This is a question we are asked often at boat shows and on social media. People are becoming more aware of the benefits of exercise and want to be active while they are outdoors. They already know that rowing is good exercise, but what they want to know is what kind of rowboat is the best for getting that exercise and why.
People who are into rowing a boat for exercise are not thinking about grunting it out while sharing space working out indoors on sweaty gym rugs breathing recycled air. They think how nice and fresh the air is out on the water. Exercising their hearts and lungs while building massive core strength and burning off a few hundred calories that is simply a byproduct of enjoying themselves. They think that rowing is totally fun and enjoyable, does not stress their knees, and a great way to get fit and stay fit.
However, the boat they use can make a big difference to the enjoyment, quality, and safety of their experience. It is imperative to note that for exercise, fitness and a full body workout, having a proper sliding seat or sliding rigger setup is essential. With this kind of gear the power of both legs used together supplies over two-thirds of the thrust, with the back and arms supplying the other third.
Plus, all of the forces involved are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the body. In the narrow type of racing shell used for mainly competitive rowing, no personal gear is carried. Even clothing is limited to Lycra type stretch gear. These racing crafts have evolved to be very fast but at the expense of strength and stability as racing shells are fragile and very tippy.
The appeal is competition based and these individuals often work out indoors training on rowing machines in sweaty gyms. Traditional rowboats have been around for thousands of years and like most things have evolved into specialized craft, some of which are great for recreational rowing.
The propulsive power of a single person rowing with sculling oars is about the same as that of two paddlers. An evolved modern traditional rowboat of the right size will work very well for a single oarsman.
Such a rowboat has good stability, maneuvers easily, and moves efficiently over a broad range of speeds. With a larger open interior, it is easy to store cameras, fishing gear, snacks, extra clothing, etc. Here are some important qualities that make a good exercise rowboat :.
Some people may be disappointed with the idea of rowing anything less than the fastest thing available. The reality is that you can get the same or even better quality exercise at a slower pace with the higher resistance of a more seaworthy traditional boat. With a faster boat, you may move through the water faster, but you will have a higher stroke rate with less resistance.
In a traditional boat, you will burn the same amount of calories and work your heart and lungs at the same level using a lower stroke rate with higher resistance. And you will likely find the slower pace much more enjoyable. Centuries ago, before engines, there were hundreds of traditional working-type boats intended for carrying heavy loads and fitted with fixed seats and heavy short traditional wooden oars.
They were heavy, making them hard to row, transport and launch, and wider, with high sides and more wind resistance. The exception was a design that stood out above all others for its beauty and renowned for speed and ease of handling.
This was the Whitehall. This boat was designed not for carrying cargo but for transporting people. It was fondly called the Bicycle of the Sea.
These boats are produced in small quantities, and with high quality, making them comparatively more expensive. But what is your fitness, health and well being worth? At shows, when talking to people, I point out that what you spend on a good boat now, you will likely save on medical expenses later.
And in a dozen or two years still be active, fit, still rowing, and still enjoying life. Regarding racing-style shells and with due respect to the several million shell rowers found worldwide:. When you have just one person in the boat using a pair of oars, one in each hand, this is known, in the rowing world, as sculling. You generate more power with a pair of oars, and it is better, smoother exercise. Rowing makes it easy to go straight ahead because you apply power equally on both sides.
The oar blades are farther out from the sides, making it easier to turn. And with two oars in the water you can stroke forward on one side and backward on the other and spin the boat around.
Solo rowing in a good design feels kind of like driving a sports car. With only one person in the boat, it will accelerate and stop more quickly. With a passenger or even two others aboard, in a Whitehall design, boat speed will not be seriously affected as once the boat is up to speed the added weight adds to the inertia.
Also, the power of using a pair of oars acting as giant levers means turning, maneuvering and stopping is not seriously affected. This is not difficult. The opposite oar handle can be pushed against to help the turn. This turn to look is very good for the back and neck and over months and years helps prevent stiffening as one ages. When rowing and you feel you need to look ahead again, simply take a glance. Several years ago we looked at the thousands of paddle boards on the water and wondered if there was a way to convert them into sculling type rowing boats.
Paddle boards are designed to be paddled while standing up hence the name standup paddle board or SUP and are quite stable, much more so than a rowing shell type of rowboat. We designed, built and experimented with equipping paddle boards with fit-on-top slide seat sculling setups. This slows the board and feels uncomfortable.
The glide is smooth and there is no trace of the hobbyhorse effect. This is not novel technology as we found sliding rowing rig drawings dating way back to In the late s, the German Olympic rowing challengers introduced a sliding rigger rowing system that proved to actually be a few percent faster than conventional sliding seat rigs. Rather than convert thousands of racing shells to sliding rigger systems, the worldwide governing body of the sport of competitive rowing, FISA, simply outlawed it.
Sliding riggers quickly disappeared from the rowing scene. Being compact and light is very important. What is the Best Rowboat for Exercise and Fitness.
Here are some important qualities that make a good exercise rowboat : It is easy to transport, launch or keep in a handy location. It is easy to board and disembark. It has enough stability to keep you upright without any effort. It moves easily at the power levels you will be producing. It can handle the water conditions wind, waves, and wakes you will be rowing in. You can bring a passenger, your dog, cameras, lunch, etc, along.
Most rowboats fall into one of two types: traditional rowboats, or racing-style shells. Regarding racing-style shells and with due respect to the several million shell rowers found worldwide: They are intended for winning races, not for enjoyable rowing. They are very narrow and unstable in the water. You need to actively make an effort to keep them upright.
This makes them hard to maneuver in the water and very difficult to transport and store. They are very fragile and breakable. Having outriggers extending out from the sides makes them difficult to board and disembark. No room for passengers. They are decked over with little or no space for cargo.
They are not seaworthy enough to handle chop, wakes, wind or waves. They are very specialized, very expensive, and one usually has to belong to a rowing club to go rowing. Rowing Solo for Exercise When you have just one person in the boat using a pair of oars, one in each hand, this is known, in the rowing world, as sculling. A fast all-water rowboat will be traveling along at a maximum speed of 5 or 6 miles an hour 8KK or say about jogging speed.
You are not covering a vast distance in a short time requiring constant visual attention. A glance ahead is easy to do and is enough to always know what is ahead at all times. Want to really survey the area? Simply spin the boat with your oars. Some people use forward facing mirrors like the rearview ones on a car that show a large area. This is ok, but a glance ahead with your eyes is best.
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