Getting in more exercise tends to be one of the most popular goals that people set. Different people have different reasons for wanting to get more fit.
Maybe you’ve decided to adopt a healthier lifestyle. Maybe you want to drop those last 5 pounds. Or maybe you simply want to figure out a way to change up your fitness routine.
Whatever the reason, if you’re thinking of upping your fitness game, you may want to consider adding rowing to your exercise regimen!
We’re all used to the typical machines- the treadmill, elliptical, or weight machines. So why not switch it up and consider a completely different machine?
What do we suggest? Well, none other than the rowing machine!
If you‘re not yet a believer keep reading for 7 amazing health benefits of switching to the rowing machine and prepare to be wowed!
Health Benefits of Rowing Machines
1. Rowing Machines Provide a Full Body Workout
A lot of exercises claim to give you a full body workout. However, most of the options out there have got nothing on a rowing machine. Seriously.
Rowing works out a whopping 86% of your body’s muscles! And, unlike other cardio machines, the rowing machine actually burns calories while also building muscle, making a great option for those who don’t want to risk muscle loss!
All in all, a single session on the rowing machine will definitely get you the vigorous, full-body workout you want!
2. Rowing Machines are Great for Weight Loss
Rowing is probably one of the most efficient ways to burn calories on an exercise machine. This is because on a rowing machine the body is doing both cardio and strength training…at the same time!
Although how many calories each person can burn is dependent on variable factors like body weight and intensity, the average person using a rowing machine can burn around 400 to 500 calories per hour! Talk about efficiency!
3. Rowing Machines Result in Less Injury
Looking to avoid getting hurt at the gym? Then you may want to rethink that cross-fit class and skip the sprint sessions and hop on the rowing machine instead!
Rowing is a low impact sport, meaning it is gentler on the body. This allows for you to ramp up the intensity without worrying about damaging your joints and muscles. The result? An intense workout with a much lower chance of getting injured!
4. Rowing Machines Result in Less Pain
Using a rowing is different from most other exercise machines because of the way it works out your muscles. Traditional machines and exercises, like squats, bench presses and treadmills, workout your muscles by adding weight to elongated muscles (eccentric movement), thereby increasing strain and muscle breakdown.
Rowing, on the other hand, actually does the opposite, adding the load when the muscles are shortening (concentric movement). This ultimately means that recovering from a session on the rowing machine will likely be a lot less painful than most other exercise!
5. Rowing Machines Force You to Work
We’ve all been there- heading to the gym after an exhausting day and only giving it half our usual effort. With traditional machines like the treadmill and spin cycle we can easily betray ourselves by decreasing our speed or reducing the bike’s resistance.
But this just isn’t possible with a rowing machine. There is no room for slacking off on a rowing machine because if you don’t give it your all the whole time, the machine will just grind to a stop.
Yeah, it’s that simple.
So if you’re looking for an exercise machine that will keep you accountable and keep your fitness goals on track, the rowing machine will get the job done!
6. Rowing Machines Lead to Faster Results
Because Rowing Machines offer both an upper and lower body workout at the same time, you’re going to see results much faster than you would using a treadmill or elliptical.
As mentioned above, rowing is a full-body workout and your training sessions will be that much tougher because of it.
That means you can expect better results, faster.
7. Rowing Machines are Super Easy Try
Rowing Machines are probably one of the least intimidating pieces of equipment at the gym. It looks intuitive- just sit and pull- and is quite fun to use!
Rowing machines are also excellent at getting good results, fast. People look and feel better after only a few sessions, which is amazing because fast results reinforce gym-goers’ decision to exercise in the first place. As a result, encouraging people to keep up the exercise routine and be even more dedicated to achieving their fitness goals.
Just make sure to keep your rowing seasons long and intense enough to actually get your heart rate up and your blood pumping though!
Conclusion
Well, there you have it! 7 reasons why you should switch up your next workout to include a stint with the rowing machine. Opting to ditch the treadmill in favour of the rowing machine has serious health benefits.
So the next time you head to the gym keep these health benefits in mind and give rowing a chance- you won’t regret it!
