If you’ve been to a gym in the past couple years, you may have seen a line of rowing machines ready to go. Rowers have become a lot more popular in the past couple years and for a good reason: they provide a great workout for a wide range of fitness goals. Row machines are excellent for conditioning, while also improving your overall fitness and even building full-body strength. At Body By Ford, we are fortunate enough to have some of the best rowers on the market – the Assault Rower Elite.
Here are just some of the benefits of using a rowing machine:
1. Improve Cardiovascular Conditioning
Rowing machines are an effective way to improve your cardiovascular fitness. The steady rows get your whole body in motion and the machine adds resistance, meaning you’ll be getting your heart rate up. That in turn will help you burn calories and improve your overall fitness.
2. Work Multiple Muscle Groups
Row machines provide a great full-body workout, engaging multiple muscle groups including your arms, back, core, and legs. One study found that using a rower activated nine different muscle groups and over 85 percent of total body musculature. This type of full-body muscle activation gives rowing an edge over other cardio, such as running on the treadmill.
3. Incorporates into a Variety of Workouts
Rowing machines offer versatile options for a range of fitness goals. You can spend 30 minutes racing to “beat” your 2000 meter PR or you can incorporate short bouts of rowing into a circuit routine. Some machines even offer HIIT programs through their digital console.
4. Easy to Use
Rowing machines are great for beginners. You can adjust the resistance level to suit your fitness level and start at a slow pace to get used to the rowing motion. As with any exercise, start by maintaining proper posture (don’t let your back and shoulders slump forward), and remember that you should be doing most of the work with your legs, not your arms. Once you’re comfortable rowing and start building up your fitness level, you can increase speed and resistance to continue getting a vigorous workout.
5. Low-Impact Exercise
Row machines provide a low-impact form of exercise, meaning they’re suitable for those with joint issues or recovering from an injury. They also remove the risk of falling that can come with using a treadmill. Rowing can also reduce the risk of hyperextension, making them more suitable for knee-injury rehabilitation than other low-impact conditioning tools such as stationary bikes.
Overall, row machines are a great piece of gym equipment that can offer a variety of benefits. From improving your cardiovascular fitness to building strength and power, they’re a great way to get a good workout. If you’re interested in how rowing can help you meet your fitness goals, reach out to us at Body By Ford!
