Heavyweight rowers of both sexes tend to be very tall,
broad-shouldered, have long arms and legs as well as tremendous
cardiovascular capacity and very low body fat ratios. Olympic or
International level heavyweight male oarsmen are typically anywhere
between 6'3" and 6'9" (190 cm to 206 cm) tall with most being around
6'6" (198 cm) and weighing approximately 225 lb (102 kg) with about 6 to
7% body fat.
Heavyweight women are slightly shorter at around 6'1" (186 cm) and lighter than their male counterparts.
Many rowing enthusiasts claim that the disproportionate number of tall rowers is simply due to the unfair advantage that tall rowers have on the ergometer. This is due to the ergometer's inability to properly simulate the larger rowers drag on a boat due to weight. Since the ergometer is used to assess potential rowers, results on the ergometer machine play a large role in a rower's career success.
Heavyweight women are slightly shorter at around 6'1" (186 cm) and lighter than their male counterparts.
Many rowing enthusiasts claim that the disproportionate number of tall rowers is simply due to the unfair advantage that tall rowers have on the ergometer. This is due to the ergometer's inability to properly simulate the larger rowers drag on a boat due to weight. Since the ergometer is used to assess potential rowers, results on the ergometer machine play a large role in a rower's career success.