Beastly Quote by Brad Alan Lewis
“One training device is the ergometer. I never owned one, never trained on one, and practically never used one. The few national team tests I took on ergs were dismal failures, which worked wonders to further my dislike of these beastly creatures. Boring. Tedious. Noisy. Ergs have greatly cheapened rowing. Graceless. Greasy. Grim. The erg is to rowing what having sex by yourself is to having sex. Stop it!”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Rowing commentary, 1990s
The speaker criticizes the ergometer, calling it noisy, boring, and detrimental to rowing’s elegance, equating it to a solitary, unsatisfying experience.
In simple terms: Erg is seen as a poor, unfulfilling substitute for real rowing.
Key Takeaway
Avoid relying on ergometers for authentic rowing experience.
Themes
training
equipment
authenticity
Mood
frustration
disdain
critical
Type
cautionary
critical
When to use this quote
- team practice
- personal training
- competition preparation
- coaching sessions
Key Concepts
rowerg
technology
experience
Questions to Reflect On
- Can you find a balance between erg work and on-water practice?
- What aspects of rowing are lost on an erg?
A Different Perspective
Ergometers can still be useful for conditioning when used appropriately.
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