Strokes Per Minute · Official Boathouse & Launch Session Sheet
Échelle de Contrôle de Cadence (3 × 10 min @ 20–26 SPM)
strokesperminute.app
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Rate Formula: SPM = 180 ÷ 3-Stroke Sec
1. Session Prescription & Target Stroke Rates
Time on the catch · Count first tap as Zero (0, 1, 2, 3)| Segment / Interval | Duration / Dist | Target SPM | Sec / Stroke | Erg Target (vs 2k) | On-Water / Technical Call |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ladder 1 · Step 1 (4 min) | 4 min | 20 SPM | 3.00s | 2k + 15s | Establish long 2:1 recovery-to-drive ratio; float the last quarter slide |
| Ladder 1 · Step 2 (3 min) | 3 min | 22 SPM | 2.73s | 2k + 13s | Quicker hands off the ribs; drop split by 1.5–2.0s with identical leg pressure |
| Ladder 1 · Step 3 (2 min) | 2 min | 24 SPM | 2.50s | 2k + 11s | Exact 2.50s cycle; swing body over cleanly before knees rise |
| Ladder 1 · Step 4 (1 min) | 1 min | 26 SPM | 2.31s | 2k + 8–9s | Hold full catch compression at 26 SPM; zero slide rush |
| Rest 1 · Active Recovery | 3 min | 16–18 SPM | 3.75s–3.33s | Light paddle | Spin handles / hydrate; review rate accuracy from Ladder 1 |
| Ladder 2 · 4' / 3' / 2' / 1' Step-Up | 10 min | 20 → 22 → 24 → 26 | 3.00s → 2.31s | 2k + 14s → 2k + 7s | Negative split Ladder 1 by 1.0s at every rate step |
| Rest 2 · Active Recovery | 3 min | 16–18 SPM | 3.75s–3.33s | Light paddle | Reset grip pressure and posture before final ladder |
| Ladder 3 · 4' / 3' / 2' / 1' Step-Up | 10 min | 20 → 22 → 24 → 26 | 3.00s → 2.31s | 2k + 13s → 2k + 6s | Eyes-closed rhythm check for first 30s of each step; zero slide rush at 26 SPM |
Rowing Machine (Erg) Execution
- Program your monitor as 3 × 10:00 intervals with 3:00 rest, and set split length to 1:00 so you can verify your exact rate and pace across each 4' / 3' / 2' / 1' step.
- Aim for zero rate drift: when the step calls for 22 SPM, hold 22.0—not 21 or 23.
- During Ladder 3, cover the SPM corner of the monitor for the first 30 seconds of each step and test whether your internal clock lands on the exact target cadence.
On the Water (Boat & Launch) Execution
- One of the highest-return crew synchronization sessions in rowing: call 'Hands quicker, wheels slower' on every +2 SPM shift.
- In eights and fours, coxswains should announce the 3-stroke average from Strokes Per Minute 15 seconds into each new step.
- If the hull checks at the catch when moving to 24 or 26 SPM, insert 5 strokes of quarter-slide pause before resuming full pressure.
2. Coach & Athlete Session Rate & Split Log
DPS (m/stroke) = 500 ÷ (SPM × 500m Split in min)| Piece / Boat / Erg | Target SPM | 3-Stroke Time | Measured SPM | Sec / Stroke | 500m Split | DPS (m) | Technical / Rhythm Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ladder 1 · Step 1 (4 min) | 20 SPM | 3.00s | |||||
| Ladder 1 · Step 2 (3 min) | 22 SPM | 2.73s | |||||
| Ladder 1 · Step 3 (2 min) | 24 SPM | 2.50s | |||||
| Ladder 1 · Step 4 (1 min) | 26 SPM | 2.31s | |||||
| Rest 1 · Active Recovery | 16–18 SPM | 3.75s–3.33s | |||||
| Ladder 2 · 4' / 3' / 2' / 1' Step-Up | 20 → 22 → 24 → 26 | 3.00s → 2.31s | |||||
| Rest 2 · Active Recovery | 16–18 SPM | 3.75s–3.33s | |||||
| Ladder 3 · 4' / 3' / 2' / 1' Step-Up | 20 → 22 → 24 → 26 | 3.00s → 2.31s | |||||
| Extra / Check #1 | |||||||
| Extra / Check #2 | |||||||
| Extra / Check #3 |