As much as rowing seems like an exercise in the arm, most of the strength for each stroke really comes from the leg push. It's also important to note that it's not just how many strokes a minute you can do, but about the quality of each stroke and how much space you can create for each stroke.
On the C2 rower:
Pull a sub-1:25/500-m pace for as long as possible
Rest 3 minutes
Pull a sub-1:30/500-m pace for as long as possible
Rest 3 minutes
Pull a sub-1:35/500-m pace for as long as possible
Rest 3 minutes
Pull a sub-1:30/500-m pace for as long as possible
Rest 3 minutes
Pull a sub-1:25/500-m pace for as long as possible
In this workout you move from each of five stations after a minute. The clock does not reset or stop between exercises. This is a five-minute round from which a one-minute break is allowed before repeating. On call of "rotate," the athletes must move to next station immediately for best score. One point is given for each rep, except on the rower where each calorie is one point.