What Makes Crew Class Different?
Guys, I’m not sure why it’s taken me so long to write this blog. I guess rowing training has been such a constant in my life that it always felt normal to me. But over time, as I’ve started dipping more into the wider fitness world, I’ve realised just how different Crew Class really is. It’s built directly from my years on the water, shaped by everything I learned during my training as a rower. That experience is baked into every part of the Crew Class training system. I’ve finally put it into words—hope you enjoy the read.
For me, it all comes down to experience and intention. As Ireland’s first rowing World Champion and a three-time Olympian, I’ve spent decades immersed in elite-level performance. Crew Class isn’t just another workout—it’s a training system I’ve built to reflect training programs that come directly not only from the rowing machine but also reflect on the water training methods.
As you may know, rowers are among the fittest athletes on the planet—combining peak cardiovascular endurance with explosive strength. I’ve taken the same training methodology that builds this level of performance and woven it into every aspect of Crew Class.
Unlike generic fitness classes that rely on random intensity or one-size-fits-all programming, Crew Class follows a structured system rooted in the principles of water-based rowing. I’ve designed each session—typically running between 30 to 45 minutes, to reflect how real athletes train on the water, expanding the range of physical benefits you can achieve on the machine based on that session’s specific goal. Whether we’re targeting cardiovascular endurance, strength, or a combination of both, every element—stroke rate, rhythm changes, fan settings, resistance levels, and time duration—is carefully selected with purpose. It’s intelligent, focused, and results-driven. I’m not just showing you how to exercise—I’m teaching you how to train with intent.
What makes this system powerful is how it layers advanced rowing techniques with smart programming. You’re not just building fitness—you’re building capacity. This isn’t about burning calories for the sake of it; it’s about training with meaning, backed by a lifetime of experience at the highest level of sport.
Whether you’re just starting out or you’re already a seasoned athlete, Crew Class meets you where you are and challenges you to grow. Every session is an opportunity to progress—technically, physically, and mentally.
