One might ask why is there a rowing machine in the Ski Museum?
The Vermont Ski Museum partnered with the Morrisville-based company Concept2, to design some unique rowing challenges that highlight these similarities between rowing and skiing:
Focus on technique
Confidence in efficient equipment
Reliance on all the major muscle groups
Strong, supportive, dedicated, and social communities
Life-long involvement with sports
At the May 30 th kick off party, Dick Dreissigacker, one of the Concept2's founders, Olympic rower, and cross country skier, described how he started this company that now commands almost 75% of world wide oar sales. On display at the Museum are a pre-Macon wooden sweep oar that was widely used before the mid 60's, and the newest Concept2 carbon fiberglass Fat Smoothie2 sweep oar. Dreissigacker explained the technology and then demonstrated correct indoor rowing technique on the Museum's rower. He set a good pace - 293 meters in 1 minute. To stress the last two similarities - community and life long commitment to sports - the Museum invited representatives of local fitness and health -minded groups to row.
The Museum and Concept2 challenge you to help the Museum reach its goal of rowing to all the ski areas in Vermont. While rowing towards the goal, visitors can learn why rowing and skiing are good all-body workouts and how exercise and diet contribute to overall good health, higher energy levels, and better balance in life. Visitors can also appreciate some of the similarities between the equipment used in rowing and skiing. And finally, visitors will just get to use their muscles!
Earn Your Snack
Find your weight in the chart (you might have to estimate). Read across to find out how many calories you will burn while participating in each activity for five minutes.
Activities
Your weight |
Rowing |
Cross Country Skiing |
Downhill Skiing |
Walking (3 mph) |
Sleeping |
| 50 |
18-21 |
18-23 |
15-20 |
8 |
2 |
| 100 |
35-43 |
35-45 |
30-40 |
17 |
5 |
| 150 |
53-64 |
53-68 |
45-60 |
25 |
7 |
| 200 |
70-85 |
70-90 |
60-80 |
33 |
9 |
Here are some snack choices. How long would you have to exercise to burn off the calories?
Snacks
|
|
|
|
|
| 1 Apple -
80 calories |
1 Chocolate Bar -
240 calories |
4 homemade chocolate chip cookies -
185 calories |
12 ounce can of Coke -155 calories |
Burger with cheese, large fries, large shake -
1200 calories |
*These charts present very basic information about the complicated issues of your body. For example, it does not account for resistance on the rower and does not include the impact of fat and sugar from foods.
Why do you burn so many calories rowing and skiing?
Look at the diagrams below. Notice in the Rowing Techniques image how many different muscles are engaged during each motion. Compare rowing to both types of skiing and see how all these sports require you to use your arms, legs, and core muscles in your trunk. Did you feel all of those muscles groups when you were rowing?
