Indoor rowing: is it a substitution for the Olympic discipline?

Rowing is a popular discipline that is very similar to paddling, with the difference that in rowing, the oars are attached to the boat, while in paddling, they do not tough each other. This activity is an effective way of improving one’s health, building and toning muscles, and relaxation. People who are in for rowing have to work on their endurance, breathing, and physical condition. Since paddling and rowing are summer sports, in cold weather they are substituted by indoor rowing. Nowadays, it is an individual sport, whereas in the past it served as training for ordinary rowing. Why is it so special?

General information

In winter, sportsmen have to use special equipment to train. These exercise machines perfectly imitate ordinary rowing and involve the same muscles in the work. This alternative is a perfect way to train all muscle groups when rowing in the water is not an option. This is what was called indoor rowing. Of course, there are some differences, such as the weather conditions and the surface. Yet, this sport has an advantage, which makes it available for everyone: this discipline requires neither rivers nor good weather conditions. As the time went by, this way of training was becoming more and more popular and soon was recognized as an official independent discipline.

Description

As the officially recognized discipline, indoor rowing does not have a lasting history. In fact, its history lasts for not more than a few decades. The competitions require using special exercise machines imitating rowing. This discipline is considered even harder and more energy consuming than the one it originated from. The main difficulty is that each sportsman has to rely on his or her time only and thus, cannot have rest during the competition.

All the information is transferred from the exercising machines to a big screen. Spectators can see the placement of the sportsmen, and find out who is the first. The screen makes it possible to learn about the distance covered by each sportsman, his or her time, and other characteristics. With the presence of high technologies, it is much easier to determine the winners.

Equipment

Indoor rowing requires using ergometers, which can be defined as “machines used to measure the work done by sportsmen”. These machines are universal from the point of view that they make it possible to measure the effort in almost all types of exercises. In addition, ergometers are often used for physical therapy because they have a special mechanism that keeps track of heart rate. This option helps to prevent sportsmen from losing too much energy. Ergometers are constructed in a special way, so that they have a moveable seat and a surface for one’s feet. This construction helps to imitate the sliding that is common for ordinary rowing. Ergometers are connected with a productivity monitor.

In terms of the competitions, all ergometers must be produced by one company and have equal technical characteristics, such as the degree of amortization. All ergometers must be enumerated and attached to a special non-slippery surface. Organizers must tell sportsmen about their characteristics. In case any ergometer breaks down, there should be replacement parts for them.

Competitive events

Indoor rowing is a discipline that was included in the list of international competitions. Tournaments devoted to this sport are nowadays held in many countries, especially in those places, where exercising outside is not available all year round. The most famous tournament is the C.R.A.S.H.–B.Sprints. This tournament is organized by the University of Boston annually and is unofficially considered the World Championship. Former Olympians organized the very first sprint in 1980. This is when the first ideas appeared. At first, participants were to cover approximately 2500 meters. Nevertheless, in 1996 the riles changed, and the distance was shortened to 2000 meters. Since 2008, these sprints are organized in 58 categories.

Peculiarities of the competitions

Let us take a more detailed look at the competitions. The World Rowing Federation established a set of rules that must be followed in terms of indoor rowing competitions. The tournaments mostly require covering a 2000 meters’ distance, which is similar to the one that is covered by Olympic champions. Yet, sometimes it differs and varies from 500 to 6000 meters. Relay races, or something very similar to them, can be present as well. In this case, a 250 or 500 meters’ distance must be covered four times.

All competitions are divided into several categories in accordance with their significance. The first category includes the most desirable tournaments, such as the Boston sprints, or National Championships. The second category is for the competitions that are organized within particular regions. Finally, the third one includes local tournaments.

According to how significant a competition is, it must fulfill the following requirements:

• Speaking of the first category, the area used for the competition must be at least 20 km². There should be at least 12 machines with the distance between them not less than 0.75 meters. As for the area for spectators, it must be at least 180 km².
• As for the second category, the area must be at least 80 km² with the presence of eight machines. Spectators are placed in the area of 120 km².
• Finally, local competitions must have at least six machines placed in the area of 60 km².

Different groups of sportsmen can take part in competitions. Both men and women compete in this discipline. There are no age restrictions for sportsmen, because the youngest participants can take part in the competition before they turn 13. All of them are weighted before the beginning of the tournament. The minimum is 72.5 kilos for male sportsmen and 59.0 kilos for female participants. This procedure takes place on the day of a particular competition. In some cases, participants can be allowed to compete along with older sportsmen. They must have a medical allowance for it.

Races

Indoor rowing starts when all sportsmen sit on their ergometers. Organizers make sure that everyone is present, and that nobody wants to withdraw from participation. Before the start, all rowers put the handle into the starting position and get ready for beginning. Then the system is turned on by a representative of technical team to make sure that no one gets a head start. In case a false start is recorded, all procedure repeats one more time. Then all sportsmen begin the race, which ends as soon as a rower completes the goal that is written on the screen. The amount of time he or she has spent determines their place.

All in all, indoor rowing is a discipline that is available everywhere and for everyone. This sport is a perfect way to tone one’s muscles and improve one’s endurance. Some people believe that it may replace ordinary rowing in the Olympic Games, which is actually possible due to the popularity of this sport.