A rowing machine to simulate the action of rowing a watercraft includes an energy damper, a handle, and a tensile member connecting the handle to the energy damper. The handle includes a grip member with a right hand grip and a left hand grip, and a connecting member connected to the tensile member. The connecting member is configured to transmit a force from the tensile member to the handle such that the force is substantially centered between the left hand grip and the right hand grip. The grip member is configured to rotate relative to the connecting member and provide at least one of a haptic indication and an audible indication when the grip member rotates relative to the connecting member from a first position to a second position that is substantially ninety degrees from the first position. The simulation may include actions to replicate feathering an oar.

A computer-implemented system for an exercise machine includes a mechanical energy storage device and an apparatus configured to supplement the resistance of the mechanical energy storage device with an added resistance and dissipate the energy of the mechanical energy storage device and an associated athlete. A communication pathway enables the exercise machine to communicate with at least one additional associated exercise machine to duplicate the total resistance in the exercise machine to an associated exercise machine. A central server includes a processor, memory, and a networking interface. A first user device includes a display, a processor, a memory, and a networking interface. The central server receives data from the exercise machine, extracts synchronization performance information from the data, and transmits the synchronization performance data to the first user device where it is used to train an athlete for an athletic endeavor.

An exercise machine includes a cyclical actuator and a mechanical energy storage device. Connective structure operatively connects the cyclical actuator to the mechanical energy storage device. Motion of the cyclical actuator urges physical motion of and energy storage in the mechanical energy storage device. The exercise machine further includes an electric machine. A communication pathway enables exchange of data between multiple associated exercise machines such that multiple associated operators on multiple associated exercise machines have a common experience.

A training apparatus for the simulation of rowing training includes a rolling seat to be moved linearly back and forth on a guide on a frame. Two handles which can be rotated independently of one another are mounted on an oarlock shaft. The oarlock shafts are connected to a drive mechanism in a force-flow connection. Upon introduction of force to the handles, power is output to a braking device via a drive mechanism, which has a freewheel between the oarlock shafts and the braking device. Upon actuation of the handles in a first direction about the axis of the respective rowlock shafts, power is transmitted to the braking device, and, upon actuation of the handles in the opposite direction the handles return without power being transmitted to the braking device.

Disclosed are computer-implemented techniques for providing immediate feedback to rowers for training and other activities to improve competitiveness of rowing crews. The techniques include a computing device receiving from a set of stroke unit devices, data that represent changes in acceleration of users' seats corresponding to users' strokes, receiving reference stroke data corresponding to a reference user's stroke, and generating from the received data from the set of stroke unit devices and the received reference strokes data, feedback data that correspond to relative stroke timing differences of each of the users, relative to the reference stroke, and transmitting the generated feedback data to user devices according to a feedback mechanism. Various feedback mechanisms are disclosed including visual, audio and tactical feedback mechanisms.

A training apparatus for the simulation of rowing training includes a rolling seat to be moved linearly back and forth on a guide on a frame. Two handles which can be rotated independently of one another are mounted on an oarlock shaft. The oarlock shafts are connected to a drive mechanism in a force-flow connection. Upon introduction of force to the handles, power is output to a braking device via a drive mechanism, which has a freewheel between the oarlock shafts and the braking device. Upon actuation of the handles in a first direction about the axis of the respective rowlock shafts, power is transmitted to the braking device, and, upon actuation of the handles in the opposite direction the handles return without power being transmitted to the braking device.

Disclosed are computer-implemented techniques for providing immediate feedback to rowers for training and other activities to improve competitiveness of rowing crews. The techniques include a computing device receiving from a set of stroke unit devices, data that represent changes in acceleration of users' seats corresponding to users' strokes, receiving reference stroke data corresponding to a reference user's stroke, and generating from the received data from the set of stroke unit devices and the received reference strokes data, feedback data that correspond to relative stroke timing differences of each of the users, relative to the reference stroke, and transmitting the generated feedback data to user devices according to a feedback mechanism. Various feedback mechanisms are disclosed including visual, audio and tactical feedback mechanisms.

An exercise machine includes a cyclical actuator and a mechanical energy storage device. Connective structure operatively connects the cyclical actuator to the mechanical energy storage device. Motion of the cyclical actuator urges physical motion of and energy storage in the mechanical energy storage device. The exercise machine further includes an electric machine. A communication pathway enables exchange of data between multiple associated exercise machines such that multiple associated operators on multiple associated exercise machines have a common experience.

An exercise machine includes a cyclical actuator and a mechanical energy storage device. Connective structure operatively connects the cyclical actuator to the mechanical energy storage device. Motion of the cyclical actuator urges physical motion of and energy storage in the mechanical energy storage device. The exercise machine further includes an electric machine. A communication pathway enables exchange of data between multiple associated exercise machines such that multiple associated operators on multiple associated exercise machines have a common experience.

The spa rowing adapter is a device for installation within an existing pool or spa that transforms the pool or spa into a rowing machine. The user grips lever arms, pulling on the arms from a seated or standing position in a rowing motion. In contrast to the prior art, the spa rowing adapter uses a resistance cylinder rather than floppy resistance bands or bungee cords. The resistance cylinder provides an adjustable amount of resistance during both the extending and retracting motions. The resistance cylinder changes length in response to a force, with the resistance of the motion set by an internal mechanism. The internal mechanism is adjustable by the user through rotation of a collar.