Rowing machine

SisterSueGetsFit

Hi! I’ve just started using the rowing machine at the gym and I’m loving it! Curious about the benefits though. I can REALLY feel it in my shoulders and upper arms and my heart rate is definitely more elevated. Could this be considered a combined strength and cardio workout?

tinkerbellang83

I don't know about the machines but I definitely would consider my actual rowing a combination of resistance and cardio. It helped me build a little muscle last year.

blobby10

I understood rowing to be one of the best all-round workouts you can do! If you are using the correct technique it not only works your arms/shoulders but also your abs, glutes and hammies.

sijomial

Your power comes predominately from your lower body when rowing so I think you would do well to check your technique if upper arms and shoulders are feeling it more. The Concept2 web site has some good tutorials.

It's cardio exercise with a large element of resistance but not what I would call a strength workout.

AnnPT77

Seconding the idea that power should be coming from legs and back not just arms, so if your upper body only is sore, there are probably technique issues. Fix them when starting out if you can - Concept 2 beginner videos are good, expert coaching is better - because it's much harder to correct once bad habits are grooved into muscle memory.

With correct technique, rowing will build a little muscle, but only very slowly. Weight training is faster. Also, rowing is all linear lower body push and upper body pull: Unbalanced. To reduce injury risk, balance it with some lower pull/upper push and lateral work, ideally.

Since I'm bad about taking my own (very good) advice about balance, my profile pic, for the good or bad, is an example of results primarily from rowing (machine and boats) very frequently for around 15 years.

Tammyrae99

Pretty much! :-)

SisterSueGetsFit

Thanks everyone! I will surly look into the youtube videos as I seem to be doing a lot more pulling with my arms (after I extend my legs) than I am pushing with my legs. In any event, it feel good and I enjoy it. That's half the battle.

cwolfman13

sijomial wrote: »

Your power comes predominately from your lower body when rowing so I think you would do well to check your technique if upper arms and shoulders are feeling it more. The Concept2 web site has some good tutorials.

It's cardio exercise with a large element of resistance but not what I would call a strength workout.

This^^