Home Page

Rowing Machines

Vigorous rowing machine exercise  is one of the most effective calorie burners, potentially using up more than 800 calories per hour.

    In addition to the aerobic benefits these machines provide, they also are excellent for strengthening arm, back, shoulder and abdomen muscles. Rowing causes little to no impact on the joints, but users should be alert to strain on the knees and lower back. (Hyperextension of the back is a common mistake made by rowers.) Also, to maximize strengthening benefits to the arms, it is important to keep elbows in tight to the body.

    Rowing machines once were made with cheap hydraulic pistons, which produced a dragging rather than gliding feel. Now many units feel and sound like you are actually rowing on water--thanks to the use of flexible graphite composite and water-filled flywheel tanks. Electronic control panels will normally offer a number of pre-set program options and display elapsed time, stroke count, strokes per minute, calories burned, even tempo.