Strokes Per Minute · Official Boathouse & Launch Session Sheet
5.000m Head Race Stappentest (5 × 1.000m @ 24–30+ SPM)
strokesperminute.app
iPhone · iPad · Apple Watch · Android
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0m – 1,000m · Rhythm Foundation | 1,000m | 24 SPM | 2.50s | 5k goal + 2.0s | Discipline off the start; lock 24 SPM and long horizontal leg drive |
| 1,000m – 2,000m · Threshold Settle | 1,000m | 25 SPM | 2.40s | 5k goal + 1.0s | Add +1 SPM through cleaner finish tap-down; drop split by 1.0s |
| 2,000m – 3,000m · The Middle Bridge | 1,000m | 26 SPM | 2.31s | Exact 5k goal | Hold exact goal 5k split through the third kilometer; sit tall |
| 3,000m – 4,000m · Press the Turn | 1,000m | 28 SPM | 2.14s | 5k goal - 1.5s | Commit legs early at the catch; attack the fourth kilometer |
| 4,000m – 5,000m · Chute Sprint | 1,000m | 30+ SPM | ≤ 2.00s | 5k goal - 2.5s+ | Empty the tank; lift to 32+ SPM in the final 300 meters |
Rowing Machine (Erg) Execution
- Program the monitor as a single 5,000m distance workout with 1,000m splits so every kilometer average and SPM is saved automatically.
- Hold back in the first 1,000m at 24 SPM—going out at 27 SPM in the first kilometer almost always costs 4–6 seconds in the fourth kilometer.
- Your goal is a true negative split: every 1,000m segment should show a faster average /500m split than the kilometer before it.
On the Water (Boat & Launch) Execution
- Map the 5 × 1,000m transitions to landmarks along your river or head course (bridges, bends, or buoy markers).
- Coxswains should call a 10-stroke 'Length and Swing' reset at every 1,000m landmark right as the rate steps up by +1 or +2 SPM.
- Use the downloadable Excel workbook to compute each kilometer's Distance Per Stroke (DPS) and check whether the crew shortened up in the final 1,000m.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0m – 1,000m · Rhythm Foundation | 24 SPM | 2.50s | |||||
| 1,000m – 2,000m · Threshold Settle | 25 SPM | 2.40s | |||||
| 2,000m – 3,000m · The Middle Bridge | 26 SPM | 2.31s | |||||
| 3,000m – 4,000m · Press the Turn | 28 SPM | 2.14s | |||||
| 4,000m – 5,000m · Chute Sprint | 30+ SPM | ≤ 2.00s | |||||
| Extra / Check #1 | |||||||
| Extra / Check #2 | |||||||
| Extra / Check #3 |