7 Great Benefits Of A Rowing Machine
Nowadays, rowing machines have become the hottest trend in gyms all over the world. A study conducted in the USA saw that nearly 11.71 million people worked out on rowing machines in 2017!
Well, if you’re also planning to hit the gym but are unsure of the benefits of a rowing machine, read this article and resolve all your doubts!
1. You get a full-body workout
A lot of people are under the misconception that rowing machines only help to exercise your arms, but in reality, this machine can help you to get a total body workout.
According to the American Fitness Professionals Association, when you row, it consists of 65-75% of leg workouts and 25-35% of upper body workouts.
Rowing targets your quadriceps, arms, abdominal muscles, obliques, and calves, just to name a few. So even if you work out for a few minutes, your entire body gets the exercise it needs.
2. It is adaptable
No matter what kind of workout you’re aiming for, a good rowing machine can deliver it to you in the most perfect way possible!
This is because a rowing machine will respond to how strongly you push or pull so that you can take your time and adjust yourself with the entire process.
Even if you’re thinking of working out for a short while (for example, high-intensity interval training), your rowing machine will be the perfect companion. On the other hand, if you’re up for a steady-state aerobic session, you’ll still be able to handle it well.
3. Anyone can use it
And by this, we truly mean anyone!
People with low vision (or even complete blindness) can exercise using a rowing machine. As long as anybody has access to an ergometer, they can safely use this gym equipment.
4. It is time-efficient
As we have already told you earlier, rowing works out a lot of muscles in your body simultaneously.
So naturally, it saves you quite a lot of time. Instead of hopping from one machine designed to strengthen your arms to another one that’s meant to tone down your legs, rowing can take care of all that.
Even if you work out for as little as 15-20 minutes, your body will feel the exertion. If you’re a beginner, start with slow strokes and then slowly increase the strength as well as the time limit.
5. It is low-impact
The best thing about rowing machines is that you get to work out efficiently without hurting your joints or muscles.
Since you get to control the pace at which you’re exercising, you can always make sure that there is no extra strain on your body while working out.
In fact, people suffering from the early stages of arthritis are often advised to use rowing machines to keep themselves fit. Rowing also improves your joint torque, as well as your elbow and knee movements.
6. Your grip strength improves
Did you know that you can increase your grip strength just by pushing and pulling the handlebars of a rowing machine?
Nowadays, advanced rowing machines, such as the ones from Lifespan Fitness, come with specially-designed handlebars that are solely meant to improve your grip.
Once your grip strength improves, your upper limb functions, and your bone mineral density will also show positive changes. However, be sure not to grip the bars too tightly, as that can impact your grip negatively.
7. Your mental health gets better
Working out on a rowing machine isn’t just about improving your body or posture. When you work out properly, you feel a sense of connection between the body and the mind. This is why people who row boats often feel an extreme sense of calmness.
While rowing in the waters may not be possible for you, you can still get a similar sense of peace by rowing indoors. Rowing promotes the release of endorphins, or feel-good hormones, that make you relaxed.
Over to you…
Today, you’ll find rowing machines in almost any gym in the world, and gym instructors even organize special rowing group sessions. In terms of the overall fitness of both body and mind, rowing is incomparable!
