Hi, I’m Bonnie Kaye. You can experience the challenge and exhilaration of racing in a rowing regatta without being on the water or in a boat.”
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The 19th Annual World Indoor Rowing Championships—a place where recreational and Olympic caliber athletes race side by side on Concept 2 rowing machines, called ergometers or “ergs” for short.
Bonnie Kaye stand-up
“More than 1700 participants ages 14 to 90 showed up to race at this year’s event. Testament to the diversity and growing popularity of this rather unique sport.” 
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Competitors row for 2000 meters while the audience watches their boats on a large electronic screen.
Nats crowd cheering
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Among the winners in their divisions: Ernestine Maier 90 years old.
Rob Waddell, 24, and the gold medal favorite in this year’s Olympics. 
And Sara Sargent, a 56-year old grandmother. 
Nats: “Oh yeah, fill’em up now!”  (Chris Ives, indoor rowing instructor)
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Not just a training tool for elite rowers, ergometers are being used in indoor group rowing classes at health clubs throughout the world.
Sot Sarah Mahoney/Editor-in-chief, Fitness Magazine
“It’s a great activity. It’s really a good total body toner. I think everybody who watches it thinks well, that’s just all upper body, that’s all arms. But what you don’t realize until you actually sit in one of these machines and get started is that it’s really using your whole body.”
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So jump on an erg at your local gym, and get racing! For Fitness Magazine, I’m Bonnie Kaye.