• What is indoor rowing?

    Indoor Rowing, otherwise known as Ergometer Rowing after the name of the equipment used for this type of sport, has been widely used in training and preparation of athletes for many years. But recently, indoor rowing has grown from a tool for off-the-water training for the serious rower to a sport in its own right Nearly every rowing nation now holds National Ergometer Championships, the longest running and best known probably being the CrashB’s, held every year in February in Boston, USA. Ergometers have been used in rowing training since the 50s and 60s in many countries. The earliest examples were huge metal contraptions with a big sold fly-wheel, and were desperately hated by all oarsmen and oarswomen.

    The 80s saw the development of some lighter, slightly more rower-friendly machines such as the Repco, which had a wheel which acted against air resistance. Some years later, the highly technical Gjessing, from Norway was designed and became the internationally accepted standard measuring tool which was used around the world. It was only later that the Dreissigackers came out with the Concept2 which had the great advantage of being light, relatively inexpensive, and consistent, so that wherever you were, and on whatever machine, you could compare your score with others. From this the idea of ergometer racing developed, notably the CrashBs, in Boston, as it became possible to compare the scores from a large number of machines rowed at once.

    The rowing ergometer is now commonplace in fitness centres all over the world, introducing non-rowers to the rowing action and giving them the opportunity to compete in ergometer competitions. The ergometer has become the standard tool for judging a rower's speed over 2,000 metres, it has become a fixture in boathouses and gymnasiums around the world, being also widely used by athletes of other sports for cross training.

  • Equipment

    Concept 2

    Training tools for competitive rowers since 1981.

    Model D

    Model D: the erg of choice for rowing programs worldwide.

    Model E

    Model E: higher, tougher, ideal for public facilities.

    The Dynamic

    The Dynamic: designed to meet specific training needs of the competitive rowing athlete.

    For more information on Concept2 Indoor Rowers, please visit www.concept2.com

     

    Oartec

    Oartec

    Oartec is a rowing company committed to designing, manufacturing and marketing innovative rowing products for the performance rowing market.  It is a major supplier of rowing machines for the rowing club, school, home use and commercial fitness markets.  With a long association and strong background within the sport of rowing they design products that specialize in improving the benefits and value of land based rowing training, please visit www.oartec.com

     

    Rowperfect

    Row Perfect

    The Rowperfect3 (RP3) rowing simulator has been designed to simulate as closely as possible the dynamical and mechanical properties of a racing shell. It is the world's only rowing machine that truly simulates the dynamics of a light racing shell, freely floating on the water. The main frame with its flywheel, stretcher and seat are the boat simulating parts and the main bar simulates the water. The rower’s body does not move up and down the whole length of the main bar but stays still, while the main frame moves, simulating the boat moving underneath the rower. As a result there are no peak loads on lower back and knees which are often the cause of injury.

    In its patented design, the flywheel assembly weighs about 17.5 kg’s which closely approximates the weight (per person) of most racing shells. The seat needs balancing as in a boat, forcing the rower to sit and pull symmetrically.

    The Rowperfect3 is build for rowers who want to improve their technique, and take their performance to the next level. The free software program gives the rower direct feedback by showing their power curve every stroke. This way the rower is able to learn how to row more efficiently, and crews can synchronise their technique and row faster.The Rowperfect3 is able to connect to other Rowperfects so you can build a double, a quad or even an eight.

    Go to www.rowperfect3.com for more details.

     

    WaterRower

    Water Rower

    WaterRower has been making a wide selection of rowing machines for over 20 years combining stylish design, hand crafted workmanship, and ethically sourced materials. The WaterRower’s unique WaterFlyWheel was invented by former US team oarsman John Duke in 1988 and all the machines are still made in WaterRower’s own factory in Rhode Island, USA, please visit www.waterrower.com.

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