Indoor Rowing
Indoor rowing: the sport for every body
Indoor Rowing is a sport and fitness activity performed on rowing machines (ergometers) that simulate the rowing stroke. Unlike many activities that focus primarily on either upper or lower body, Indoor Rowing engages almost every major muscle group during every stroke. Health and fitness sources consistently identify rowing as a full-body, low-impact exercise, quickly improving endurance, strength and technical skill.
Indoor Rowing combines fitness, health, technology, and competition into an accessible and innovative sport. Whether you are looking to improve your fitness, prepare for your next HYROX race, cross-train for rowing, begin a healthier lifestyle, enhance your experience of indoor rowing or compete at a world championship, Indoor Rowing offers a challenge tailored to you.
Have a look at the information we have for you and your Indoor Rowing journey. You should find everything you need here and if not, you can contact us at indoor@worldrowing.com
Why people love Indoor Rowing?
Because it combines fitness, performance, technology, and inclusivity in a single sport.
From a first workout in the gym to racing athletes from around the world online, indoor rowing adapts to every age, ability, and ambition. It is a sport that grows with you, keeping you motivated through clear progress, connected experiences, and a welcoming global community.
Discover why millions of people around the world choose indoor rowing.
Full-body workout
=> Legs, core, back and arms
=> Power, strength and stability
=> Cardiovascular endurance
=> Mental wellbeing
Low-impact: joint and posture-friendly
=> Injury prevention
=> Active recovery
=> Weight management
=> Long-term fitness development
Suitable for beginners and elite athletes
Easy to start anywhere
Equipment available in gyms, hotels, rowing and sports club
Measurable progress
Global competitions
Connected and virtual experiences
Inclusive for all ages and abilities
A sport for everyone
Indoor rowing is one of the most inclusive sports and fitness activities in the world. Regardless of your age, fitness level, sporting background, ability, or location, anyone can get started and progress at their own pace. Indoor rowing welcomes:
Beginners: No experience needed.
Fitness enthusiasts: Build fitness efficiently and safely.
CrossFit athletes: Improve power, endurance, and pacing.
HYROX competitors: Develop race-specific fitness.
Traditional rowers
Endurance athletes
Strength athletes
Para and Adaptive athletes of all abilities and sporting backgrounds
Youth, school and university participants
Masters athletes aged 80+
Fun and Innovative – The Future of (Indoor) Rowing
Indoor rowing has evolved far beyond the traditional rowing machine. Today, it sits at the intersection of sport, technology, esports, fitness, and global community, creating a unique experience that appeals to people of all ages and backgrounds.
A sport powered by Technology
Rowing machines connect seamlessly to apps, smartphones, tablets, heart rate monitors, and online platforms to other users a different experience, connected, gamified, more engaging.
Every stroke generates real-time data, allowing athletes to track power, pace, distance, calories, heart rate, and performance trends with exceptional accuracy.
This creates a highly engaging experience where progress is measurable, goals are tangible, and improvement is visible.
Race anyone, anywhere
One of the most exciting aspects of indoor rowing is the ability to compete with people around the world without leaving your home, gym, or club.
Connected platforms allow rowers to:
Race live against opponents on different continents
Join virtual competitions and leagues
Participate in global challenges
Compare performances on worldwide leaderboards
Train with athletes from every level, from beginners to world champions
Indoor rowing removes geographical barriers and creates a truly global sport.
The “gamification” transforms training from a workout into an experience.
One sport. Multiple ways to row.
Indoor Rowing has evolved from a simple training tool into a connected sport supported by world-class equipment, immersive applications, and global online competition.
Whether you train at home, in a gym, a rowing club, a CrossFit box, or a fitness studio, there is a rowing solution for you.
The Global standard
The Concept2 RowErg is the most widely used rowing machine in the world and the reference equipment used for world records, rankings, and most major international Indoor Rowing competitions including the World and European Rowing Indoor Championships, virtual and in-person. Concept2 is World Rowing’s Global partner and presenting sponsor for its events.
Ideal for
=> Beginners
=> Fitness enthusiasts
=> CrossFit athletes
=> HYROX competitors
=> Rowing clubs
=> Elite athletes
Features
=> PM5 Performance Monitor
=> Bluetooth and ANT+ connectivity
=> ErgData integration
=> Online rankings
=> Highly accurate performance measurement
=> Worldwide community
Official Website Concept2 RowErg
The Closest experience to rowing on water
The RP3 uses a dynamic system where both athlete and machine move during the stroke, closely replicating on-water rowing biomechanics.
Popular among
=> National rowing teams
=> Olympic athletes
=> High-performance programs
Features
=> Dynamic movement
=> Detailed stroke analysis
=> Technical feedback
=> Racing and training data
Official Website RP3 Rowing
Fitness and wellness focus
Using water resistance, WaterRower provides a natural rowing feeling and sound.
Ideal for
=> Home users
=> Hotels
=> Health clubs
=> Wellness spaces
Features
=> Water flywheel
=> Elegant design
=> Connected training options
=> Smooth stroke experience
Official Website WaterRower
Which rowing machine is for you?
|
User profile |
Recommended equipment |
|
Beginner |
Concept2 |
|
Weight loss |
Concept2, WaterRower |
|
CrossFit athlete |
Concept2 |
|
HYROX athlete |
Concept2 |
|
Competitive rower |
Concept2 or RP3 |
|
Home fitness |
Concept2, WaterRower |
| Elite athlete |
Concept2, RP3 |
But there are many more on the market! World Rowing will always look at expanding the list to give you the best and most complete advice.
Indoor Rowing machine brands and manufacturers, you want your machine listed here? Contact us at indoor@worldrowing.com
Rowing has gone digital
Indoor Rowing is now one of the most connected sports in the world.
Train alone, with friends, against athletes from another continent, or race in World Championships without leaving home.
ErgData
The official Concept2 companion app
ErgData connects directly to the PM5 monitor and automatically records workouts to your Concept2 logbook.
Features
=> Automatic workout recording
=> Heart rate tracking
=> Real-time workout data
=> Monitor synchronization
=> Training history
Perfect for
=> Newcomers
=> Fitness users
=> Competitive athletes
ErgZone
The connected training platform
ErgZone simplifies indoor rowing training by providing structured workouts, performance tracking, and seamless integration with rowing ergometers and fitness communities.
Features
=> Workout programming and delivery
=> Training plans and challenges
=> Performance tracking and analytics
=> Integration with Concept2 and other fitness devices
=> Club, team, and event management tools
Popular among
=> Indoor rowing clubs and coaches
=> Competitive rowers
=> Fitness communities
=> CrossFit and functional fitness athletes
EXR
The virtual rowing platform
EXR transforms rowing into an immersive experience with beautiful virtual environments and online racing.
Features
=> Realistic rowing simulation
=> Multiplayer racing
=> Structured workouts
=> Team events
=> Performance analytics
Popular among
=> Competitive rowers
=> eSports enthusiasts
=> Indoor racing communities
Kinomap
Explore the world while you row
Row through real-world video routes from around the globe.
Features
=> Thousands of routes
=> Scenic experiences
=> Live resistance adaptation
=> Training plans
Ergatta
The gamified rowing platform
Ergatta transforms indoor rowing into an engaging, game-based fitness experience through interactive challenges, personalized training, and competitive racing.
Features
=> Gamified workouts and challenges
=> Personalized training plans
=> Head-to-head racing and leaderboards
=> Performance-based progression system
=> Detailed performance analytics
Popular among
=> Fitness enthusiasts
=> Home gym users
=> Gamers seeking immersive workouts
=> Recreational and competitive rowers
Strava
Share every session
The world’s largest social fitness platform.
Features
=> Activity tracking
=> Challenges
=> Clubs
=> Rankings
=> Social sharing
Connected Racing
Today’s Indoor Rowing athlete can:
Race live online
Join worldwide leaderboards
Participate in virtual championships
Train with international communities
Compare results globally
World Rowing identifies connected racing, innovation, accessibility and global participation as central pillars of the discipline’s development.
Discover the next one…
Stay tuned…there is more to come in 2027!
Your journey from daily training to World Championships
World Rowing Indoor Events go beyond racing. They provide opportunities to set personal goals, measure progress, represent your club or country, meet like-minded people, and experience the thrill of competition in an inclusive and supportive environment. Whether you are aiming for a world title, joining a relay with friends, exploring adaptive rowing opportunities, or simply taking on your first challenge, there is an event designed for you.
Train. Challenge Yourself. Connect. Compete.
DISCOVER OUR UPCOMING EVENTS HERE
THE WORLD ROWING VIRTUAL INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS
The World’s largest online Indoor Rowing competition
The World Rowing Virtual Indoor Championships allow athletes to connect their rowing machine and race from home, a gym, a club, or a dedicated event hub while competing against participants from dozens of countries worldwide. The event is open to athletes from beginners through elite competitors. The format includes open access heats and live-streamed finals, making world championship racing accessible to everyone.
Championship Highlights
=> Global participation
=> Live online racing
=> Open entry
=> Heats and Finals
=> Multiple race formats
=> World championship titles
Categories
=> U17
=> U19
=> U23
=> Open
=> Lightweight
=> Masters from 40-44 to 86+
=> Adaptive: IAR 1 to IAR 7
Distances
Current formats include: 1000m, 5000m and 1-minute races.
Why it is unique
=> No travel required
=> Global participation
=> Multiple race formats
=> Open to all levels
=> Categories from U17 to Masters 80+
=> Para rowing categories
=> Team racing
THE WORLD ROWING INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS
The World’s best indoor rowers. One floor. One weekend.
The in-person World Rowing Indoor Championships bring together elite athletes, fitness competitors, rowing clubs, schools and enthusiasts in a festival atmosphere. World Rowing expects thousands of participants and positions the event as a combination of elite competition and mass participation.
Event experience
=> World Championship races
=> Mass participation categories
=> Team relays
=> Fan engagement zones
=> Sponsor exhibitions
=> Innovation showcases
=> Athlete meet-and-greets
Features:
=> Traditional Individual 2000m, 500m
=> Team relays
=> Elite finals
=> Mass participation
=> Fan experiences
=> Exhibitions and innovation showcases from youth through masters categories.
CATEGORIES & RULES
Gender, Age and Weight Categories
Indoor Rowing is a sport for ALL. The category is determined according to the athlete’s gender, age and weight and is designed to create fair and meaningful competition opportunities for everyone.
Men and Women Under 17 and Under 19
Men and Women, Heavy and Lightweight Under 23
Men and Women, Heavy and Lightweight Open category/23-39
Men and Women, Heavy and Lightweight Masters 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75-79, 80-82, 83-85 and 86+.
Indoor Adaptive Rowing categories & classification
World Rowing Indoor Rowing is committed to creating opportunities for athletes of all abilities. The Indoor Adaptive Rowing (IAR) system provides a broader and more inclusive pathway for athletes with physical, visual, intellectual, neurological, and other impairments to participate in competition.
The seven-category Indoor Adaptive Rowing structure is designed specifically for indoor rowing and mass participation events, making competition easily accessible.
Classification and eligibility
Athletes who already hold one of the following classifications or categorisations can generally enter the appropriate Indoor Adaptive Rowing category without additional assessment:
World Rowing Para Rowing Sport Classes (PR1, PR2, PR3)
Invictus Games Categories
Virtus Eligibility
IBSA Visual Impairment Sport Classes (where applicable)
Athletes who do not hold an eligible classification may apply directly for a World Rowing Indoor Adaptive Rowing categorisation through the World Rowing process.
Rules & Regulations
All World Rowing Indoor Rowing events are governed by the World Rowing Rules of Racing and Indoor Rowing Rules and Bye-Laws. These rules define athlete eligibility, competition formats, categories, adaptive rowing categories, equipment requirements, and procedures for both in-person and virtual competitions.
Whether you are competing for the first time or aiming for a world title, it is important to familiarise yourself with the latest rules before entering an event.
Useful links
Indoor Adaptive Rowing Categories & Eligibility
Competition Notices on each Event page
DISCOVER OUR UPCOMING EVENTS HERE
WORLD ROWING VIRTUAL SERIES
Race anytime. anywhere.
A new World Rowing racing asset offering multiple challenges throughout the year. World Rowing describes the Virtual Series as an open participation platform with multiple challenges over several months and opportunities for athletes from youth to masters categories.
Why participate?
=> Open to everyone
=> No qualification required
=> Global rankings
=> Multiple challenge formats
=> Year-round racing opportunities
Features:
=> Multiple challenges
=> Global rankings
=> On-demand participation
=> Opportunities for all ages
Discover the 2026 edition before we can tell you more on what comes next in 2027…
WORLD ROWING VERSA CHALLENGE
Are you the most versatile athlete?
The World Rowing Versa Challenge was created to identify the most versatile indoor athletes through multiple innovative tests and race formats. World Rowing describes it as a showcase of versatility, innovation and spectator engagement.
What makes it different?
=> Multiple disciplines
=> Strategic decision-making
=> Strength and endurance elements
=> Innovative challenge formats
=> Entertainment-driven presentation
Discover the 2025 edition that took place in Singapore!
WORLD ROWING SUPER60
How far can 60 seconds take you?
World Rowing Super60 is designed to bring indoor rowing directly to communities, creating fun, accessible and engaging opportunities for people to get active and discover the sport. Through a series of local activations, participants can experience the excitement of indoor rowing in clubs, gyms, schools, public spaces and events, making the sport visible and accessible wherever people are.
Bring the sport to the people
Super60 is a simple and flexible format of 60 seconds that allows rowing to reach new audiences beyond traditional rowing environments. By taking the ergometer into communities, fitness venues and public areas and events, organisers can introduce thousands of people to the unique benefits of indoor rowing.
Inspire discovery and participation
Whether participants are experienced athletes, fitness enthusiasts or complete beginners, Super60 provides an easy entry point into the sport. The short, dynamic format encourages people to give rowing a try, learn new skills and connect with local rowing and fitness communities.
A challenge for everyone
Super60 gives participants a clear and motivating goal to work towards. Local activations can feed into national rankings, campaigns or celebration events, providing an extra layer of excitement and achievement. For those who want to go further, selected athletes may have opportunities to qualify for an enhanced final experience, while keeping participation and community engagement at the heart of the programme.
Easy to organise
Thanks to the accessibility of indoor rowing, Super60 can be delivered almost anywhere with minimal infrastructure. National federations, rowing clubs, gyms, schools and event partners can easily host activations, making it a scalable platform for growing participation, engaging new audiences and promoting healthy, active lifestyles.
Powered by technology and innovation
At the heart of Super60 is a modern technology platform that makes participation, competition and event delivery simple and engaging. Performances from every activation can be captured and automatically integrated into live leaderboards, allowing participants to compare their results with friends, club members and athletes across the country.
The digital ecosystem creates a connected experience for both athletes and organisers, with real-time rankings, performance tracking and seamless event management. For participants, it adds motivation, recognition and friendly competition. For organisers, it provides an efficient and scalable way to run activations, monitor engagement and connect multiple events into a single national campaign.
By combining indoor rowing’s accessibility with innovative competition technology, Super60 transforms individual performances into a shared national experience or even further…
This calendar includes all WR Indoor events (open to all), other International events, National championships and events/online challenges communicated to World Rowing.
You organise an event and want it to appear on the Worldwide Calendar? Contact us!
Event eligibility criteria and requirements to be included will be communicated soon.
Contact: indoor@worldrowing.com
Filters description: In-person = in an arena on specific date/time ~ Virtual = remote, anytime within the period ~ Virtual/Connected = remote, LIVE on specific date/time.
EVENTS WELCOME EVERYONE!
Take the plunge, join the adventure, discover, participate
Indoor Rowing offers a competition opportunity for everyone, from first-time participants to experienced athletes. Across the world, national federations and partner organizations host Indoor Rowing Championships featuring a variety of race formats, including 500m sprints, 1000m races, the traditional 2000m championship distance, team relays, and dedicated junior, masters, and adaptive categories.
These events provide a friendly and inclusive atmosphere with opportunities for all ages and abilities to compete in both sprint and endurance disciplines. For those looking to discover the sport, local challenges such as gym competitions, charity rows, school events, and corporate team challenges offer an accessible entry point with no rowing experience required.
For CrossFit, HYROX & Fitness athletes
Indoor Rowing is also uniquely positioned for CrossFit, HYROX, and fitness athletes, offering the chance to compete individually or as part of a team, compare performances on a global scale, challenge athletes from different sporting backgrounds, and progressively advance from grassroots participation to elite-level competition.
Whether your goal is to improve fitness, enhance performance in another sport, enjoy community-based challenges, or pursue a World Championship title, Indoor Rowing provides one of the most accessible sporting journeys available, taking athletes from their very first 500m challenge all the way to the highest levels of international competition.