join Nav, the founder of Flex Fitness, as he takes you behind the scenes in his series Behind the Brand. In this episode, Nav reflects on the success...

Home Gym vs Gym Membership in New Zealand: 2025 Cost Breakdown
Flex Equipments

If you've been toying with the idea of building your own home gym, you're not alone. With rising gym membership costs and the increasing popularity of flexible training, many Kiwi's...

Hyrox Gym Equipment & Installation | Flex Fitness Equipment
Flex Equipments

Hyrox Has Taken the World by Storm – And We’re Leading the Charge in New Zealand What started as a global fitness race phenomenon is now a full-fledged movement. Hyrox...

Category