Looking for a low-impact, full-body, cardio workout that exercises all the major muscle groups? Maybe erging is right for you. Erging, exercising on a sophisticated rowing machine known as an ergometer, has moved into popular culture thanks to the rowing events in the 2024 Olympics, the popular book and film The Boys in the Boat, and Bonnie Garmus’ bestselling novel and miniseries Lessons in Chemistry in which Calvin builds his own erg machine in order to keep in shape for rowing.
What’s behind the name erg? Erg is derived from the Greek word ergon, meaning “work” or “task” and is short for ergometer, a term than can refer to any exercise machine that measures the amount of work put out. Today, the term erg is used almost exclusively to refer to rowing machines.
Rowing machines are nothing new. Athenian Admiral Chabrias introduced the first rowing machines in the 4th century BC to aid in military training. He had wooden rowing frames built to help beginners learn technique and timing before they headed out onto the water in boats. In 1872, W.B. Curtis filed a U.S. patent for a hydraulic-based rowing apparatus. The popular Narragansett hydraulic rower was manufactured in Rhode Island from 1900-1960. While early versions of the ergometer relied on friction from weights, a pulley, and a flywheel, Repco introduced the first air resistance ergometer in 1980. Early versions of the Concept2 ergometer revolutionized the exercise experience when they came out with the first digital performance monitor late in the 1900s. Concept 2 ergs can be found in public and home gyms across the U.S.
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