Indoor rowing machines are a very popular form of exercise machine. They simulate the action of rowing a boat or scull in water. You glide backward and forwards on a seat as you pull on the oars, as you would in a real boat. Rowing has long been recognized as one of the best forms of all-round exercise.
Indoor rowing is a very efficient calorie burner, up to 800 calories per hour. They give an overall body cardiovascular workout. You will have the benefits of strengthening arms, back, shoulders and abdomen muscles. Legs are stretched and toned up.
One big advantage of an indoor rower is that due to the sitting position, the exerciser's body weight is taken off the injury-prone areas, such as hips, knees, and ankles. This is a reason that many competitive rowers are still rowing well into their 70’s. These machines can be used by anyone from teenagers right up to senior citizens.
The only caveat is that you do have to watch out for back strain if you overdo it. The best technique for staying injury-free is to focus on your breathing and the mechanics of the exercise.
You need to get the right rhythm, exhale on the drive and inhale on the recovery. The technique for the stroke is to use the large muscles of your thighs to do most of the work in the stroke. Do not make the mistake of using your upper body to do most of the work.
Non-rowers commonly make this mistake. Ensure that the upper body never goes too far forwards or backward, so safeguarding your back. Keep elbows tight to the body. Remember that you do not have to go at this like a mad thing to get the benefit. Be sensible and build it gradually and you will reap the rewards.
There are a variety of types available. The earlier models used cheap hydraulic pistons. These are not recommended now. The more modern types of rowers give a much better sensation of actually rowing through the water. They achieve this by use of graphite composites and using flywheel tanks filled with water. Others use air resistance or magnetic resistance.
Home machines can sometimes be folded up for easy storage, but the better water-filled rowing machines are probably best left set up. Most machines, particularly the water rowers, are very quiet in action.
In fact, indoor rowing has become so popular that there are now a large number of championships around the world. Lots of categories in these allow entrants of all ages from teenagers through to rowers over 90.
It has moved on from simply a form of exercise. The resistance on the machines can be individually adjusted to make it fair to everyone.
So, in summary, rowing machines are probably the most effective cardiovascular exercise available, used in a responsible manner. As a fun and enjoyable exercise, indoor rowing has elevated beyond simply exercising to a worldwide competitive sport.
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