Weight Adjusted Time

[cschacker]

Hi, I am new to rowing and to this forum, so apologies if this topic has already been discussed. I'm about to turn 60 and weight 138 pounds. My raw times on the Concept2 D are not very impressive, but my weight adjusted times are. What I'm wondering is, how would these adjusted times translate to rowing on the water, all other things being equal? E.g. if my weight adjusted time on the Concept2 were equal to the raw time of someone who weighs 165 pounds, could I reasonably expect to be competitive on the water against that person, again assuming that our rowing technique on the water was comparable?

As an aside, it's odd to me that in indoor rowing there aren't more weight categories like boxing or wrestling. It would enable feather weights like me to realistically compete.

Thanks for your insights!

[Cyclist2]

The weight adjustment for the erg is to measure the potential of different weight rowers on the water since the erg doesn't penalize the heavier rower as much as OTW rowing does. Therefore, on the erg, the bigger, heavier person seems to be much stronger, when on the water he/she may be comparable to the smaller person. Here is C2's article on this: https://www.concept2.com/indoor-rowers/ ... calculator.

Regarding more weight classes, it would be advantageous for us smaller guys but they already break it down by ages, so adding more categories may turn it into a elementary school participation prize kind of thing. I get more satisfaction by placing middle of the pack in a 20 rower field than 1st in a two rower field.

[cschacker]

Yeah, but you don't get a cool plastic trophy...

Thanks, appreciate the thoughts.

[jamesg]

Contact sports have weight bands to avoid death and injury, not to give away more medals. Most sports we have to be the right size and shape anyway. There's no lack of choice.

[Tsnor]

... I'm about to turn 60 and weight 138 pounds. My raw times on the Concept2 D are not very impressive, but my weight adjusted times are. What I'm wondering is, how would these adjusted times translate to rowing on the water, all other things being equal? E.g. if my weight adjusted time on the Concept2 were equal to the raw time of someone who weighs 165 pounds, could I reasonably expect to be competitive on the water against that person, again assuming that our rowing technique on the water was comparable?

When a coach builds a boat they match up things like stroke length and technique as well as raw power. Adding a very strong ERG rower to a boat can act either like an anchor or really help a boat depending on how the rower fits in.

"could I reasonably expect to be competitive on the water against that person" YES. If coach is building an 8, and has 7 people who race a short stroke at a high rate, you will likely win the seat over a taller/stronger rower with a long/slow stroke all other things being equal. And you will make the boat go faster than the taller rower who needed the slower, longer stroke cadence. Opposite is true if all 7 are 6ft 5 unless the coach is concerned about total weight in boat, needs a bow rower, etc. Also helps if you can row both port and starboard.

I like to row in our club's mixed 8 (more stable, faster, more apt to medal, high energy). The women are really really strong, and also like to sit at 32-36 which is high for me. Makes me less competitive than a some of the smaller men with slower erg times. So I deal with the high stroke rate and shorten up a bit.

Also, the masters age-rated system that gives you a huge advantage over people who row the same or slightly better than you but are in their 50s or 40s. You will win the seat because the coach is managing the overage age of the boat to get the handicap they want. Sadly, I've gotten into boats while much stronger/better technique rowers sat only because I was 20 years older (I view this a bad thing that should be fixed, think there is too much weight to older rowers).