Rowing Machines

A Rowing Machine is a piece of Gym Equipment designed to simulate rowing exercises on the ground. Rowing Machines are made up of foot plate(s), handle, seat with rail, damper and a display monitor. The damper controls how intense the workout is by making the handle resist the pull.

Before starting the workout sit down on the seat which should glide smoothly along the rail, and place both feet comfortably against the feet plates strapping in securely. The first step is to grip the handle and bring the seat forward towards the foot plate with knees bent, arms straight and body leaning forward slightly.

Next drive the seat backwards by first straightening the legs, then leaning the body back before pulling the handle towards you. Thirdly pull the handle towards the chest and finally return to starting position by straightening your arms in front, leaning forward slightly then bending the knees.

Rowing Machines are great for improving cardiovascular fitness, building muscle and losing weight. Unlike other cardio Gym Machines such as Exercise Bikes and Treadmills, Rowing Machines exercise the upper body at the same time as the lower body for a complete whole body workout. Working out on a Rowing Machine is also low impact exercise which means it does not strain the joints.

If you want to lose weight, we recommend consulting with health professionals and a personal trainer to ensure a healthy and sustainable fitness plan is in place. A personal trainer will help set achievable fitness goals and make sure you're using Home Gym Equipment safely and effectively.

In general weight loss occurs when the body experiences a calorie deficit meaning that the energy the body uses to function is greater than the energy obtained from food. It's recommended to adopt a nutritionally balanced diet alongside fitness routines.

There are four main types of Rowing Machine: hydraulic, flywheel, magnetic resistance and water.

Magnetic Rowing Machines are much quieter to use than other machines. This is because there is no friction to the resistance which is controlled by a magnetic field. Hydraulic Rowing Machines use pistons or cylinders to compress air or fluid to create tension. These models cost less and tend to take up less space, although they can’t be pulled in a way that mimics a natural rowing motion.

Flywheel Rowing Machines get their resistance from wind resistance of spinning fan blades, spinning by the pulling motion meaning more resistance the faster they're going. This provides a smooth and more natural rowing experience. Water Rowing Machines most closely replicate the feeling of outdoor rowing. Resistance in these models is controlled by the drag of actual water, and although not as quiet as magnetic models water rowers make very little noise.

Before buying any new equipment for a home gym it's a good idea to get accurate measurements of the available workout space. Rowing Machines come in a range of sizes and shapes so be sure to check which models will make effective use of the space. Many models can be folded for easy storage although a machine that is always ready to be used will help keep you motivated to workout.

Consider resistance when comparing different models as a range of adjustable resistances will be the most versatile. Remember that as you keep using the machine you'll get fitter and stronger so you should try to find a machine with a range of higher resistances to not outgrow the machine quickly.

Different resistance levels are better suited to different sorts of exercise so think about what sort of workouts you want to do before deciding. Lower resistance levels are best for cardio whereas higher levels are better for muscle building.

Rowing Machines will help build muscle in addition to giving a full body cardio workout. They target multiple different groups (around 86%) of the muscles in the human body. This is more than other exercise machines combining low impact cardiovascular exercise and muscle training into a single routine.

When done correctly rowing will help strengthen triceps, biceps, legs, shoulders, the back, abdominals and torso. This full body workout also elevates heart rate and makes the body more efficient at using oxygen during aerobic exercise.

Working out muscle groups doesn't only make them stronger, it also helps build more fat burning tissue and produces what’s known as an afterburn effect. This describes the increased rate of calorie burning that the body experiences following a rigorous workout which can last for up to three days.