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The design of a rowing machine is obviously based on a rowboat, specifically a sculling boat. These boats are especially popular in England and college campuses about the world with access to a body of water. These boats provide a great workout and a wonderful way to get low impact exercise outside.

Early Days of Rowing Machine Design

In order to mimic the whole body workout sculling gives you, the design of rowing machines makes them look peculiar, but does gives you the workout. Technically, an indoor rowing machine is called an "ergometer" or "ergo." All indoor rowing machines include a device (also called an ergometer) that measures how far you are rowing (or, how much of a workout you are doing).

The first rowing machine was made about a hundred years ago. Designs of rowing machines have changed since those early days, making them lighter, easier to store and sleeker. The first designs of rowing machines, around 1900’s, were based on pneumatic pressure to drive the rowing motion.

They were very heavy because they were made of iron. You had to row a solid iron wheel around to get your workout. Ouch. Unsurprisingly, this did not catch on.

The 1980’s

We now fast forward to the 1980’s, where the design of rowing machines was given a makeover. Instead of using pneumatic pressure, they now used air resistance. You just can’t row the oars back and forth on a hinge. The workout comes from the resistance the water gives the oars. Also, it was now made with much lighter materials, but was still sturdy. Athletes said the improvements in the design of rowing machines now accurately mimic what it feels like to row a real boat.

Indoor Rowing Today

With the changes in designs to indoor rowing machines, it was possible for anyone to train on a rowing machine and not just Olympic athletes. Indoor rowing is now considered a sport in it’s own right, where the race isn’t who crosses the finish line first, but who reaches a certain distance on the ergometer first.

Without a doubt rowing machines have changed a lot over the years, but they have changed to be all the better. However, what you get out of a rowing machine is completely up to you and how much you use it. Most people who purchase home gym equipment use it for a few months, and then put it in the closet for good. Please don’t be one of these lazy people.

Your health and fitness are too important, so make a commitment to yourself to use your rowing machine at least 3 days a week. Your back will thank you for it later in life.