Home rowing machines are the closest thing you can get to a real outdoor rowing experience without actually going out on the water. This piece of equipment harnesses the elements of rowing a boat (scull) and provides a full body workout.
You board a home rowing machine just like the real boat with knees bent, feet on foot rest, and hands on the handles which serve as your oars for maneuvering. To start your workout, pull the handles to your chest while simultaneously extending your legs to push the seat backwards. This way, you are actually getting the right feel of outdoor rowing.
But it's not just the feel of rowing you are getting with home rowing machines but also the health benefits as well. As mentioned, rowing utilizes various muscle groups like the arms, shoulders, thighs, abdominal muscles and others.
Cardiovascular Exercise
Aside from that, it also strengthens the busiest muscle of the body, the heart. With a healthy heart you can run faster, play harder, last longer and basically go further. In short, it improves your stamina and endurance.
And since this is non weight-bearing exercise equipment, it hardly puts stress on your joints, giving less strain on the muscle while maximizing every ounce of energy which translates to more calories burnt.
Despite all these good things, it is hard to believe that you can get them from just one piece of equipment. Because you need just the one foldable item, you don't have to worry much as to where you can put this machine. Especially for those who have small living spaces, like those in condominiums and apartments, exercise equipment can really get troublesome if they are eating up a lot of space in your home.
Most models of home rowing machines, if not all, are lightweight and portable. These can be folded and equipped with caster for easy storage. Their size can shrink to around 20" (L) x 30" (W) x 50" (H) so they really fit under your bed or walk in closet.
Price Levels
But how much will it set you back to get your own?
There are various types of rowing machines available in the market. Different styles, designs, mechanisms, offer different results and also different price. Needless to say, a cheap machine will most likely not have top-of-the-line performance while a top-brand equipment comes with a hefty price tag.
Rowing machines have four types: piston resistance, magnetic resistance, air resistance, and water resistance. Piston resistance rowers fall in entry level category. Most of them have no leg drive capability and less accurate stroking pathway.
Water resistance rowing machines comes next when you talk about price. They use a brake flywheel that adjusts to the user's level of rowing. It increases resistance when you drive hard and loosen up when you slow down. But on the bad side, it is a little noisy and heavy because of the water tanks (where the flywheel is installed).
When you talk about noise and weight, even in terms of performance, the magnetic resistance variety topples every competition. But then again, it comes with a price, and a big one for that matter.
The last but not the least is the air resistance rowing machine. It is one of the favorites among professional and enthusiasts because it delivers almost the same performance and accuracy as the magnetic resistance version but at a lesser cost.
