What is the erg?

The erg, also known as an ergometer, is a piece of fitness equipment that simulates the action of rowing a boat. It is commonly used in indoor rowing, as well as in fitness centers and gyms for cardiovascular and full-body workout. An ergometer measures the amount of work being done, typically in watts or calories burned, and provides feedback to the user about their performance.

The term 'erg' is short for ergometer, which comes from the Greek words 'ergon' (work) and 'metron' (measure). In the context of indoor rowing, the term 'erg' is often used as a shorthand for the Concept2 rowing machine, which is the most popular brand of ergometer.

Aside from rowing, ergometers are used in a variety of sports and fitness applications, such as cycling, skiing, and running, to measure and track performance. They are also used in research and medical settings to measure fitness levels and track progress over time.