Why Are Rowing Machines Called Ergs?

Rowers say “erg” for the rowing machine, for a session on it (“I’ve got an erg tonight”) and for the testing that goes with it. The word is short for ergometer, and the reason it stuck says something about how rowers use these machines.

Where the word comes from

Ergometer combines two Greek roots: ergon, meaning work, and metron, meaning measure. It is a device that measures the work you do. A rowing ergometer measures your effort as power and pace rather than simply offering resistance.

That distinction matters. Plenty of exercise machines simply give you something to pull against. An ergometer gives you a number you can compare and repeat, which is why coaches and athletes use it.

From early machines to Concept2

Rowing machines in various forms existed long before Concept2, because rowers wanted a way to train through winter.

The machine most people mean today comes from Concept2, founded in 1976 by brothers Dick and Pete Dreissigacker, with Bari Dreissigacker as co-founder. Their air-resistance indoor rower launched in the early 1980s. Later models were lettered. The current one is the RowErg, which was previously known as the Model D. For the background, see how the Concept2 changed rowing.

Why the word stuck

Because a Concept2 gives repeatable scores, rowers can compare themselves across clubs, countries and years. A 2k time on one erg means the same as on another when the machine is set up in a similar way. That is why “erg” is a shorthand for testing as well as the machine: an erg test, an erg score, erg racing. See how to do a 2k erg test.

What the erg actually measures

The monitor on a Concept2 turns the speed of the flywheel into power in watts, and then into a pace for every 500 m, called the split. The relationship is fixed: the Concept2 pace formula gives watts as 2.80 divided by the cube of the pace in seconds per metre. A worked example: a split of 2:00 per 500 m is 120 seconds, or 0.24 seconds per metre. Cubed, that is about 0.0138, so the power is roughly 2.80 / 0.0138, or about 203 watts. A split of 1:50 needs around 263 watts, and 2:10 around 159 watts. Notice how a small change in pace needs a large change in power. That is why the last few seconds of a 2k are so hard to find.

How an erg works

Most ergs have the same basic parts: a handle, a chain or strap, a resistance mechanism, a sliding seat on a rail, foot stretchers and a monitor.

• Air (Concept2, many gym rowers). A flywheel with fans. Pull harder and the resistance rises. For a cheaper example, see our page on the JTX Ignite Air budget rower.
• Water. Paddles turn in a tank, giving a sloshing feel and a quieter stroke.
• Magnetic. Magnets create resistance, which is quiet and often adjustable by level.

See air vs water vs magnetic for the differences, and how rowing machines work for the mechanics.

Ergs beyond rowing

The word has spread. Concept2 also makes a SkiErg and a BikeErg, which follow the same idea: a machine that measures your work and gives a repeatable score. In other sports, people talk about cycle ergometers for lab testing. The term is not unique to rowing, but in rowing it has become everyday speech.

Using the word

If you are new to rowing, you will hear a few related terms:

• Erg: the machine, or a session on it.
• Ergo: an alternative form, used in some countries.
• Erg test: a timed piece, such as 2,000 m.
• Split: your pace per 500 m.

For more terms, see our guide to top rowing terms.