Background information
Rowing like there’s no tomorrow – part 2
by Patrick Bardelli
ISPO 2019: Is this the rowing revolution?
6.2.2019
Translation: machine translated
Video: Manuel Wenk
My mission: to find an innovative rowing machine. Preferably as quiet and compact as possible. I land on the "Augletics Eight", which makes me sweat with its "Virtual Coach".
I run to row. Community member thomas.berger posted a comment asking for an innovative ergometer. So off we go to Hall A6, where the large machines can also be found at ISPO under the Health & Fitness label. Well-known brands such as Kettler, Tunturi and Horizon are exhibiting their range here. There is no great rush of onlookers, manufacturers and retailers are engrossed in their discussions, the equipment is more deserted than in any gym.
Networking is the order of the day. I'm shown a few things and my suspicions are confirmed: the reinvention of the rowing machine is not in sight. Model maintenance is in the foreground. Resistance is still generated magnetically, by water or air, with water and air ensuring a higher noise level but offering a more realistic rowing feel than a simple magnetic brake. Hybrid devices that combine an air and magnetic system are also available.
The wall-mounted stature shows me the way
There is only one place left where I can still hope for a rowing aha experience. The hall where the top 50 newcomers present their products. And sure enough, a giant stares at me from a flyer, who can only be a rower. That's right. Karl Schulze, double Olympic champion in the quadruple sculls, next to the logo of Augletics. I didn't know the brand yet, Carsten is about to change that. He doesn't have the stature of an Olympic champion, but he's standing next to me now and can talk like a medallist. He also has a sense of humour. Innovations? Here? Nope. Wink, wink. The sales manager sends me to the Augletics Eight Style to convince me that the German start-up has developed nothing more and nothing less than the smallest professional rowing machine in the world. The best anyway. And smart too.
A shiny thing from Königs Wusterhausen
It looks beautiful. A shiny stainless steel housing combined with wood. Inside is an electronically controlled eddy current brake developed in-house, which is designed to provide optimum resistance right from the start in the pulling phase and create a rowing sensation just like on the water. Very quiet and low-maintenance, all "made in Germany".
The 10-man company is based in Königs Wusterhausen near Berlin and Carsten is the only one who doesn't have much of a rowing background. Nevertheless, he teaches me how to row. On the one hand, of course, he knows how to do it. On the other hand, the Virtual Coach, which Augletics also developed itself, helps. You can get an impression of it in the video above.
Sensors measure what I do during my rowing attempts and provide feedback in real time via the colour display: movement sequence, stroke length, pre-roll, rhythm and consistency are evaluated in a network diagram. The virtual trainer also has suggestions for improvement in store. In addition to coordination training, it offers strength and endurance programmes for every training level.
I slowly row myself into the flow, Carsten is reasonably happy with me: "Yes, that looks much better!" If you don't have Carsten next to you and want some entertainment, you can also load a route on the Spree, Seine or Thames onto the touch display and simulate competitions. The training data is logged, and there are also interfaces to common fitness apps and software updates.
I'm sweating, the Augletics Eight is purring
I'm working up a sweat. The Augletics Eight purrs evenly. It really is quiet. And as a beginner, the direct feedback helps me to correct my mistakes. However, ambitious rowers are more likely to have a high-end manufactured ergometer like this in their home. It takes up a bit of space there, but when folded up it looks no worse than many a sculpture in the pedestrian zone.
Even if Carsten is a born salesman: with prices starting at 2,500 euros, I don't have to pull myself too hard to resist. I'm not swimming in money, I'm just rowing here. On the most innovative ergometer I came across at ISPO 2019. It won't cause a revolution, but it will be a pioneer. Being measured and entertained even better during training - that's the trend. The masses will continue to train in the traditional way for the time being. Colleague Bardelli is in the process of proving that you can also happily row through hell on tried-and-tested equipment such as the bestseller from Concept2.
Michael Restin
Senior Editor
Michael.Restin@digitecgalaxus.chSimple writer and dad of two who likes to be on the move, wading through everyday family life. Juggling several balls, I'll occasionally drop one. It could be a ball, or a remark. Or both.
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