Since the 4th Century BC, rowing machines have their roots in Greece soil. Though not as efficient as the current rowing machine we have today, there was a striking resemblance in their appearance. You can be pretty sure that the inventor, W.B. Curtis, was not technologically savvy to have included a dashboard that detects users’ performance.
However, admirers of this astounding invention took it upon themselves to refine the equipment. Earlier, it was basically used to train oarsmen who are inexperienced on land. As time goes by, the use has evolved and has become what it is today: physical fitness.
Milestones of Rowing Machines
The first patent rowing machine was not invented not until around 1872 by the infamous W.B Cutis. Like earlier mentioned, it was made to help keep oarsmen fit for military land training. An essential part of the machine which is still relevant to date is its flywheel.
Again, the flywheel was basically used to store rotational energy used in air rowers in the contemporary world. Gradually, as inexperienced oarsmen learn to perfect their rowing skills, the machine started gaining relevance. While the popular indoor rowing machine is majorly used in stimulating general body performance, the usage has metamorphosed over time.
Going from the early 1900s, the significance of the rowing machine began to find expression. Many boating competitions took place between school colleges, which created the need for students to practice before the tournament. This particular need kicked the commercial production of rowers off. Sold especially on school campuses, the rowers were more than a vital device to own by the students.
In 1843, something dramatic happened; the very first rowing club was created in America. Why was it made? It is simply to create a platform for training students who would eventually participate in the watermen competition of their time. The match became more interesting as two prominent universities were in the limelight of the rowing competition.
This unfolding incident helps mass production of the rowing machine to cater to the students’ uncontrollable needs, as earlier explained. An exciting event further revealed itself as World Rowing Federation was officially launched to commence international rowing competition and has since been incorporated into the Olympic Games.
As invention takes place, a missing link was discovered in the old Curtis rowing machine. This was the inability to measure the output of its users and unable to imitate the rowing effect on water. Of the numerous inventions after the Curtis’ rowers was the Narragansett hydraulic rowing machine.
This version of the rowing machine has a pneumatic style of resistance. It was designed with pressurized gas to help during rowing exercises on the device. It was popular in its use between 1900 and 1960, where it was majorly sold to school campuses, gyms, and few households. However, it still lacked the feeling of rowing on water.
The Current Status and Future of Indoor Rowing Machines
An Australian company, Repco, blazed the trail by manufacturing the first rowing machine with an incredible air resistance effect. This has created a way for a plethora of rower designs. Most prominent is the Concept 2 rowing machine, which breaks the extended limit that users have experienced. In other words, the Concept 2 rowers became the first machine to mimic the rowing effect on water.
Also, it was able to measure the user’s performance accurately. The producers of Concept 2, Dick and Peter Dreissigacker, created a groundbreaking effect. This is because subsequent rowing machines took Concept 2 machine as a prototype to imitate.
As time goes, other designs of rowers apart from the air resistance type were created. The different types include magnetic, hydraulic, and water rowing machines, were further invented.
Who says there can’t be any innovation in designing rowing machines? That is not correct. Just as we see the changes in technologies over the year, more development is sure to develop. There could be a wearable suit or body-friendly machines which further improves the overall user experience. Though they might be a bit costly for casual users, they will create an impressive rowing experience.
Conclusion
Knowing the roots of rowing machines is really stimulating! This piece should further inspire you to try out the rowing machine if you have never done so before now. The overall benefits will significantly improve your physiological wellbeing.