What is Indoor Rowing:

An indoor rower, or rowing machine, is a machine used to simulate the action of on-water rowing for the purpose of exercise and training for rowing. Over the years, indoor rowing has become a sport in its own right. Indoor rowing machines are often known as ergometers and there are a few brands, competitions use the Concept2 brand. The Concept2 machines are consistent but the rowers can adjust the resistance as they wish, these adjustments have no bearing upon the results or fairness of the event.

There are many indoor rowing competitions held all over the world and even virtually online. The world championships, called the CRASH-B Sprints is held in Boston, Massachusetts each year. Many of the satellite indoor rowing competitions are feeder events/qualifiers for the CRASH-B’s.

The 2000-meter distance is the core event for most competitions but many events include a sprint event or two (100m-500m) and sometimes team relay events.

Competitions are organized into categories based on sex, age, ability and weight class. While the fastest times are generally achieved by rowers between 20 and 40 years old, teenagers and rowers over 90 are common at competitions.