The Top Three Benefits of Rowing
1.It works the majority of your muscles.
Rowing is a full-body workout that uses the majority of your muscles. It targets many major muscle groups in your arms, legs, core, back, and chest. This makes it a solid alternative to the treadmill or bike, which both focus on the lower body and even the elliptical, which might give you a bit of arm movement but doesn’t work your abdominal muscles like a rowing machine.
2. Rowing strengthens your cardiovascular system
While it works a lot of muscles, rowing is also a cardio exercise, strengthening your heart, lungs, and blood vessels. It’s also a low-impact exercise, which makes it a great alternative to running or jogging. It’s like strength and cardio workout rolled up into one!.
3. It’s a great workout for beginners, those with visual impairment, and those who suffer from injuries.
Rowing is not just for hardcore athletes. The intensity of a rowing machine workout can vary greatly based on how fast you move through the stroke and many rowing machines also offer the option of adjusting resistance. Once you’ve learned the basics of rowing stroke, it is an excellent option for those of all fitness levels to try.
With its seated position and repetitive motion, it is even good for those who are blind or have low vision. As a low-impact exercise, rowing can also burn some serious calories without stressing out your joints, making it a good form of exercise for those who might suffer from injuries or are in the early stages of osteoarthritis.
Ready To Get Started?
If you’re looking to purchase a rowing machine, they are often cheaper than a treadmill or elliptical. They’re also much quieter and many are collapsible, making them an ideal piece of equipment for those who might live in a condo or apartment.
Before you get started with rowing, we highly recommend checking out the fundamentals of rowing form and starting slowly to focus on form. While rowing is an amazing workout and certainly worth trying, bad posture can lead to injury or strain on your body.
Lower back pain is a common concern for many who are new to rowing. This can happen when you do not engage your abdominal muscles with each stroke, and the lower back is forced to compensate. Be sure that you push with your legs first, then lean back with your abs tight, and lastly pull your arms back toward you.
Then, on the way back in, lead with your arms shooting out in front of you, then your core leaning forward and your legs bending back in. Check out our Rowing Intro in the CardioCast Workout Guide to learn the basics!.
To avoid injury, it’s best to focus first on maintaining proper form and turning down the resistance or stopping when you are too tired to maintain proper form. Just remember, engaging all your muscles in the rowing stroke is a critical part of maintaining a safe rowing form, but it’s also what makes it such a great workout.
A little rowing can go a long way. You’ll likely row for less time than you’d spend on the treadmill, bike, or elliptical, so if you get tired, give it a rest before your form starts to break down.
Rowing activates many muscle groups in your body and can be a great high-intensity exercise, making it an excellent way to torch calories, build strength and endurance, and maintain cardiovascular health. Are you ready to get started?
