Rowing has bee around for a long long time. Like running, rowing was a means of survival long before it was a sport. The Greeks rowed, the Phoenicians rowed, and the Vikings rowed � both as a means of transportation and as the primary method of maneuvering during war on the seas. Viking ships from one thousand years ago have been unearthed (they were used in burials) and reconstructed. The typical Viking ship was equipped for 30 oarsmen. A single square sail was used, but only when a tailwind prevailed. So, the legacy of piracy and plunder of the Vikings was made possible, in part, by the speed of attack they could achieve in their rowing ships. The success of the Concept 2 rowing ergometer has meant that health club members can develop substantial rowing-specific fitness without ever taking to the water. Several events now exist purely to test the competitor's proficiency on an indoor rowing ergo. In The rower of today is very different. The most popular rower is the water rower and the H2O water rowers. These rowers give the felling that you are really on the water. The sound of the water swishing around you, make you feel like your outside on the river. Water rowers have a different feel of resistance, depending also upon the amount of water in the tank. You can now get rowers that have computer display board that control the tension for you. Just like the Lifecycle type exercise bike. You just pick a program and the tension will change according to the program. On the H20 water rowers they have a simple to understand computer display. The HCI Fitness Proteus Dual Resistance Rower is the top computer controlled rower on the market today. The Kettler Band of rower is among the most durable rowers on the market today. The Kettler Coach LS is a another computer controlled rower, it works very well. The Kettler Cadett rower is very different, in that it is a piston controlled rower, but looks and feel like the inside of a crew boat. The only thing about the Kettler Cadet is it not smooth, due to the piston resistance. Our favorite rower, after tying them all is the H2o Rower series. For more info on commercial fitness call 843-636-3833