Rowing machines are a versatile and useful piece of gym equipment. However, they do not get the same treatment and praise as bench presses and treadmills.
That is a real shame, especially because rowing machines tend to be less used than other cardio machines as a result of this anonymity. However, they have so much potential that we decided to consult fitness experts at Fit Athletic to share what they feel is the best use for these machines.
Cardiovascular Influence
The name ‘cardio’ for a group of exercises derives from the Latin word for heart. That’s because these exercises are actually really good for the heart and the whole cardiovascular system.
In essence, these exercises boost your heart rate, causing blood to pump through your body more efficiently and bringing more oxygen to all parts of your body.
Rowing machines are an ideal cardio exercise, as they provide the exact amount of resistance you need and they are flexible enough to adapt to any intensity.
Core Exercises
We mentioned the versatility of the rowing machines before. Well, apart from the warmup cardio exercises, rowing machines can be used to really boost your core exercises.
If done right, rowing machine exercises keep your core engaged and active. If you are new to this type of exercise, you may want to consult a personal trainer, or an experienced gym rat to help you.
The end result is likely to be a very strong core and well-defined abs, as well as strong back muscles. However, the versatility and the usefulness of the rowing machines doesn’t stop there, either.
Upper Body Strength Exercises
Unlike most other cardio equipment, a rowing machine can be a great strength exercise machine, too. If you increase the weight (or resistance, depending on the type of the rowing machine), you can get a really solid strength workout for your upper body.
Your arms, shoulders, chest, and even your back need to be fully engaged while using the rowing machine with a big load. It doesn’t take long to see the results in these regions, either. You can expect to notice changes in a matter of a few weeks.
Reach Your Fitness Goals
Even though we have mentioned only the direct effects of the rowing machines so far, that doesn’t mean that it is the only thing you can expect from this truly versatile and useful machine.
If you use it consistently and regularly, you will improve your endurance and stamina, both of which are really good starting points for reaching your fitness and athletic goals, especially in the running aspect.
Once you reach your desired form, it can be pretty easy to maintain it, too. By regular use of the rowing machine, you can stay fit and ready for any additional fitness challenges you may give yourself.
Keep Your Joints Happy
There are a lot of different cardio exercises which can be really good for you. However, many of them, like cycling, running, and squats can wreak havoc on your joints. The most impacted joints are knees and ankles, but other joints can also be put under strain while you exercise.
On the other hand, rowing machines tend to alleviate at least part of the strain you put on your joints. Instead of putting your entire body mass on your knees and ankles while doing squats, you can enjoy a sitting position while using the rowing machine.
What’s more, in order to properly use the rowing machine, you must adopt a proper posture, something many people in the modern world struggle with.
Keeping your exercise regimen as diverse as possible may seem like a daunting task, but with the rowing machine, you can cover a lot of different areas with just one machine. Why not give it a try?
