Thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic, the year that is 2020 has seen a huge increase in the amount of home gyms and outdoor workouts. Now with winter just around the corner, people who love doing their workouts outdoors, now that the colder weather is on its way, is going to be a challenge. If you are looking to still get in your cardio workout and not have to go outside or sitting on a bike for hours, then a rowing machine could be a great addition to your equipment arsenal.
The biggest myth about rowing machines is that they solely focus on exercising your upper body. If you use the machine in the correct way, this is not the case.
Ian Creighton, who is a Crossfit level 2 trainer from New York recently told Men’s Health that if you use the machine correctly, your using power from your lower body like your hamstrings as well as your glutes. They will feel the pinch when you are finished. Ian goes on to say that your upper body does not get away with anything either, as it will take some of the strain as well.
It is a great source of cardio and it can also improve your performance in other gym workouts.
This website is supported by readers. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Some of the advantages of rowing at home
There are numerous advantages to having a rowing machine at home. The one the sticks out are that both the muscles in your arms and back will get a great workout. You will also tone up your legs at the same time because your lower body also gets in its share of exercise. Rowing in general is a superb way to get your aerobic exercise in because you do in fact reap the cardio benefits from using it.
Rowing machines are thought of by many to be a low impact piece of equipment. This is because the machine does not put a huge amount of strain on either your legs or back. This simply means that you if have any problems with joints in your body, then a rowing machine could potentially be the best possible workout for you. Add to that you will see your endurance increase; weight is going to be lost and at the same time you will be having fun while doing it.
Let us have a look at the best rowing machines that will not blow your budget.
The Resistance Type
When looking at purchasing a rowing machine, the very first thing you should think about is the resistance system it has. There are three main types, all within the budget range. They are Hydraulic, Magnetic and Air resistance.
We found through our research that the hydraulic resistance machines are smaller and cheaper, and they are quiet as well.
The Levels Of Resistance
Another important thing to factor in is the number of levels of resistance the machine has. The main reason that you will be using a rowing machine outdoors it that you want to increase your levels of fitness. You can start off on the lowest setting the machine has however, you do not need to start there.
With the more choices you have in terms of resistance, the more flexibility you will have to gain and increase your levels of fitness and in turn you will not get bored using your rowing machine.
On top of that you will be able to slowly increase the level of intensity when you do a full-body workout. It might also get your heart rate increasing while you are in fact doing an exercise that is low impact.
There is going to be significantly less amounts of stress on your body. This is going to give you the ability to easily change between both aerobic and anaerobic phases for better results for your fitness levels.
The Height and Weight Capacity of the rowing machine
Now this is important for people who are taller or for people who tend to weigh more.
If you fit into either of these categories, then you will need to have a look at the machine’s descriptions of the length of the side rail. That is where your seat is attached and the longer is it, then the better suited it is for people who are taller.
On top of that, you will also want to make sure that your machine is made from the strongest material possible, which in most cases is steel. You are going to find that all makes, and models are going to have descriptions for you to look at in terms of how much weight is recommended for the machine. To be on the safe side, you are better to get a machine that is not close to the limit of your current weight.
The LCD Digital Monitor
The more expensive your rowing machine is, the more high-quality features it is going to have. For example, the display monitor on your machine will show a lot more information about your current workout then most of us need.
We highly recommend having an LCD monitor that is simple and limits what is shows you, so you are not overwhelmed with information.
In addition, it will not distract you while you are working out because the numbers are usually clear and big enough for you to read and you will still have a general idea about your current progress.
We suggest a monitor for your rower that shows you the number of strokes, how many calories you have burned as well as how have you have rowed (mileage).
We hope this article has helped you in giving advice when you do decide to buy a rowing machine.
