Skip to main content

Intro: Rowing is one of the most efficient full-body cardio exercises in fitness — legs, core, back, and lungs all working together. The 100-calorie row is a classic benchmark in HYROX and CrossFit circles for good reason: it’s brutal, scalable, and revealing.

In this RB100 challenge, we take it head-on: Row 100 calories in a single session.


Equipment You’ll Need

  • Concept2 Rower (or equivalent with calorie tracking)
  • Optional: Heart rate monitor to gauge aerobic vs anaerobic threshold

Suggested Formats

  • Max Effort: How fast can you row 100 calories?
  • Paced Row: Maintain consistent 500m split and finish strong
  • Interval Format: 10×10 cal with 30–60 sec rest
  • Partner Workout: Share the work, switch every 10–20 cal

Why It Works

  • Full-body engagement (legs, back, arms, core)
  • Easily trackable and repeatable test
  • Builds lactate threshold and cardiovascular endurance
  • Transfers to ski erg, assault bike, and even run pacing

Tips for Success

  • Focus on strong, consistent pulls — don’t rush the stroke
  • Keep your damper setting between 4–6 for most efficient output
  • Watch stroke rate: aim for power per pull, not just speed

Pair it with:


External Resources:

every stroke counts.

RB100.Fitness
Richard

Richard Branson is a fitness and wellbeing enthusiast with a passion for HYROX, cycling, and technology. He shares insights at the intersection of performance, wellbeing, and innovation.

compound-lifts Athlete in gym part way through a compund lift
Build Bulletproof Strength: The 100 Rep Compound ChallengePodcastStrength

Build Bulletproof Strength: The 100 Rep Compound Challenge

Chris DChris DSeptember 11, 2025
Colourful plate of whole food ingredients — greens, salmon, sweet potato, avocado — overlay text- 100% Whole Food Day
#28: Try a 100% Whole Food DayNutrition & RecoveryRB100 Challenges

#28: Try a 100% Whole Food Day

RichardRichardJanuary 28, 2025
Person mid-kettlebell swing in morning light, garage or garden setting, overlay text- 100 Kettlebell Swings Before Breakfast
#11: 100 Kettlebell Swings Before BreakfastRB100 ChallengesStrength

#11: 100 Kettlebell Swings Before Breakfast

RichardRichardJanuary 11, 2025