Fitness For Better Health

The rowing machine has been around for decades, but it's only now that people are beginning to realize the full benefit of this piece of equipment. The health and fitness benefits of rowing machines are not only impressive but inherently results driven. Here's why:

1. Improves Cardiovascular Fitness 
Whenever you perform sustained exercise that increases your heartrate and breath volume, you're working on your cardiovascular fitness.  Rowing is great for the heart and lungs because it engages every major muscle group of your body. That, in turn, requires your heart to pump more blood to your working muscle tissue to deliver energy and nutrients to your cells while buffering away waste byproducts, including carbon dioxide and lactic acid.

2. Increases Total-Body Muscular Strength and Endurance
When rowing, as with swimming, you can actually increase both your muscular strength and muscular endurance (although endurance is the primary benefit). This is because you're repeatedly pushing and pulling against resistance for the entirety of the workout, spurring physiologic adaptions that enable a muscle group to continue. What really makes rowing standout is that it works your entire body.  During the drive phase, you're engaging the major muscle groups of your legs, then your core, and finally your upper body and back.  This repeated exertion helps improve muscular endurance across muscle groups.

3. Low Impact
As long as you maintain good form, rowing is easy on the joints.  Your feet remain in contact with foot pads and your hands keep in contact with the handles, therefore, there's little to no impact being placed on joints that are prone to injury (i.e. ankles, knees, hips, elbows, and shoulders). This also makes it an appropriate form of exercise for those who are recovering from an injury or who feel physically uncomfortable during weight-bearing exercises, such as walking, jogging, or other aerobic activities.

4. Can Be Performed Individually or as a Group
Just like water-based rowing, workouts performed on rowing machines can be done individually or in a group setting. In fact, group rowing classes are popping up across the country as an alternative to group cycling classes. They're held much the same way with high-energy instructors, pumping music, and a loosely choreographed routine set to the beat of the playlist.  It's a fun option for those who want the benefits of rowing, but don't want to exercise alone.

5. Accessibility
Not everyone has a lake or river nearby,  not to mention a boat. Machine rowers are available at almost all gyms, they're available year-round, and they don't require users to wear a life jacket or know how to swim.  In other words, pretty much anyone can give them a try.

As you can see, there is nothing but positives to using the rowing machine and it compliments any workout plan.  The benefits/results are there whether you add a 10 minute ride to the end of a current workout or incorporate 20-30 minutes to a cardio day. If you have never used a rowing machine before, ask for tips from a trainer to ensure you're using it properly.  And, as with any form of exercise, start slow and work your way up.

Let me know what you think and enjoy your workout.

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Rowing Stats: Health & Fitness