These days there is a myriad of choices available when it comes to home exercise equipment - treadmills are still an old favourite as are stationery bicycles, while stair climbers, steppers and orbital machines seemed to have gained in popularity. Strange as it seems, especially given the incredible benefits and positive aspects that they have, fitness rowers never seem to be mentioned in the same breath as these other pieces of exercise equipment.
Unlike most other exercises performed on home equipment, rowing uses all the major muscle groups: legs, arms, back, abdominal, and buttocks, in much the same way that swimming does. The legs provide most of the power in the rowing stroke, while the upper body provides the remainder. In fact, rowing is one of the few aerobic exercises or activities that can actually help strengthen your back. Rowing will also tone up your thighs and buttocks, while firming up your arms and your back muscles.
The rowing movement puts your muscles through a wider range of motion than most other exercises, helping to maintain and improve the flexibility around some of your major joints. This rowing action also tends to give you a distinct feeling of motion, making the exercise more enjoyable and satisfying.
Rowing is also a great calorie burner, in fact, recent studies have shown that rowing burns calories faster than biking, at the same perceived level of exertion. In other words, it feels much easier to burn the same calories while rowing than while biking.
This makes rowing a time efficient exercise, as it doesn't take you as long to get a great workout that offers just about everything.
Rowing is a very smooth, rhythmic action that helps your body easily "shift" into the fat burning zone, is impact free and non-weight bearing, meaning that it is much easier on your joints than jogging, running and rope jumping.
Rowing is also an exercise that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, from kids right through to grandparents.
There are many different fitness rowers available on the market today, so it can be quite a challenge to determine the best fitness rower that suits your individual requirements and budget. Here are just a few of the features to consider:
Fitness rowers use air or magnets as a means of resistance, with magnetic resistance being quieter, smoother and better (a combination of both is ideal). Belt Drive Systems rather than chain systems also tend to be smoother and maintenance free.
Good fitness rowers also have a variety of different resistance levels with the more the better. The auto or preset programs vary the magnetic resistance as you train, increasing your endurance, motivation and decreasing your boredom.
A rowing machine with a control panel or digital display that shows heart rate, estimation of calories burned and the distance travelled is a must have, as this feedback will help you get the most out of your workout. Unfortunately, the best fitness rowers with the best displays are also the most expensive.
Stationary bikes and the like usually can't be stowed away easily, so the ability to fold and store some rowing machines is a great plus if space is limited. Usually the smaller rowers can be folded and tucked away, but as more features are added to a rowing machine, the more expensive and larger they become, which also means there is less chance of them being foldable.
Unlike most other exercises performed on home equipment, rowing uses all the major muscle groups: legs, arms, back, abdominal, and buttocks, in much the same way that swimming does. The legs provide most of the power in the rowing stroke, while the upper body provides the remainder. In fact, rowing is one of the few aerobic exercises or activities that can actually help strengthen your back. Rowing will also tone up your thighs and buttocks, while firming up your arms and your back muscles.
The rowing movement puts your muscles through a wider range of motion than most other exercises, helping to maintain and improve the flexibility around some of your major joints. This rowing action also tends to give you a distinct feeling of motion, making the exercise more enjoyable and satisfying.
Rowing is also a great calorie burner, in fact, recent studies have shown that rowing burns calories faster than biking, at the same perceived level of exertion. In other words, it feels much easier to burn the same calories while rowing than while biking.
This makes rowing a time efficient exercise, as it doesn't take you as long to get a great workout that offers just about everything.
Rowing is a very smooth, rhythmic action that helps your body easily "shift" into the fat burning zone, is impact free and non-weight bearing, meaning that it is much easier on your joints than jogging, running and rope jumping.
Rowing is also an exercise that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, from kids right through to grandparents.
There are many different fitness rowers available on the market today, so it can be quite a challenge to determine the best fitness rower that suits your individual requirements and budget. Here are just a few of the features to consider:
Fitness rowers use air or magnets as a means of resistance, with magnetic resistance being quieter, smoother and better (a combination of both is ideal). Belt Drive Systems rather than chain systems also tend to be smoother and maintenance free.
Good fitness rowers also have a variety of different resistance levels with the more the better. The auto or preset programs vary the magnetic resistance as you train, increasing your endurance, motivation and decreasing your boredom.
A rowing machine with a control panel or digital display that shows heart rate, estimation of calories burned and the distance travelled is a must have, as this feedback will help you get the most out of your workout. Unfortunately, the best fitness rowers with the best displays are also the most expensive.
Stationary bikes and the like usually can't be stowed away easily, so the ability to fold and store some rowing machines is a great plus if space is limited. Usually the smaller rowers can be folded and tucked away, but as more features are added to a rowing machine, the more expensive and larger they become, which also means there is less chance of them being foldable.
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