Tasmania is taking a lead role in the project which is effectively an interstate regatta on ergo machines.

Rowing Tasmania executive officer Rob Prescott said the challenge is open to anybody with access to an ergo machine.

"It's a great way to keep engaged and have some exercise," he said.

"Rowing Tasmania fully supports the challenge. It's a great way for all people within our sport and even outside to jump on an ergo, submit your information on the website and see where you sit."

All levels of rowers are getting on board with Tamar's Tokyo Olympic hopeful Ciona Wilson challenging anyone to get involved.

"We couldn't race each other outside so we're going to go indoors instead," she said.

"I'll be going online daily to register my metres for my state and we hope to see loads of people from around the country getting involved."

In addition to Tasmania accumulating a total distance rowed to compete against other states, it is intended that prizes will be awarded for various state categories including clubs, schools, masters and non-rowers.

"It's a bit of fun to keep people active and connected while in social isolation," Prescott added.

The challenge is running between April 6 and 20. Details are on Rowing Tasmania's website and Facebook page.

Chris Symons presents a sound argument for the benefits of rowing on an ergo machine rather than a river.

"It's hard to have music when you are out on the water, plus it's a bit warmer and you don't get so wet," he explains.

"I've done a lot more hours on an ergo than I've ever done out in a boat. They are two very different sports and I would rather be on an ergo."

To be precise, Tamar Rowing Club's 61-year-old father-of-five and grandfather-of-five has spent 1500 hours on an ergo machine, mostly at his Riverside home.

That's more than two months of his life.

Symons knows this because he catalogues all his ergo rowing and is delighted to throw his experience and enthusiasm behind Rowing Australia's indoor interstate challenge.

"I've done 21 million metres, which is 21,000km, but that has been spread over nearly 20 years," says Symons, who retired as a teacher in Lilydale four years ago.

"It gets a little bit addictive.

"I've always had the goal to average 10km a day for a year but I've yet to achieve that.

"I used to sit there every night for a couple of hours and do 27-and-a-half kilometres and it was good to be able to row to a pattern.

"I worked my way up to be able to do 100km in a day and did it in 7:53.07. I'd like to be able to do that again before I die."

Symons says there is a strange appeal to the exercise and admits it is not for everyone.

"Most rowers don't actually like ergos because they associate them with testing.

"It is 95 per cent mental. You are either going to do it or you're not, it's up to you.

"Every stroke you take gives you a reading so it is totally measurable and you are always competing against yourself.

"I think the challenge is a great idea. It's a good way to kill time. everybody wants to do some training at the moment and this gives them a reason to do some.

"Tasmania has only got 2 per cent of the population so it will be interesting to see what will be our percentage of the total metres rowed."