Rowing Machine Calories per Hour

By the Watta Team · Updated March 2026

Rowing Machine Calories per Hour: Rowing machine calories per hour is the estimated energy expenditure during erg training, typically ranging from 400-800+ kcal/hour depending on intensity, body weight, and fitness level.

What is Rowing Machine Calories per Hour?

Calorie burn on a rowing machine depends on several factors: body weight, exercise intensity, stroke rate, and individual metabolism. The Concept2 PM5 estimates calories using a formula based on power output (watts), which means harder rowing burns more calories regardless of body weight. A typical figure is 500-700 kcal/hour for moderate-intensity rowing, with heavier or fitter individuals burning more. It is important to note that the PM5 calorie display assumes a body weight of approximately 80kg (175 lbs). Lighter individuals will burn fewer actual calories than displayed, and heavier individuals will burn more. Rowing engages approximately 86% of the body's muscles, making it one of the most efficient calorie-burning exercises available.

Formula

Concept2 formula: Calories/hour = (2.80 / pace³) × 4 × 0.8604, where pace is in seconds per metre. The PM5 assumes ~80kg body weight.

How Watta Uses Rowing Machine Calories per Hour

Watta captures the calorie figure from your PM5 screen via AI OCR, giving you an automatic record of energy expenditure per session. The app also provides a Calorie Burn Calculator that adjusts the PM5 estimate for your actual body weight, providing a more accurate personal calorie figure.

Further Reading

Frequently Asked Questions

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Calories (Rowing)Calories on a Concept2 ergometer are calculated from watts (power output), not from heart rate or individual body composition, using a standardised formula.Watts (Rowing)Watts in rowing measure the power output on an ergometer, calculated from the pace using the Concept2 formula: Watts = 2.80 / pace³.Body Composition (Rowing)Body composition in rowing refers to the ratio of lean muscle mass to body fat, which directly affects power-to-weight ratio and erg performance.Calorie Burn CalculatorWeight Adjustment CalculatorRowing for Weight LossSteady State Rowing GuideFor Weight LossFor Beginners
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