Forms of Rowing

While rowing, the athlete sits in the boat facing backwards (towards the stern), and uses the oars which are held in place by the oarlocks to propel the boat forward (towards the bow). All forms of rowing force the large muscles of your upper body to work rhythmically for a continuous period.

 
Sweep Rowing is the most recognizable of competitive rowing forms. Sweep or sweep-oar rowing is a type of rowing when a rower has one oar, usually held with both hands. In the UK the term is less used as the term rowing generally refers to sweep oar. The term pulling was also used historically. Each rower in a sweep boat is referred to as being on stroke side (port) or bow side (starboard), depending on which side of the boat the rower's oar extends.

Stationary Rowing, or using the rowing machine in the gym, may be the most familiar version of this workout. ame powerful technique sweep rowers use on the rowing machine in the gym; in fact, the rowing machine, sometimes also called a rowing ergometer, or erg for short, originated as an off-season or dry-land training tool for sweep rowers. Start with a powerful leg drive, pushing yourself back from the seat.

Sculling technique is similar to sweep rowing and stationary rowing technique, but each rowing has two shorter sculling oars instead of one long sweep oar. Scullers are usually fielded as singles, doubles or quads; sculling boats are usually uncoxed. The bow-seat sculler acts as the on-water coach instead, calling strategy and glancing backward to spot the boat's direction.

Traditional or Fixed-Seat Rowing is practiced as a competitive sport in England, but fixed-seat rowboats are also used as recreational craft or transportation in many countries. Fixed-seat rowers usually sit on a bench, with two oars fixed in oarlocks to either side of the boat