The following is reprinted from Row As One's Newsletter, Reach.

Erg Heaven
You've decided to do a 2000 meter erg test once a month because...hmm. Because you want to! Because your coach wants you to. Because your teammates want you to. Anyway, your scores do not change even after 3 months. What’s happening?

To answer this question you need to have kept a careful log of your workouts. Without them you and/or a coach will have a hard time solving the mystery. If you do not presently keep a training log, and have made a commitment to improving your erg score, I highly recommend that you begin to keep one. Here’s what you need to record:

Ways to improve your 2000 meter erg score:

	Go a little further than your eventual racing distance for 4 weeks: 1x/week do 3x2200 meters @ full pressure, or whatever pace you need to go at in order to achieve the same time for each piece, and @ 75% of your desired race pace (stroke rating). You may find that the first piece feels easier than the next two. The last one may be very difficult. Hang in there!
	Begin your first week by doing the pieces @ 90% pressure with the goal of achieving the same time for each piece. Don’t worry if you have difficulty doing this your first time.
	Record your meters faithfully after every piece, and any fluctuations in your stroke ratings. Estimate what kind of 500 meter splits you have to maintain in order to achieve the same time for each 2200 meter piece.
	Record your heart rate immediately after the last stroke of each piece in your training journal. It's time to push your pace when you notice that the last piece is feeling easier, and your heart rate is beginning to lower.
	After 4 weeks, go to 3x2000 meters @ 90% of your desired race pace. Record your times and heart rate in your training journal. Keep going for even splits, but challenge yourself to lower them by no more than a couple of seconds, unless you have made dramatic progress (which is quite possible).
	Now move to your desired race pace. Good luck! Enjoy your progress.