Rowing machines are fundamentally used for indoor exercise but they are also used as training for the sport rowing.

A rowing machine simulates the action of rowing on water but as with all inventions it has to originate from somewhere. So what is the rowing machine’s history?

Early rowing machines are said to have existed as early as the mid 1800’s as a US patent was issued in 1872 for a particular hydraulic based damper design.

It wasn’t until the 1950s and 1960s when the machines simulated the actual rowing movement and measured the power output. It was during this period of time when some people started making the machines purely for training and improving power measurement.

A reported example includes one by John Harrison of Leichhardt Rowing Club in Sydney, Australia in which the mechanical friction brake was made with leather straps. But due to humidity the results were less accurate.

ROWING MACHINES

Ten years later, an oar exercise machine from Norway called Gjessing-Nilson was developed with a friction brake mechanism with industrial strapping. Weights hung off the straps enabling the user to adjust, predict and calculate friction and thereby adjusting the gearing and speed of the handle it was similar to changing the mechanical gear of the oar through the stroke.

The very first air resistance exercise machine was introduced around 1980 and the Concept 2 Rowing Machine was initiated in 1981 by the Dreissigacker brothers. These were rowing brothers who trialled for the American team for the Summer Olympics 1976 but upon failing, they founded the company and equipment.

It was this machine’s capability that gave birth to the competitive indoor rowing sport and revolutionised training for rowing on water. So it is no wonder why all professional oarsmen to date use them!

ROWING SIMULATOR

It wasn’t until 1988 when a rowing simulator was made by a Dutch engineer called Casper Rekers and it moved in harmony with the rower’s mass as the same as a boat.

So now you know the rowing machines’ roots, check out the world’s best rowing machines from all the top companies like First Degree Fitness Rowing Machine at rowingmachine.com.