New Master Trainers ready to help Go Row Indoor reach more people

British Rowing has doubled the number of Master Trainers to support rowing club-based indoor participation growth nationwide

British Rowing’s Master Trainers provide training for volunteers, coaches, instructors and fitness professionals on how to lead Go Row Indoor sessions. This takes place both in-person and online, and is accredited by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMPSA).

“I know that by showing people how to use the rowing machine correctly, it will take away any doubts or worries, and educate PTs and Coaches that this is a great all body machine for all ages and fitness levels.” – Bekki Bradley, Master Trainer

Four new Master Trainers will be joining four existing Master Trainers appointed in 2016 and 2018. The team has been expanded to meet the demand for Go Row Indoor training and to offer in-person training in more locations nationwide. They now cover the East Midlands, Central and East London, South East Coast (as well as Coastal clubs delivering indoor rowing nationally), and Essex/the Eastern side of the country as well as the North East, Yorkshire, Scotland, North West/Midlands, South West and South Coast.

The new master trainers are Bekki Bradley, Rob Mayes, Cat Trentham and CJ White. All have substantial qualifications as rowers, as fitness professionals and as indoor rowing ambassadors and more. They have taken part in two full days of training at British Rowing HQ and online.

The Master Trainers support the delivery of Indoor Rowing masterclasses and attend conferences or exhibitions. They’re also ambassadors for the Sport England funded Go Row Indoor initiative and our dedicated indoor rowing portal, Inside Indoor, for which they may occasionally even help create new and inspiring training content and resources.

Chris Farrell, British Rowing’s Project Manager for Indoor Rowing explains, “Go Row Indoor helps venues such as rowing clubs, national gym chains, crossfit boxes, colleges, universities, schools, youth organisations, get more people through their doors for fun, fitness, health or competition. Indoor rowing can be a gateway to participation within rowing, bringing people into the sport by making it an option, as well as enabling us to build new communities that drive diversity and inclusion, including within the education sector. The Master Trainer role is a crucial part of this, helping provide more people with training and CPD to improve the experience and enjoyment of the machine and our sport for both new and existing participants as well as supporting kick start many of our grassroots programmes on the ground.”

Rob Mayes, another of the new Master Trainers, said, “Having worked in gyms I’ve noticed the gradual increase in the usage of rowers, but I’ve also seen the disconnect that still exists, which is simply because gyms, PTs , coaches aren’t trained effectively to use and deliver workouts or classes.  The Go Row Indoor programme bridges that gap by offering training, support and of course building a network of like minded trainers and coaches.”

Master Trainer CJ White said, “I’m really excited to be joining the Master Trainer team as indoor rowing has always been a massive passion of mine. It was my first introduction to rowing and it has helped me shape my life. Joining the Master Trainer team means I can help clubs, gyms and coaches introduce more people to rowing and provide them with the same opportunities I was given.”

More about Go Row Indoor instructor training

“Although rowing machines are prevalent in gyms, their full potential is often underutilised. By supporting fitness professionals in their professional development to become Go Row Indoor instructors, British Rowing ensures the safe and effective delivery of indoor rowing.” – Cat Trentham, Master Trainer

The key aim of Go Row Indoor instructor training is to help more people learn the fundamentals of teaching correct rowing technique.

It also helps fitness instructors, coaches and volunteers with delivery, as well as how to create training plans for members and new participants, conducting inductions, fitness testing, improving the use of machine including through land training, the use of technology, and adaptive equipment, options.

Finally, instructors learn how to deliver three indoor rowing class formats: 20 and 30 minute sessions, along with a 45-minute studio session combining circuit exercises and indoor rowing. The classes have been designed by British Rowing to offer a full-body cardiovascular workout for anyone.