How this calculator works
Concept2 rowers report a split, the time per 500 metres, and a watts value derived from the flywheel speed. The published relationship is watts = 2.80 divided by pace cubed, where pace is seconds per metre. A 1:45 split is 105 seconds for 500 metres, or 0.21 seconds per metre, which gives about 302 watts. Because the relation is cubic, saving a few seconds per 500 metres costs a lot more power.
Formula
Pace (s/m) = time in seconds / distance in metres. Split = pace x 500. Watts = 2.80 / pace cubed. For a target watts value, pace = cube root of (2.80 / watts), time = pace x distance.
Worked example
A 2,000 m row in 7:00 takes 420 seconds, so pace is 420 / 2,000 = 0.21 s/m and the split is 105 seconds, or 1:45 per 500 m. Watts = 2.80 / 0.21 cubed = 302.4. Holding 300 watts for 2,000 m gives a pace of 0.2105 s/m and a time of about 421 seconds.
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Frequently asked questions
Why does a small change in split change watts so much?
The formula cubes the pace. Reducing the split from 2:00 to 1:55 raises the pace by about four percent, but the cube raises the power by about 13 percent.
Are Concept2 watts the same as cycling watts?
No. They come from a different mechanical model and measuring point. Use the rowing number for rowing training and comparisons on the same machine.
Does drag factor change the split?
The relationship between flywheel speed and watts is fixed by the monitor, but drag factor changes how the flywheel responds to each stroke. Compare splits at a similar drag factor for a fair test.