Concept2 Forum

Is there a reliable formula that can be used to compute distance travelled per stroke? I am using PIM 5

You need to calculate the distance rowed per minute. So take the duration and the distance rowed and divide one by the other.

For example 2000m in 7minutes is 285.71m / minute. 5K in 20 mins is 250m / minute.
http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=50 ... 20+minutes

You know the average stroke rate (SPM) because the monitor has given you that at the end of the workout. So divide the distance / minute by strokes / minute. The minutes cancel out and you'll get distance per stroke.

Or just watch the monitor meters on every stroke. One of my favorite workouts is rowing 10 meters per stroke - vary the stroke rate, and the pace has to change too. Good for technique and keeping my brain engaged. Over the years I've observed that my comfortable, no thought, pace routinely gets me about 8-9 meters per stroke. No formula, just watching the monitor.

Is there a reliable formula

Sure; for each power level in Watts W and for a Rating R in strokes per minute, the distance D per stroke is:

D = 60/R x (W/2.8)^(1/3)

So for example if you pull 200 W at Rate 20:

D = 60/20 x (200/2.8)^(1/3) = 12.4 m

This is because "speed" in m/s is related to erg Power by W = 2.8 V^3; and time per stroke is 60/R s.

Thank you. All done!