“Whenever we create a new model indoor
rower, we put it through extensive testing to ensure
that the flywheels are calibrated to past models and
provide the same results. Changes in design have
attempted to make a more ergonomic ergometer.
Some athletes may find certain models improve
their personal performance due to these slight
changes in design. But on an aggregate level,
these changes have not improved overall times.
Because of the dates of the world records, most of
the 2,000m world records were rowed on Model C
or Model D indoor rowers.”
>
World records are also recorded by age group and
Haff says that a small number of age group world
records have gone to non-rowers. The records
are recorded in age group categories of five-year
increments and Haff says these age group records
are being broken more frequently.
Indoor rowing 2000m world records since 1999
Men’s Heavyweight Men’s Lightweight
Rob Waddell 5:36.6
Matthias Siejkowski 5:37.0
Rob Waddell 5:38.3
2009 Henrik Stephansen
2009 Henrik Stephansen
2008 Henrik Stephansen
2004 Elia Luini
2004 Eskild Ebbesen
Women’s Heavyweight Women’s Lightweight
Sophie Balmary 6:28.4
Georgina Evers-Swindell 6:28.6
2010 Ursula Grobler
2000 Lisa Schlenker
2008
2002
1999
5:58.5
6:01.8
6:02.2
6:02.6
6:06.4
“Age groups of 50 and above are most frequently
being broken,” says Haff. “Rowing seems to attract
more and more athletes who are competitive in
these age groups. Some of these athletes discover
rowing later in life after competitive careers in
other sports.”
2006
2002
6:54.7
6:56.7
Just about all of the records are achieved by on-
the-water rowers. The technique on the rowing
machine, says Dunne, differs only slightly from
that in a rowing boat. “You lean back a bit more,
pull the handle up a bit higher than on the water,
but not everyone does that.”
All of the record holders agree, world records will continue to fall. “Records are made to be broken!” concludes Haff.
World lightweight record holder
on the indoor rowing machine,
Ursula Grobler, competing at the
2010 CRASH-B Sprints.
■ M.S.B.
