Yes, size matters. But we're not talking about your physical size because that is just one of many factors. Other factors such as your strength, cardiovascular capacity, and technique are also factors in determining your pure rowing ability.
This would suggest that over the last few decades, the ideal rowing body is an individual who is tall. This is supported by the analysis of American 1992 Olympian rowers, with the males average height being 194.1cm and females being 178.6cm.
Rowers are Tall
World-class rowers have long "levers" (their arms and legs) so that they can make long strokes. Male Olympians tend to be between 1.90m and 1.95m (6'3"-6'5") and females 1.80m-185m (5'11"-6'1").
The heavier the rower, the more drag on the boat, and the more power that rower will have to produce to be equal to their lighter teammate. The erg does not penalize the heavier rower in this way, so a heavier rower may appear to have a higher potential than they really have when it is time to get into the boat.
The position limits both length and power. In summary, if you have ever wondered if shorter rowers have a disadvantage over taller rowers, it's all in how much you practice, how well you work on your form, and the tenacity with which you push yourself to be the best you can be.
20s and 30s
Many single scullers reach their peak in their late 20s early 30s. In masters rowing, high-energy athletes in this age group often train 6 to 9 sessions per week including land and water workouts.
College rowers are generally tall, strong, move well for their size and have a tremendous motor. For elite rowing programs, heavyweight rowers are regularly taller than 6'3” and weigh from 195 to 215 pounds and more.
Rower Body Type
Rowers tend to be bigger. Rowing utilizes every major muscle group in your body. Starting with the legs, a rowing stroke also requires a strong back, hips, and arm muscles. It's easy to imagine that more weight might drag the boat down, but it's actually more important to have the bigger muscle mass.
The rower, also called an erg, combines cardio and strength, so you're burning calories and building muscle that will help you stay lean.
While your professional counterparts may be strongly built due to an expertly paired lifting regimen, a regular rowing machine class will not cause you to bulk up. In fact, the cardiovascular workout you'll get from it will help burn additional calories!
The rower's body tends to have a larger muscle mass as rowing utilizes every major muscle group, meaning a strong rowing stroke requires good leg muscles, a broad back, wide hips, rock-solid core muscles, and toned arm muscles. Rowers normally have a lean body mass but are incredibly powerful.
Rowing is perhaps the very best full-body workout, and that's not hyperbole—rowing engages 86 percent of your muscles. And the 2,000-meter row is the gold standard test for rowing athletes as the official distance used in rowing championships. It's an excellent fitness barometer for novice rowers, too.
Rowers are some of the strongest, fittest athletes in the world, thanks to training for a sport that works every muscle in the body and requires extreme stamina.
8, the Stroke Seat, is usually the hardest to row. In event listings, the last name of the Stroke Seat rower will be listed. It's important to remember that all three sections of the boat are equally important. The coxswain is the one who directs and is the eyes and ears and mouth of the boat.
The taller the athlete the more potential there is for a greater stroke length, combined with stoke frequency (the number of strokes) this can ultimately lead to greater efficiency and speed over the water.
Tall people generally row faster than shorter people. Stronger people row faster than others also. A conditioned, strong person rows even faster. Anything around 6:00 for a male and 7:00 for a female is world class.
YOU'RE LOSING FAT – AND GAINING MUSCLE
But you're also gaining muscle. Though rowing isn't necessarily the most effective or efficient ways to gain muscle, it's not unusual for rowers to add muscle mass in their legs. That can obviously affect the reading on the scale.
Yes, you can get six-pack abs from rowing machine workouts, but it won't happen overnight, it takes time and dedication. You have to row consistently for months before you'll see results.
You'll get a full-body workout
Maybe you think rowing = ripped arms. But according to the American Fitness Professionals Association, rowing is 65 to 75 percent legs and 25 to 35 percent upper bod. It'll shred your upper back, pecs, arms, abs, and obliques. It'll also strengthen those quads, calves, and glutes.
Rowing is hard and utilizes every major muscle of you body- your arms, legs, abdomen, even the tips of your fingers. Every muscle counts. A rower must push with their legs, pull with their arms, and remain strong and steady through their core. Even a sudden head tilt will offset the boat and cause a dip to one side.
In fact, Dr. Nichol says rowing uses 85 percent of the body's total muscle mass - far more than either running or cycling. The rowing stroke begins at the 'catch' with an explosive drive of the legs, utilising the quads, calves and glutes to extend the knees and hips.
Unlike other forms of exercise, using a rowing machine simultaneously works your cardio and muscles for strength. Not only does it build muscles and tone your arms, but it also burns fat. Being a rower makes you have very little to no arm fat. Pure muscle makes it.
Male versus Female Rowing Times
The fastest time for a male 500m row is 1:10.5, and their average time is 1:33.2. For a female, the best recorded 500m row time is 1:24.5, and the average time is 1:58.0. A good (average) unisex rowing time for all ages is 1:40.5, with the fastest time at 1:10.5.
What is a good 1000m row time? A good 1000m time is 03:33.6. This is the average 1000m time across all ages and genders.
Chemistry: Coaches generally want to recruit athletes who contribute to and strengthen the chemistry of the team. Fitting in, having a strong work ethic, a willingness to work hard and improve, a desire to be on that particular team, and buying into the team and college ethos are all important qualities.