Rowing machine health benefits
Unlike in the case of other fitness machines designed for cardio workouts such as treadmills and stationary bikes, a rowing machine is a cardio dream for many fitness enthusiasts and beginners alike. A workout on a rowing machine targets no less than 85% of the muscles in your body, which means that you will be able to activate all the major muscles in your arms, legs, back and core in order to perform the full movement properly.
Besides being able to work at any intensity you like, a rowing machine also has a low impact on your body, which means that it is a good choice for those who have injured their knees or ankles by running. Moreover, a rowing machine allows you to increase your cardio fitness as a runner without putting extra pressure on your knees.
Exercising on the rowing machine is a great way to achieve sustainable fat loss because you can raise your heart rate easily. It’s also an excellent way to improve posture because you need to be upright as you pull, so you can easily avoid slouching, which is particularly important if you have a job that requires you to sit in front of a computer all day long.
Features to consider while choosing a rowing machine
Rowing machines, with different features depending on the manufacturer and the price range are looking into. Some of the most important ones to consider when doing your research include type, resistance levels, weight capacity, dimensions and weight, as well as land of warranty and price.
Type
There are three main types of rowing machines available on the market, and even though they basically require you to perform the same motions during your workout, they are different when it comes to resistance levels and maintenance.
- Flywheel rowing machines are some of the popular ones around because they offer a feel that is similar to that of outdoor rowing. This type of machine that receives its resistance from the user’s pulling motion, which spins the flywheel. All you need to do if you want to increase the resistance of this type of machine is pull harder. This is probably the most natural rowing stroke you can achieve with the rowing machine, which sets flywheel models apart from magnetic ones.
- Magnetic resistance rower machines are some of the most silent models you can find and they used a magnetic brake system to receive resistance. Many people prefer these because they don’t produce much sound at all, which makes them ideal for those who don’t want to disturb their entire family with their morning workout.
- Finally, water rowing machines, such asthe most affordable best water rowing machine the MaxKare Water Rowing Machine, are the perfect choice for users who like to participate in outdoor rowing, because they can emulate the dynamics of a moving boat. In a similar way to rowing outdoors, the flywheel of a water rowing machine receives resistance from water. This is also very silent type of rowing machine but it comes with the added benefit of hearing the swishing of the water, which makes it feel just like the real thing.
Resistance levels
While the type of resistance you choose for your home rowing machine depends on your budget and individual fitness needs, the resistance levels are generally built inside a machine. Thus, you need to be careful about the number you want to have because you can’t change it later, except in the case of water resistance machines that don’t come with preset resistance levels because you can set them yourself by adding or removing water from the tank.
Some models, such as the NordicTrack RW900 Rower come with 26 manually adjustable resistance levels, and the machine has the ability to change them according to the present work and that you decide to go for. Others, such as the MaxKare Magnetic Rowing Machine come with 16 resistance levels that you can easily change manually.
When looking at resistance levels, you should keep in mind the fact that while beginners should be perfectly happy with a low number of resistance levels, advanced users may want to look for a rowing machine that allows them to choose from as many resistance levels as possible.
Rail length
The rail length of a rowing machine is very important especially for tall users, because having ample seat rail length is essential in order to be able to fully extend your legs.
Make sure that the rail length of the rowing machine you purchase is a suitable fit for you by making sure that you can extend your legs and arms fully forward while also being able to access controls without any issues.
Weight capacity
Different types of rowing machines can support people of different weights, so it’s important to make sure that the machine you are choosing is a good fit for everyone in your family who will use it. For example, the MaxKare Magnetic Rowing Machine has a weight capacity of the 264 lbs., whereas the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5639 is more accommodating, providing a weight capacity of up to 350 lbs.
Dimensions and weight
The dimensions and weight of a rowing machine are important not just when it comes to un-boxing and assembling the fitness equipment, but also for those moments when you want to transport it from one room to one another.
Look closely at the dimensions of your preferred rowing machine to make sure it will fit well in the space you intend to use it, be it a basement or your bedroom.
Warranty
Many of the rowing machines we tested and included in our top come with at least one year of warranty, with our editor’s choice, the Concept2 Model D providing users with two years of limited warranty and a total of five-year warranty. Make sure you read the instructions provided by the manufacturer regarding warranty when you purchase the machine, as some models may require you to register the product on the website of the producer.
Price
The price of a quality rowing machine differs according to the brand you decide to go for, as well as the number of features it includes. Some models such as the MaxKare Magnetic Rowing Machine are more budget friendly, whereas high end products with countless features and connectivity options such as the NordicTrack RW900 Rower, may cost upwards of $2,000.
