by Matthew Moss

Created on: February 20, 2009

To me, an ergometer (also called erg) is a quality piece of equipment. The quality of it lies in its ability to not only give someone a great workout, but to also make them groan in pain after one such workout. Any relationship (at least mine, anyway) with an erg is always love/hate. It is surely a great device, but the amount of pain and discomfort it can cause can surely make any rower cringe.

The best things about the erg are its small size, its fairly portable, and it doesn't make one rely on the weather in order to work out. It can be used just about anywhere indoor, which allows a rower to erg in almost any desired environment (especially one without rain). During the long winter months, an erg allows rowers to maintain their form and improve it if necessary. Without an erg, practicing the rowing stroke would be harder and less beneficial. It really is a great simulation of being in the water, and in addition to helping a rower keep his/her form, it also provides a great workout. Ergs can also be fun! I know it's hard to believe, but its true! Ergs can be used to have indoor relay competitions amongst teammates, which is a pleasantly competitive and enjoyable break from the norm.
Ergs are probably one of the most painful devices I personally have ever encountered. The worst thing about an erg structurally is probably the handle and the seat. The handle is hard plastic in the newer models, which can cause many uncomfortable blisters. The seat is also tricky, because failure to sit on it correctly can lead to a very uncomfortable ten-kilometer erg session. By far, however, the worst part about the erg is the two types of rowing workouts it really offers. There is long, steady distance, and short sprint pieces. Long stead distance workouts are usually upwards of five kilometers to ten or even twelve kilometers. Sprint pieces are usually something like 1 minute on, 1 minute off x6, or something like a pyramid building up to a two-kilometer with increments of 500 meters. Those are brutal. The difference between the two is that sprint pieces are short, but they really take a lot out of a rower in a short amount of time. Sprint pieces really make one feel beat. On the other side are the unforgiving long steady distance pieces. These sets don't require large amounts of energy immediately, but they slowly bleed you of all your energy and water. Long steady distances are probably the type of workout that makes a rower the most dehydrated. Every long steady piece I have done, for example, there is always massive water loss. They also get so boring. Imagine doing an erg workout for 30 minutes, and not going anywhere, you never leave the erg room. It is truly unpleasant.
For all its faults, I don't think I could live without an erg, in fact I would say that all rowers rely on the erg as much as they rely on a boat or an oar. It really isn't essential to the sport, but many rowers would say that it is a crucial part of staying in shape and perfecting technique when getting in a boat isn't practical. The erg is a great piece of equipment for all rowers, no matter how much pain it can cause, and that's why we both love it and hate it.

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