by Harry Windsor

Created on: February 18, 2009   Last Updated: February 19, 2009

For rowers, the ergometer (ergo) soon becomes part of the daily routine and certainly it is both loved and hated in almost equal measure. The machines can simulate rowing but only up to a point, having more use in terms of maintaining fitness and exercising the right muscle groups. The great advantage of the ergo is the electronic display which can be used to display and calculate a huge amount of iinformation and set a range of challenges: distance races, timed races, average speeds, stroke rate, stroke strength etc. With this information, one can adjust technique as well as merely improving strength, stamina and endurance.

Having said this, the technological usefulness of an ergometer does not detract from the pain that it can instill. Rowing as a sport is about pushing oneself to the limit physically and, while doing this in a boat, has the added distractions of scenery and the need for a perfect technique, the machine is more about sheer power, fitness and endurance. Whether doing a set of 500 metre sprints, a 2000 metre dash or a longer 10k piece they all require hard graft and end in muscle pain and exhaustion (or at least thats how my coach said they should end!)

The beginning of a piece always brings about a certain sense of nervousness; both about the pain about to be endured and the performance expected (either by oneself or others). Adjusting the seat and feet straps so as to feel as comfortable as possible is vital - it is never good to realize halfway through that you are hitting the seat on the runner or your feet are about to slip out.

The repetitive motion of the stroke means that one is forever approaching and then retreating from the visual display - a constant reminder of ones current performance, how long there is to go and other slightly disheartening facts. The machine is unforgiving - it is always there and however much abuse one gives it in the way of human exertion it remains unmoved. For some this would seem like an effort in futility or even boredom (in this it is similar to any exercise machine) but to those who take to rowing - even if they never even launch a boat - it is possible to learn to love and respect the ergometer.

After all, the machine only reflects the person using it and there can be no doubting the feeling of satisfaction after completing what one set out to do, the wheel slowly winds down to a halt, the seat is covered in sweat and a figure remains on the display, a figure that serves as a measure of the effort put in on the part of the athlete. If unhappy with what has been achieved - well there is always the next time!

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