The Benefits Of Using Rowing Machine To Workout



Posted: Monday, May 05, 2008

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The rowing machine is actually one of the greatest exercise equipment you will find at your local gym. However, most people do not take advantage of it, because they do not understand how to use it. Rowing machine exercises provide a whole body workout, in much the same way as swimming. You will be able to get a cardio workout, burn several hundred calories, and build muscles in various parts of the body. The rowing machine is a excellent choice - try it next time you go to the gym.

When you use a rowing machine, it is important to be sure that it fits you. Adjust the foot straps for your height, making sure that your heels are comfortably resting against the base of the foot pedals, and the straps are secure. If you have not used the rowing machine before, start on a lower setting. Use a firm, but relaxed grip, and pay attention to your technique. Using a rowing machine incorrectly will result in an incomplete workout, and possibly some extra soreness or injury. Allow your leg and hip muscles to perform most of the work and avoid arching your back too much as you finish a stroke. Straight posture is important, but allow yourself to lean forward a bit. Your elbows should be close to your body while performing a stroke.

Use of a rowing machine is divided into three basic parts. The first is called the catch, the second the power stroke, and the third the recovery. During the catch, your knees will be bent, and close to your body, and your upper body should maintain good posture while leaning forward a little. During the power stroke, you will extend your legs, pressing down on the pedals, and bring your hands up towards you while exhaling. Once you reach the maximum extension, you can lean back slightly. Avoid leaning too far so that the muscles worked by the rowing machine will receive the most benefit. During the recovery, you return to your original position.

Rowing machine exercises can burn as much as eight hundred calories, and work most of the major muscles in your body which includes legs, arms, torso, and stomach. Using a rowing machine is an excellent way to get a total body workout all at once, and it allows you to take off fat and keep fit. Next time you are at the gym, skip the line for the treadmills and check out the rowing machine. It does not get a lot of use, but it is still a great fitness tool. You will be amazed by the total body workout benefits that come with using the rowing machine. If you discover you like it, you might want to buy a rowing machine of your own to use at home. Indoor rowers not any more expensive than other types of home gym equipment, and you will probably get a lot more use out of them. If you would like to get in shape all at once, rowing machines are one of the best ways to do it.

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Alan Robinson is the author of  RowingMachine101.com. Visit his website for more information on rowing machines and fitness tips.
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Top-level comments on this article: (2 total)
» left by Ex-Couch Potato
from Vancouver, B.C. 2 years 104 days ago.
I agree with everyting above. Rowing is an amazing way to build up strength and burn calories, which is absolutely vital for most of us sedentary urbanites. A 50-minute walk in the park or down the street will never help you burn as many calories as a 50-minute rowing workout. In my case, a friend of mine, a rowing coach the Vancouver Rowing Club at Stanley Park, recommended taking up rowing as the only kind of exercise where every muscle in your body gets a proper workout. Being a bit on the heavy side and not much of an athlete, I was a bit hesitant but I trusted his advice. So I ordered an indoor rower from Vermont and three weeks later it was delivered straight to my home. Six months later I cannot imagine myself living without my rowing machine. Rowing five days a week (Wednesdays and Sundays are rowing-free) is enough to give you visible results and allow for the body to recover. True, weight loss may not be fast but as long as you don't overeat, it will be happening. Just be sure to burn at least 500 cal a day, otherwise calories you gain from food will compensate the daily loss earned by sweating. A DVD inside gives you all the basics. Breathing is very important but very soon all movements get automatic and you can watch TV or listen to the radio and row at the same time. Bottom line: from my experience as a low-activity, middle-aged guy, time spent rowing out on the water or in your home gym is worth every dollar spent. Guys and gals, you'll never regret buying it, just be sure to increase your resistance level and distance covered slowly and gradually and don't push yourself too hard.

 

» left by Anwar Jones
from London 1 year 204 days ago.
Yes, the rowing ergometre is a fantastic bit of kit to use in your exercise programme. However, do use it effectively, the user's technique has to be good. I see very few people in the gym use the apparatus corectly. I fortunate to have been a coxswain and used this machine to assist me in my weight lose regime. Gyms should concerntrate on technique before allowing their clients to bash up and down the slide hitting their knees and throughing the body forward. I'm able to row comfortably at 26's without my feet being strapped in. I sure if clients were given better technique coaching, this bit of kit would be more frequently used. In my mind the best cardio machine invented.
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