MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: JAREK R.

This member spotlight is part of Member Appreciation Month 2025. After seeing that he was logging impressive meters at the beginning of the year, the Ergatta team was both impressed and inspired, so we asked Jarek a few questions to learn more about his Ergatta journey, his overall training, and some of his other hobbies! Read on to learn about Jarek’s accomplishments both on and off the rower, and get to know a little more about a fellow Ergatta member.

How did you hear about Ergatta, and what got you started with rowing?

I first heard about Ergatta while researching ways to bring more structure and engagement to my Concept 2 rowing training. After years of high-impact endurance training, I transitioned to rowing from ultrarunning, which took a toll on my joints. Rowing allowed me to continue pushing my endurance limits while building strength and power in a low-impact environment.

Tell us about your rowing journey.

My journey into rowing has been anything but conventional. I spent years as an ultra-endurance athlete, running 80-100 miles a week while also strength training daily. After placing first in a 100km trail race, I started looking for a way to continue my endurance pursuits without the wear and tear of high-mileage running. Rowing became my new challenge, and I went all-in—logging over 200km per week, refining my technique, and even building a home training setup with an RP3 and a Concept2. Now, I love rowing on an erg and would love to continue mastering indoor rowing, aiming to eventually become competitive in the sport.

What are some of your favorite Ergatta workouts?

I love the push programs and race-style workouts. They bring a competitive edge that keeps training exciting and intense. I also enjoy long endurance rows with a progressive challenge—rowing for 60+ minutes steadily and pushing myself to negatively split the final segments. The structured intervals have been great for fine-tuning my pacing and power output.

Do you have any fitness goals you’re working towards?

Right now, I’m laser-focused on becoming a competitive indoor rower. I’m aiming for a sub-7-minute 2km. My long-term vision is to build an elite endurance base while maintaining strength and explosiveness. Beyond rowing, I’m also training in freediving to improve my spearfishing performance, which requires a blend of endurance, breath-hold capacity, and efficiency in the water.

What helps you to stay consistent with your workout routine?

Discipline, not motivation, is the key. I train every day—whether I feel like it or not—because it’s part of who I am. I structure my workouts so that I can train multiple times per day without burnout, and I prioritize recovery through proper nutrition, sleep, and contrast therapy. I also have the best coaches at my performance clinic, Eliv8MD. Having clear goals and tracking progress keeps me locked in. Ergatta helps by adding variety and competition, making every session feel like a new challenge.

What’s your best piece of advice for Ergatta members on their fitness journey?

Find what drives you, set clear standards for yourself, and consistently meet them. You don’t need to feel 100% daily to make progress—you need to show up. Train smart, listen to your body, and make adjustments when required, but never let excuses get in the way. Rowing is a long game, and small daily efforts compound into huge gains over time.

Any hobbies or fun facts you’d like to share?

Outside of rowing, I have a background in Air Force special operations, and I’m pursuing a PhD in computer science, focusing on deep learning for computer vision. I’m also a massive fan of cooking—especially baking, grilling, and making ice cream. Recently, I’ve been getting into spearfishing, which combines my love for endurance training and being in the water. If I’m not rowing, I’m probably lifting, swimming, or experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen.

Thanks for being an incredible part of our community, Jarek. Stay tuned for more member spotlights in this series!