“…A Revelation.” Veteran Rower Reflects on Structural Evaluation by Coach Kaehler
December 5, 2009
My structural evaluation with Bob Kaehler was a revelation. While doing a thorough check of my strengths and weaknesses, he quickly pinpointed a few weaknesses and imbalances that need attention. Everything he said resonated with my own experience. He proposed a very manageable regime of stretching and strengthening exercises for me, and I am amazed that in a brief time I see real improvement in my rowing stroke, getting noticeably more meters per stroke. I also have an increased awareness of how my body is working, and can notice and correct errors that were going unnoticed. The evaluation process was very interesting, and I was very pleased with the outcome.
Jan Stone
Princeton, NJ
Testimonials from the November 22nd “Strength Training for Rowers” Clinic
November 25, 2009
“The Strength Training for Rowers clinic has given me the knowledge to build an effective program around my own specific needs, both as a coach and an athlete. Knowing the anatomy and the purpose behind typical strength training methods allows me to design the most efficient and balanced program for my rowers. This clinic has undoubtedly added a great deal of quality to all of my rowing programs”.
Josh Gautreau
Head Coach and Program Developer
River Rowing Association
“ I enjoyed the clinic very much, and would definitely recommend it to all coaches and athletes who are involved in the sport of rowing. Coach Kaehler’s knowledge and overall presentation was extremely impressive, and the hands on approach with almost 1 on 1 attention was incredible.”
Thank you so much for your time, enthusiasm, and energy.
Bonnie M.
Rowing Coach,
Philadelphia, PA
EARC Lightweight Enjoys Rowing, Again!!
November 18, 2009
For years I had recurring back pain from rowing. It wasn’t anything to keep me out of the sport until I began dramatically increasing the volume and intensity of my workouts, and then I found that the pain was too great to row. I saw a chiropractor, a sports therapist and everyone in between, but nobody could solve the problem. After several weeks of not rowing but not feeling any better, I met with Coach Kaehler (the night before the 2009 Head of the Charles!). It was clear that he understood the way the athlete’s body works far more intricately than anyone I had met with previously. He determined the source of the problem, and assigned me a routine of simple yet effective stretches and strengthening exercises to work on. A few weeks later, I am nearly pain free, and am finally able to practice every day. I am convinced that Coach Kaehler is the reason for my improvement, and can’t thank him enough for meeting with me.
Freshman EARC –Lightweight
** This evaluation process was not done as a medical treatment. This approach corrects strength and flexibility imbalances that limit performance in all athlete’s. It is always recommended that individuals with symptoms be treated by a medical practitioner first!
Head of the Charles Results
October 24, 2009
We want to congratulate all of Coach Kaehler clients who participated at the Head of the Charles on October 17-18, 2009.
Michael Stolper – Grand Master’s Single – 1st place
This is the second year (2008, 2009 gold medal winner) Coach Kaehler has helped Michael to a 1st place finish. Michael is the only athlete in this event who won medals in both 2008 and 2009. Great job Michael!!!
Bridget Gribben – Youth Double – 2nd place
Bridget rows on the water for Molly Konopka at Episcopal Academy and had a great year to date. Coach Kaehler has assisted Bridget with her strength training program and additional ergometer work beyond her regular training plan from Molly. Congratulations to Bridget, Emily and Molly
Jamie Koven, Rich Caputo, and Porter Collins – Championship Eight – 14th place
The Brown Alumni 8+ fared well in the championship eight placing ahead of many top college programs. This race is now loaded with many National Team Boats. These guys had one practice before the event and it seemed to go fast.
St. Joe’s Prep rower returns to rowing after a “Structural Evaluation”!
July 20, 2009
“The back pain I had before working with Coach Kaehler was extensive. I had trouble walking up and down steps and in between classes. I received cortisone shots and saw a physical therapist, but the pain never subsided. Coach Kaehler, who worked as the strength and conditioning coach for the St. Joe’s Prep’s rowing team this year, put me through his structural evaluation. Within a few minutes of being evaluated by Coach Kaehler he had identified the source of my back pain, and then he instructed me on the corrective exercises which helped to restore my musculoskeletal balance which corrected my problem. Within three weeks I was finishing entire workouts without pain and by continuing to do the exercises I had a successful and pain free rowing season. I cannot thank him enough for allowing me the opportunity to compete again.”
Matt Krmpotich
St. Joe’s Preparatory College Rower, 2009
Junior Athletes Andrew and Chris Shlaepfer set sights on college rowing
April 8, 2009
Juniors Andrew and Chris Schlaepfer, Participants,
Coach Kaehler’s Training Camp, Pocock Rowing Center
Phil Schlaepfer (53) and his two sons, Andrew (17) and Chris (16) recently participated in Kaehler’s February weekend training camp, at the Pocock Rowing Center in Seattle, Wa. Phil Schlaepfer rowed in college at the Naval Academy. He rowed in the varsity crew for 4 years.
Phil comments on his sons’ experience at Kaehler’s camp:
“I am thrilled that my sons Andrew (17) and Chris (16) enjoy rowing. I would like to give them the opportunity to take their rowing to the level of success they are capable of.
Bob was clearly an elite rower. It was impressive to see him pull on the erg, and know how incredibly strong he is. He is current in his approach to training, and is aware of what’s important to train for peak performance.
He really inspired and motivated Andrew and Chris. They now train 5 days a week at their high school, and (separately) lift 3 days a week using Bob’s techniques and handouts.
Since completing the camp two months ago, both sons have significantly improved their erg splits, and have since set additional aggressive goals for the summer.
Bob gave them the confidence to move forward in their training and goals which now include college rowing.”
Sara Sargent’s Structural Evaluation
February 22, 2009
The “structural evaluation” test which Bob put me through is a valuable tool to determine an athlete’s weaknesses and strengths. My testing was sport specific, rowing. Bob then demonstrated and set up a “corrective exercise” program which can be easily incorporated along with one’s training goals, i.e., my erg/rowing and weight lifting. For me more so than ever, it is imperative that I follow through with the program probably for the rest of my life, as I have a long history of back issues – injuries and accidents from the past.
Congratulations on Winning the CRASH-B’s 2009
Sara Sargent, Veteran Rower
Volpenhein teams with Kaehler for Pocock Camp
January 15, 2009
Bryan Volpenhein is a 2004 Olympic Gold medalist, 2008 Olympic bronze medalist, and a 3-time world champion (1998, 1999 and 2005).
Bryan Volpenhein trained with Bob Kaehler as part of the 2008 Men’s National Team heading into the Bejing Olympics. Volpehein stroked the mens’ 8+ to a bronze medal finish. He currently uses Kaehler’s training program together with his team of elite lightweight rowers at the Pocock Rowing Center in Seattle, WA.
Volpenhein comments on Coach Kaehler’s training program:
Bob’s a very positive person. He brings so much positivity and “can do” energy to rowing.
His background in physical therapy gives him a unique perspective (on training). He’s familiar with common injuries and understands how to prevent them. Instead of just focusing on making rowing muscles stronger, he addresses your weaknesses to prevent injuries.
With Bob’s program, the whole body becomes fatigued, and in the long run, the whole body becomes stronger. It’s a complete strength program that focuses on the entire body system. His program develops balance, coordination as well as strength.
Using Bob’s approach, I felt myself becoming fitter, better coordinated, and less prone to injuries.
It’s now the program that I use to workout with my elite lightweight rowers at Pocock.
Bryan Volpenhein – Olympic and World Champion Rower
(Bryan is the bowman in the above picture)
Koven enlists conditioning expertise
January 15, 2009
Bob is the real deal! We rowed together for years on the national team. I recently started to train for triathlons and for The Henley Royal Regatta as part of the Brown Alumni Rowing Team so I have engaged Bob to do everything. His workouts for me entail a fun and creative mix of rowing, biking, running and swimming with specialized weight workouts combined with adequate recovery time. The workouts mesh well with my work and family schedule and 6 months into it I’ve achieved results that I hadn’t seen since 2000. Bob’s nutritional guidance has also helped allow for more efficient recovery – pretty key now that I’m in my mid 30’s. There is no better investment for a “Masters’ Athlete” who wants to improve their game.
Jamie Koven – World Champion 1x, 8+
(photo: Jamie Koven, middle)
Kaehler Trains Ahrens for 2009 Henley Royal Regatta
January 14, 2009
Training Princeton 1999
Chris Ahrens is a 2004 Olympic Gold medalist and a four- time World Champion (1995, 1997, 1998, and 1999).
Ahrens is currently training for the 2009 Henley Royal Regatta, in Henley, England.
Ahrens comments on Coach Kaehler’s training program:
It’s great to be in shape. I like feeling strong and physically capable.
When you’re not a professional athlete though, you have to fit your training around your life. I want to be efficient and not get hurt.
I could put together a program. But I end up missing workouts, shifting things around, then straining a muscle, or going weeks without seeing improvements. That approach doesn’t move me toward my goal.
Bob tailors a program that’s sensitive to my traveling schedule and family life. He keeps things interesting by mixing up the workouts. He knows, for instance, that I hate running and like biking, so he builds that into my program.
Bob’s program is not only effective, its fun. What’s fun for me about training is improving. The workouts are definitely hard, but I see improvements. I now feel confident in my training. Therefore I’ll feel confident when I have to perform.
Chris Ahrens, – Olympic and World Champion Rower