Reasons Why you Should Start Using a Rowing Machine
Rowing Machine Benefits: You don’t have to be a competitive rower to reap the benefits of rowing.
Get this: Rowing machines, also known as ergometers or ergs, use up to 86 percent of your muscles. This, in turn, helps endurance, strengthens, and tones the muscles.
It won’t be incorrect to say that a rowing machine is the most underrated piece of gym equipment. You would see people flocking around the treadmills and stationary bicycles, but rowing machines hardly find any takers.
If you too are among those who avoid getting on a rowing machine, it is time to change your approach towards this amazing piece of equipment.
Rowing even provides some surprising benefits for your heart and lungs.
Rowing Machine Benefits: 8 valid reasons to use a rowing machine
1. It is a Full-body Workout
Rather than targeting every muscle group individually, we mostly look for exercises that work on multiple muscle groups at one time. Rowing is a perfect choice of exercises for all those who have a crunch of time but want to get a good workout session. This single exercise activates more than 86 percent of the muscles of the body. Besides, it is a low-impact activity, that means if you have lower back or knee pain, you can still do this exercise.
2. It can be Meditative
The smooth, repetitive steps of the rowing stroke have a calming effect and help to connect mind and body. The continuous movement releases endorphins, which are those feel-good hormones that reduce stress. Performing this exercise regularly can even combat cognitive decline.
3. It is an Effective Aerobic Exercise
Performing cardio exercises is important for people of all age groups. It helps to strengthen the heart and lungs muscles. Being aerobic exercise, this workout helps you lose weight, increase stamina and strengthen the immune system. Rowing is an intense workout that helps your heart to work harder to transport oxygen and blood to different parts of the blood. It could help to reduce the risk of heart diseases.
4. It is Good for People of all Fitness Levels
To use a rowing machine, you do not have to be a pro. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, in any case, you can hop on a rowing machine for a good workout. As long as you have an ergometer, you can easily add rowing to your exercise routine. You do not have to learn any skills to use the machine.
5. Improves Conditioning
Rowing gives your legs and arms an excellent workout. The sliding seat provides a lower body workout and rowing targets the arms and shoulder muscles. This workout also targets your tummy and glute muscles. Moreover, it helps to improve posture and strengthen the back muscles.
6. It’s Great for the Heart and Lungs
As a cardio exercise, rowing strengthens the cardiovascular system, which includes the heart, blood vessels, and blood. It’s responsible for transporting important materials, such as nutrients and oxygen, throughout the body.
Since rowing is such an intense workout, the heart has to work hard to transport more blood to the body. This can improve heart strength.
This may be beneficial for those who have or could be at risk of heart problems.
7. It’s a Great Alternative to the Treadmill or Elliptical
When it comes to exercise machines at the gym, you may overlook the rowing machine at first.
However, this may quickly diminish once you compare it to different exercise machines, such as the treadmill and the elliptical.
For example, the treadmill focuses mainly on the lower body, while the ergometer provides a full-body workout. While the rowing machine and elliptical both work the upper and lower half of the body, the rowing machine also works the abs with each stroke.
There are other important differences to note as well, especially when it comes to owning a machine. Since a rowing machine can be folded up, you can stow it away when you’re not using it. This is a real benefit for those living in tiny spaces.
Also, if you live in a condo or an apartment where people are below you, a rowing machine is much quieter than a treadmill.
Rowing machines also tend to be more affordable than treadmills.
8. It’s Low-impact
Rowing burns serious calories without putting added stress on your joints. It allows you to control the movement and pace, and it is a great exercise to turn to for active recovery.
It’s sometimes recommended as an exercise option for people with early stages of osteoarthritis.
The same can’t be said for high-impact exercises, such as running or plyometrics.
8 Reasons Why you Should Start Using a Rowing Machine