A rowbike is an example of a
rowing cycle
A rowing cycle is a wheeled vehicle propelled by a rowing motion of the body. Steering, braking, and shifting are usually done by the handlebars. Feet are on symmetrical foot rests, as opposed to rotating pedals. Unlike many rowing boats, the ride ...
, hybrid fitness/transport machine that combines a
bicycle
A bicycle, also called a pedal cycle, bike or cycle, is a human-powered or motor-powered assisted, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other. A is called a cyclist, or bicyclist.
Bic ...
, and a
rowing machine
An indoor rower, or rowing machine, is a machine used to simulate the action of watercraft rowing for the purpose of exercise or training for rowing. Modern indoor rowers are often known as ergometers (colloquially erg or ergo) because they m ...
. "Rowbike" is a
trademark
A trademark (also written trade mark or trade-mark) is a type of intellectual property consisting of a recognizable sign, design, or expression that identifies products or services from a particular source and distinguishes them from others ...
of the Rowbike company. The Rowbike was invented by Scott Olson, the creator of
Rollerblade
Rollerblade is a brand of inline skates owned by Nordica, part of the Tecnica Group of Giavera del Montello, Treviso, Italy.
The company was started by Scott Olson (b. 1960), Brennan Olson (b. 1964) and Christopher Middlebrook in Minneapolis a ...
inline skates. "Rowling" is a combination of rowing and rolling, and is sometimes used in place of rowing when describing a Rowbike.
Unlike traditional
bicycle
A bicycle, also called a pedal cycle, bike or cycle, is a human-powered or motor-powered assisted, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other. A is called a cyclist, or bicyclist.
Bic ...
s, where power is supplied primarily by the rider's legs turning pedals connected to the drive wheel through a looped chain, a Rowbike delivers power through a swinging
lever
A lever is a simple machine consisting of a beam or rigid rod pivoted at a fixed hinge, or ''fulcrum''. A lever is a rigid body capable of rotating on a point on itself. On the basis of the locations of fulcrum, load and effort, the lever is div ...
that moves a chain back and forth over the rear
cog in a reciprocating motion regulated by a bungee cord. The rowing lever is large enough that a rider will normally utilize muscles from their legs, arms, back and abdomen to maintain a steady rowing motion to keep the Rowbike in motion. Rowbikes are marketed as providing a full body workout through the rowing motion which is gentle on the rider's knees, hips and back due to the system being non-load-bearing.
Though Rowbike is primarily marketed as a fitness machine, as a rowing cycle it may also be classified as a
human powered vehicle
Human-powered transport is the transport of person(s) and/or goods using human muscle power. Unlike animal-powered transport, human-powered transport has existed since time immemorial in the form of walking, running and swimming. Modern technolo ...
, as opposed to a stationary indoor rowers. In the United States, Rowbikes are almost exclusively for exercise and fitness, rather than for transportation. Four wheel variants also exist. As with most bicycles, a stationary bike converter stand can be obtained from a third-party vendor to allow the Rowbike to be effectively used as an
indoor rower
An indoor rower, or rowing machine, is a machine used to simulate the action of watercraft rowing for the purpose of exercise or training for rowing. Modern indoor rowers are often known as ergometers (colloquially erg or ergo) because they m ...
.
Terminology
While many Rowbike parts are standard bicycle parts, several are patented and