Rowing machines

Why You Should Consider A Rowing Machine

If you are trying to decide which exercise machine to add to your current collection, whether this is your first purchase or you have your own home gym, a rowing machine may be perfect for you. Rowing machines come in many types and with a variety of features, which means you can find one in your price range no matter what that is. There are many physical benefits to using a rowing machine.

How Do Rowing Machines Work?

A rowing machine simulates the action of rowing a watercraft. The basic design includes a seat that slides up and down a rail, a footrest, and some sort of handlebar assembly. There are many different layouts, designs, and features that have different advantages depending on your reason for using the machine and the results you want to see. Generally, there is a digital readout showing such things as speed, power, energy usage, and distance traveled.

Brief History of Rowing Machines

Rowing machines have been around since the middle 1800s. One of the first patents for a rowing machine was issued in 1872 for a design using hydraulics. The early 1900s brought machines that used linear pneumatic resistance. Many of the early machines did not simulate rowing very well, so they were not very efficient when training teams of rowers. In addition, they did not measure power output. John Harrison developed a rowing machine in the mid 1900s that used a solid iron flywheel along with a brake that worked on mechanical friction. This was the first rowing machine to accurately measure the power output that the rower was using. The 1970s brought adjustable friction options and the first air resistance ergometers or rowing machines were developed in the 1980s.

Why Use Rowing Machines?

The primary type of exercise received by working out on rowing machines is cardiovascular. However, rowing also puts stress on many different muscle groups, so the sport is usually referred to as one that promotes strength and endurance. Muscle groups that are affected directly include the lats (broadest muscles of the back), lower back, biceps, quads, calves, wrist and hands. Other muscle groups that are impacted in a less direct way include the pecs (chest muscles), triceps, and abdominal muscles. Using a rowing machine can give you the same effect as doing cardiovascular exercises and lifting weights combined. In addition to the excellent benefits individuals gain using rowing machines for fitness and burning calories, they are also used to prepare athletes for rowing competitions. In addition to competitions using boats on water, there are many indoor rowing competitions that are held worldwide.

Who Can Use Rowing Machines?

While many athletes who are training seriously for rowing competitions prefer to train on rowing machines, they are also great exercise machines for individuals of any fitness level. The exercise received while able to burn high numbers of calories is not considered high impact, so high impact injuries do not occur. With instruction on proper technique, injuries can be kept to a minimum. Whether you are training for rowing competitions or you simply want to improve your fitness levels, rowing machines can give you the benefits you are looking for.