Stroke Power (Peak Watts)

By the Watta Team · Updated

Stroke Power (Peak Watts): Stroke power is the peak or average watts generated during a single rowing stroke, with the PM5 calculating power from the flywheel acceleration during the drive.

What is Stroke Power (Peak Watts)?

Stroke power is the watts generated during a single drive phase. The PM5 calculates instantaneous power from the rate of flywheel acceleration during the drive. The display can show this as instantaneous watts (updating each stroke), average watts (running average), or on the force curve as the area under the curve. Peak single-stroke power for elite male rowers exceeds 1000W; recreational rowers typically generate 150-400W per stroke. Average watts over a workout are lower because they account for the powerless recovery phase. Stroke power is the most direct measure of muscular output and is the primary input for split time calculation. Improving stroke power through technique and strength is the most direct path to faster splits.

How Watta Uses Stroke Power (Peak Watts)

Watta extracts average watts from the PM5 display and uses it as the primary input for the Work Output component of the Effort Score (35% of total). Higher average watts at the same body weight produce higher Work Output scores.

Further Reading

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good average watts on the erg?
Recreational: 100-200W. Competitive club: 200-300W. Collegiate: 300-400W. International: 400-500+W. These are 2K test averages. Steady state averages are significantly lower.
How do I increase my stroke power?
Three approaches: improve technique (better drive sequence = more efficient power transfer), build leg strength (squats and deadlifts), and practise rate-capped rowing (forces more power per stroke). Technique improvements give the fastest returns.
Is power the same as split time?
They are directly related by the formula Watts = 2.80 / pace³. Higher watts always means faster split. However, the cubic relationship means small split improvements require large power increases — going from 2:00 to 1:55 requires ~30 more watts.

Related Content

Watts (Rowing)Watts in rowing measure the power output on an ergometer, calculated from the pace using the Concept2 formula: Watts = 2.80 / pace³.Force CurveThe force curve is a graph on the Concept2 PM5 that shows how much force you apply to the handle during each stroke, used to diagnose rowing technique.Split TimeSplit time is the pace expressed as the time it takes to row 500 metres on an ergometer, displayed in minutes and seconds (e.g. 2:00.0/500m).Average WattsAverage watts is the mean power output sustained across an entire rowing workout or interval, providing a single number to summarise overall intensity.Peak WattsPeak watts is the highest power output recorded in a single stroke on a rowing ergometer, reflecting your maximum explosive power.Split to Watts ConverterWatts to Split ConverterHow to Improve Your 2K TimeErg Technique GuideFor Competitive Rowers
Free on iPhone

Every erg counts.

Photograph your erg screen after the piece and Watta logs it for you.

Download on the App Store

iPhone, iOS 15.1 or later · no subscription · Android beta

See everything Watta does