Things You Should Know About Rowing In The Philippines
Little light has been shed upon the sport of rowing in the Philippines. This is probably because most people would rather watch or play popular sports such as basketball or volleyball. Also, much of that has got to do with the access to a nearby body of water and its conditions. As you know, Manila isn’t exactly known for its spotless rivers, but the sport still stands the test of time. If you don’t mind waking up early to calm waters, you should venture into this sport!! Learn more about why you should start rowing in the Philippines as early as now.
1Strengthens cardiovascular activity
Rowing promotes a good breathing pattern that increases blood flow to and from the heart. Getting the heart to pump at a rapid rate ensures that oxygen reaches to each and every cell of the body. Unhealthy heart conditions and disease are often linked to poor cardiovascular performance. A good cardio workout can be done with rapid but short intervals.
2Builds self-discipline and dedication
Imagine waking up early in the morning for each rowing session. Not everyone can do that because we know how our beds can get so clingy (yes, we blame the beds). It takes real discipline to follow the command of your alarm without struggling to hit that snooze button a couple of times. Once you’ve become part of the team, you’ll learn how to work together as one, so your boat can move faster towards the right direction. Sometimes, you’ll no longer think for yourself but the entire team. That’s called hard-earned dedication!
3Reduces stress
Spending time on the water is a relaxing activity. It allows your mind to recompose itself, leaving behind any trouble or worry. Engaging in a sport like rowing highly reduces stress because of its uniform and rhythmic movement. When you get caught up in the moment, your mind temporarily blacks out, zeroes in, and focuses on what needs to be done.
4Encourages weight loss
Of course, there is the weight-loss benefit. You can lose up to 600 calories per hour. That’s pretty good considering that rowing is a form of low impact exercise! Other than that, it can offer a healthy ratio between muscle and fat. You can tell this is true just by looking at a rower’s body!
5Promotes full-body exercise
If you think rowing only tackles your arms and your abdominals, that’s where you’re wrong. In reality, more parts of the body are engaged in this exercise—biceps, buttocks, calves, hamstrings, and of course, the lower and middle back. Think of rowing as an all-in-one exercise instead of having to go to the gym where you rely on different machines to work on various areas of the body. Get all of these benefits once you are ready to paddle away!
6Improves muscle strength
For beginners, rowing in the Philippines might pose as a challenge. However, each time you go back out on the water and hold that oar into position inside that boat, you get a chance to strengthen your muscles, especially your quadriceps. These muscles are on the front of your thighs. For them to bulge out and really appear, you need continuous exercise such as rowing to focus on such muscles. As they build strength, you can perform squats and lunges with ease. Plus, the rowing action reinforces your core muscles.
7Encourages teamwork
Rowing in the Philippines gives you a chance to explore new territories. You get to meet new people and gain friends. These are the same people who will encourage you to do your best even if you feel like giving up on yourself. To get to the finish line faster, everyone must observe and learn from one another to ultimately sync as one. With everyone on the same pace and rhythm, the easier it is to become united and tackle obstacles. The biggest challenge that you can face is actually yourself. That is why you need to work as hard as the people around you so that you can all reap all the benefits at the end.
As you can see, rowing is a fun and dynamic sport that will surely challenge your mind, body, and spirit. Like any sport, you will learn more about yourself, and you can push yourself to test your limits. If you think you have what it takes, give it a shot at any of the following places listed below.
Where to try boating
For outdoor rowing:
Manila Boat Club
2442 Havana Street corner Del Pan Street, Sta. Ana, Manila
+63 2 263 2232 / +63 2 473 3944 / +63937 679 9027 / +63917 841 3108
[email protected]
Website, Facebook, Twitter
- The first three sessions are free. Succeeding sessions will require a joining fee, monthly fees, and outing fees.
- Their schedule is as follows:
- Tuesdays and Fridays: 6:00 a.m.
- Sundays: 7:00 a.m.
Manila Dragons
CCP Bay Parking Terminal (beside Harbour Square), Magdalena Jalandoni, Manila
+63995 326 1722 / +63917 525 0485
[email protected]
Website, Facebook, Instagram
- Association Fee: PHP 50 per training
- Monthly Membership Fee: PHP 300
- Their schedule is as follows:
- Tuesdays and Thursdays: 4:45 a.m.
- Saturday and Sundays: 5:30 a.m.
Do note, though, that dragon boat sport uses paddles and comprises of a bigger team! For more options on which dragon boat team to join, you can check out Dragon Boat Philippines’ community Facebook page and website to see a list of existing teams.
For indoor rowing:
Saddle Row
2/F Serendra, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
+63 2 966 3610 / +63977 802 5433
Website, Facebook, Instagram
- Drop In Rate: PHP 750
- First Timer Card (5 Rowing Sessions): PHP 1,500
- Check out their schedule
Did this just entice you to try rowing in the Philippines? Time to get active and learn something new! If you are a rower or have tried the sport already, share with us your experiences through the comments section below or by tagging @Philihappy on Twitter and Instagram!
