Why only two weight classes?

[Bradycardia]

In mixed martial arts there are 14 weight classes, in boxing 17. But in rowing, there are only two weight classes.
Rowing is about generating power per and it’s easier to generate power if you’re heavier.
I guess it has to do with history and perhaps the Olympics.
I think however it’s a legitimate question.

[lindsayh]

In mixed martial arts there are 14 weight classes, in boxing 17. But in rowing, there are only two weight classes.
Rowing is about generating power per stroke rather and it’s easier to generate power if you’re heavier.
I guess it has to do with history and perhaps the Olympics. I think however it’s a legitimate question.

Most competitive sports have no weight categories of course - only the ones where people get bashed up I guess plus weight lifting.
Rowing has 2 divisions on the water and that is where they have come from OTE. It is not only weight that determines success though - think wingspan, training intensity, fitness and physiology. There are always going to different sports where different physical types are going to be more successful and there is never going to be an even playing field.
The other problem with more divisions is that there will be very few competitive races as numbers will be very small.
There has been an argument from time to time around a "middle weight" division but dilution of numbers is always used as a negative.

[Carl Watts]

Like any sport there is still the perfect body dimensions regardless of weight. All other things being equal height gives you an advantage in rowing.

[Erik A]

only 2 weight classes but many age group classes for comps

[Doubleplay]

I understand the two weight classes to keep things simple. However it gives a man a huge disadvantage if you are on the lower end of the heavy weight class. On the light weight side there can be only 30-40 lbs difference as there are not too many men under 120lbs. competing. However the weight differences on the heavy side can be even over 100 lbs. range which is a huge power difference. Can Concept 2 weight adjusted scores be used for competition ?

[rtbrouwer]

I'd love to see a middleweight division for 75 to 90 or 95kg. Like Doubleplay said, the Phil Clapps of this world at 2.09m and 125kg compete in the same class as Joe Average at 1.80 and 83kg's. That is a HUGE difference. In the lightweight class there is probably max 10-15kg difference.

[hjs]

I'd love to see a middleweight division for 75 to 90 or 95kg. Like Doubleplay said, the Phil Clapps of this world at 2.09m and 125kg compete in the same class as Joe Average at 1.80 and 83kg's. That is a HUGE difference. In the lightweight class there is probably max 10-15kg difference.

The best 2k guys often are mid. 90kg. So being very heavy is not that usefull.
Top lightweight sub 75kg pull below 6 min.

[hjs]

I understand the two weight classes to keep things simple. However it gives a man a huge disadvantage if you are on the lower end of the heavy weight class. On the light weight side there can be only 30-40 lbs difference as there are not too many men under 120lbs. competing. However the weight differences on the heavy side can be even over 100 lbs. range which is a huge power difference. Can Concept 2 weight adjusted scores be used for competition ?

No, its about the absolute result. Sport is per definition unfair, thats the beauty of it. If we filter out all differences everybody would come out the same.

[mict450]

No, its about the absolute result. Sport is per definition unfair, thats the beauty of it. If we filter out all differences everybody would come out the same.

Oh, so true!! I fear there are those busy bodies, though, who would insist on equal outcomes & do away with such terms as "winners" & "losers" and merge everyone into the swamp of mediocrity of "participants" to spare the self-esteem of those who never accomplish anything more than sitting in front of the tele, gorging on chips & bean dip.

[Carl Watts]

Overall the Concept 2 Erg is great in the way it calculates the power and the weight doesn't come into it as much as it does on a bike.

This translates well to rowing online with the likes of RowPro, its a pretty level playing field compared to say the Zwift for Cycling where it clearly has major problems as your weight is just a manual entry and it dramatically affects the power calculation. Anything that is subject to a "Manual User Entry" is totally hopeless and open to major cheating. Zwift is being totally stuffed by cheats.

You cannot possibly make everyone happy on the rower however but it would be silly to have multiple weight categories Then couple this with multiple age categories, then what ? next you have height categories because this makes a huge difference as well. At that point everyone's a winner because your the only one in your group.

[jamesg]

I guess it has to do with history and perhaps the Olympics.

Olympic committees and the IRF (erging comes under Rowing) probably think they have enough to do already with four classes (L/H, F/M) plus paralympics, half a dozen boat types and the costs of medals, venues and services.

[Doubleplay]

No, its about the absolute result. Sport is per definition unfair, thats the beauty of it. If we filter out all differences everybody would come out the same.

Oh, so true!! I fear there are those busy bodies, though, who would insist on equal outcomes & do away with such terms as "winners" & "losers" and merge everyone into the swamp of mediocrity of "participants" to spare the self-esteem of those who never accomplish anything more than sitting in front of the tele, gorging on chips & bean dip.

Really. I don't come from the school of everybody is a winner and I believe in fair competition. But if you don't believe there's a power difference between someone who's 120 kg compared to someone who's 80kg(at their best) you are either naive or no idea about law of physics. I understand it's not practical to have weight classes like boxing or weight lifting but I don't thing the current heavy weight category is fair.

[Doubleplay]

I understand the two weight classes to keep things simple. However it gives a man a huge disadvantage if you are on the lower end of the heavy weight class. On the light weight side there can be only 30-40 lbs difference as there are not too many men under 120lbs. competing. However the weight differences on the heavy side can be even over 100 lbs. range which is a huge power difference. Can Concept 2 weight adjusted scores be used for competition ?

No, its about the absolute result. Sport is per definition unfair, thats the beauty of it. If we filter out all differences everybody would come out the same.

Sport is per definition is not unfair unless rules make it unfair. There's a reason there are weight classes like in boxing or weight lifting or age groups. The beauty of sports is to level the field and let the best win.

[jamesg]

We can always read the rules before starting, and choose a sport that suits our likings and characteristics. Complaining afterwards, there's one of Aesop's fables that describes the situation.

[hjs]

I understand the two weight classes to keep things simple. However it gives a man a huge disadvantage if you are on the lower end of the heavy weight class. On the light weight side there can be only 30-40 lbs difference as there are not too many men under 120lbs. competing. However the weight differences on the heavy side can be even over 100 lbs. range which is a huge power difference. Can Concept 2 weight adjusted scores be used for competition ?

No, its about the absolute result. Sport is per definition unfair, thats the beauty of it. If we filter out all differences everybody would come out the same.

Sport is per definition is not unfair unless rules make it unfair. There's a reason there are weight classes like in boxing or weight lifting or age groups. The beauty of sports is to level the field and let the best win.

Indeed the best should win. Its not for nothing that the heavyweight classes are seen as nmr 1.
And weight in itself says nothing, its about fit weight, thats why not the heavyweights are the best rowers but the middleweights.