The crew returns to the water in early February. The focus of GMU's training regime is success in 2000-meter sprint racing. Sprint racing requires a massive effort by the athlete that quickly surpasses the body's ability to process oxygen, thereby forcing a transition from aerobic to anaerobic energy production. This is very painful. Preparation is made through rowing workouts of varying intensity supplemented by strength training on land.
Individual progress is tracked by regular erg tests and other measurements.