RowPerfect
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Photo of a Rowperfect |
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The Rowperfect DOS software |
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Rowperfect is an
indoor rowing machine designed in 1987 by Cas Rekers. It is designed to accurately simulate the feeling of
rowing on the
water. Both the
flywheel and the seat are free to move on a slide — this is different to the majority of rowing machines where the flywheel is fixed and only the seat moves. Its mass and movement are balanced and engineered to enable rowing technique to be learned and refined. The design puts as little as one sixth of the strain on the athletes' back and joints of other indoor rowing machines .
The Rowperfect is attached to a
computer for readouts of output
power, time, rating, meters etc. The display also features a force-time curve graphic showing how much force is being applied throughout the rowing stroke. This can be used to help all members of crew to work towards the same profile so they all move the boat together. Outputs are calibrated to athlete weight, sex, and boat class and give readings aligned to on-water times for skilled athletes.
Despite these advantages, it is the
Concept2 and not the Rowperfect which remains as the standard for testing rowers. This is because the Concept2 provides a universal template on which to compare rowers, and is more practical for everyday usage.
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Rowperfect Main Site*
Rowperfect Australia*
Rowperfect UK
