In the last couple of weeks before racing season, I have really started to ramp up my Powercranks use. I did an hour and a half and a 2 hour session last weekend, and both efforts felt really strong. My cadence is staying steady around 75, and I did three strong 8 minute efforts on them on Sunday. I can now comfortably say that the Powercranks feel more and more like my fixed cranks as I use them more. I have started to infuse using Powercranks into my race warm-up. I did a practice race on the water yesterday, and rode the Powercranks for 20 minutes beforehand to loosen up my legs and get my heart rate up. It worked really well, I was able to inch my heart rate into the 150’s relatively easily, and work up a sweat before getting on the water. I ultimately ended up with a very good effort on the water, and plan to use the PC’s in my warm-up throughout the Spring.

            On another level, Powercranks have also actually helped me even out the imbalances in my rowing stroke over the time I have used them. My left leg had always been stronger than my right, and I often had to compensate with an awkward twist in the lower back during the stroke. Since I started using Powercranks, I went for a row with a Masters rower/ coach that I hadn't seen in a while, and he couldn't believe how much my stroke had evened out. My stroke is significantly more efficient than it was last Summer/ Fall, and I feel the Powercranks have had a lot to do with that.