Rowing machine vs Recumbent bike
beverlyems
Posts: 2 Member
I'm looking to invest in a piece of equipment at home. This is my year of no excuses. It's at home I will use it. I'm looking to get max caloric burn from the workout, overall weight loss, and tone and build muscles. Any experience using either or both machines? Which did you prefer? Pros and cons? **Note: I've never used a rowing machine before but I do love canoing. I used to ride my bike with regularity, but the weather keeps me from it most days. I think I would enjoy using either machine.
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I feel like the bike is more versatile, especially if you've never rowed before. Maybe go to a gym that has one and get a day pass to try it?2
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I LOVE rowing over biking. It works much more of my body at one time, including your core and when legs, arms or shoulders are acting up, you can still workout with mainly legs or arms. Unlike the bike which pretty much works your legs, or if you're lucky the fancy ones move your arms too. Plus, my butt never seems to hurt sitting on a rowing machine.5
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I vote for rowing over bike.
I row at the end of my workouts every other time; great conclusion to my weight training.2 -
+1 for rowing. I’ve been rowing for 18 months after being introduced to it in my Orange Theory classes. I loved it so much, I went out and bought my own waterrower for my home workouts, and I have to say it has been the-best-ever addition to my home gym. It gives you everything you need and extremely versatile. You can work drills that focus on power, endurance, speed, strength, cardio, core....everything. It actually also requires a lot of concentration to do correctly, which makes it less mundane for me. There’s a lot more to it than sitting down and start ripping. Rowing works about 85% of your muscles, so you are getting a lot done in a short period of time. You are working legs, core and back primarily. Bikes are great. I used to have a spin bike, but they work a much smaller group of muscles and get pretty boring (or at least I did).
For rowers, I’d be looking at the concept2 or waterrower. They aren’t cheap, but worth every dime. Love my waterrower.2 -
Okay. I'm just lazy then..2
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I vote for the rower. I have both at home and get a way better workout with the rower.
I have a LifeCore R1001 -
Another rower vote here too.
I've got a LeMond RevMasterPro spin bike (Original MSRP $1399; bought it for $1k used) and a Concept 2 - Model D rower (purchased new from Concept2 for $900 plus $45 shipping).
Hardly ever use the spin bike since I got the rower. The rower is more comfortable and gives me a better (full upper & lower body) workout than the spin bike (lower body only) can. I also find rowing much less boring. Hard to explain but I'm more "involved" mentally while rowing and time just passes more quickly.
I should just sell the spin bike but I don't need the money; spent extra money on a seat and clipless pedals & shoes that I'll never get back; I do still use it on occasion; it doesn't take up too much room; and, I think it looks pretty just sitting there - like a piece of art.
LOL!
OP: You have to decide for yourself whether you'd rather ride a recumbant outdoors or just use a rower in the house. There is also the option of buying an electronic recumbant bike machine that you can use indoors but that's likely to be much more expensive than a bike.
The better choice for you obviously will be the one YOU can afford andwill enjoy using most. Only you can answer that.
As suggested, you should try one out at a gym (there are lots of Concept2 rowers out there) b4 making the decision.
The only "problem" you may have with a rower is its size. My Concept2 occupies a dedicated 3x9 ft space behind a 7 ft sofa in my family room just off the kitchen. The location in my house actually makes it more likely for me to use it because I'm always in the kitchen and its always staring me in the face.
If you don't have that much room to dedicate to it, It can be stored vertically in less space and moved temporarily for use in an appropriate space (like a hallway) but then you'd have to move and set it up b4 each use; not a big deal but certainly less convenient than just leaving it in place.
Just something else to consider b4 you make a choice.0 -
Which do you think you're going to use more?
It sounds like you already have a bike and you like to ride it so if I were in your position I would get a bike trainer and see how it goes. Even a mid-range smart trainer is going to be far less expensive than a Concept2 rowing machine. There are various ways to make biking inside more enjoyable to staring at a wall (Zwift, TV, etc). If I were you I would see if you can get to a gym with a rowing machine and try it out a handful of times before buying one.
I personally prefer the bike inside to rowing but I'm also a recreational cyclist and part of the reason I bike inside is because I want to perform better outside. I also just don't have money for a rowing machine. I do like to use the rowing machine at the gym for a change of pace every so often, but really I prefer the bike.
Pros for rowing:
You're engaging more than primarily your legs
You may or may not expend more calories for the same amount of time and perceived or actual effort
You likely won't deal with the potential discomfort of a saddle
Cons for rowing:
It's expensive
There's a much steeper learning curve in terms of actually rowing with good form
It takes up more space storage wise, even if you store it vertically
Pros for bike trainer:
If you already have a bike it's far cheaper (and even if you don't it's cheaper to buy an inexpensive bike and trainer than a Concept2 rower)
There are more options in terms of good brands of trainers
Takes up a very small footprint in terms of storage
There's no learning curve
It's ridiculously easy to find lots of bike workouts, including free ones (I suspect this may be true for rowing as well)
Using things like Zwift and Trainerroad can be fun and engaging for a lot of people
Cons for bike trainer:
Your core and upper body aren't doing nearly as much work
If your butt and nether regions aren't used to a saddle it's going to not be terribly fun for the first while but it does get better0 -
I wouldn't buy a recumbant bike. it offers much less versatility than a proper exercise bike as you can only sit on it. if I bike buy one where you can also stand up, lean forwards to add chest and arm training and other things.0
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I'm a cyclist but no way would I choose a recumbent bike - a decent quality spinning type bike would be far better for the vast majority of people.
An alternative would be a bike and a turbo trainer, get outside when it's nice and hitch it up to the turbo trainer when you are driven indoors by the weather.
For home use though I would go for a rowing machine. Throw in some abs work and push ups and you have a full body workout.
But whatever cardio equipment you decide on make sure it's decent quality, gym quality essentially as budget devices are just hateful and end up being dust collectors. Try before you buy is very sensible.
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This is great input you guys!! *great tip to try one at a gym, just have to find a gym. I live in the middle of no where, it's a literal 90 mile drive to walmart. Lol* I'm leaning more towards the rower because I already have a bike I use in fair weather, but that's also a good reason to get an indoor one. Thanks so much!!4
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If the question is whether to get a Concept 2 rowing machine or a commercial quality spin bike ... get both!!
But first drop in at a gym that has these things and see what you'd like.0 -
beverlyems wrote: »This is great input you guys!! *great tip to try one at a gym, just have to find a gym. I live in the middle of no where, it's a literal 90 mile drive to walmart. Lol* I'm leaning more towards the rower because I already have a bike I use in fair weather, but that's also a good reason to get an indoor one. Thanks so much!!
You can use the following webpage to find a gym, rowing club, hotel or school with a Concept2 rower near you:
http://www.concept2.com/indoor-rowers/finder1 -
Unless you have a recumbent bike, a recumbent indoor bike does almost nothing that carries over outside0
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Concept2 rowing machine all the way.
(WaterRower an acceptable second place
)
But I'm biased cause I've been rowing since 1999, primarily on the water, top-level coxing, and now umpiring...
It does have a steeper learning curve in terms of doing it right (so, so many people in gyms do it SO BADLY WRONG that it's likely to damage the machine as well as their backs) but it's a much better workout IMO, particularly over a recumbent bike.
Of course, it depends what look you're going for as well. Stringy cardio-monster cyclist look, or well muscled rower look?
But the most important factor? If you won't use it regularly, it doesn't matter what you buy. It has to be something you enjoy using or it'll just gather dust.4 -
Concept2 rowing machine all the way.
(WaterRower an acceptable second place )
But I'm biased cause I've been rowing since 1999, primarily on the water, top-level coxing, and now umpiring...
It does have a steeper learning curve in terms of doing it right (so, so many people in gyms do it SO BADLY WRONG that it's likely to damage the machine as well as their backs) but it's a much better workout IMO, particularly over a recumbent bike.
Of course, it depends what look you're going for as well. Stringy cardio-monster cyclist look, or well muscled rower look?
But the most important factor? If you won't use it regularly, it doesn't matter what you buy. It has to be something you enjoy using or it'll just gather dust.
I do hope the bold was said in jest?
Both cyclists and rowers come in all shapes and sizes.
From my picture am I a cyclist or a rower?1 -
Mostly, yes
Although based on my mental image of the top-level pros, and road cycling rather than track (sorry, should have said that bit).
Much more of a spread in top level road cycling admittedly, given the variance in specialist disciplines within something like the Tour peleton e.g. Cav compared to Froome.
What's amused me somewhat over the years is watching many of the rowers I know try and transition to triathlon or cycling once they quit rowing. The favoured term used amongst the people I know is "Fraggling down" (based on the pipecleaner arms and legs of the Fraggles in Fraggle Rock in the 1980s/90s).2 -
It does not matter which apparatus you purchase the key is to use it. We have a recumbent bike in our family room that I rarely used, Just prior to Christmas I looked at my options for getting aerobic activity, I love to run and walk but the severe cold we are experiencing made it more difficult. I get up at 4 am and typically read the news[a[er on line, now I get on the bike and ride for 25 minutes it doesn't sound like much but that is a 250 calorie daily, I up that to 40 minutes on Saturday and Sunday. All of this means nothing if I do ot monitor my calorie intake with My Fitness Pal. The results so far are encouraging.1
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