Rowing machine

eemott
eemott Posts: 46 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I'm trying to vary my cardio workouts so I've switched from the elliptical to the rowing machine. Today is my second day and my lower back is sore but that's about it. Anybody have any good experiences? Is it worth the switch?

Replies

  • mjenne74
    mjenne74 Posts: 40 Member
    I personally think the rowing machine is going to work completely different muscles from the elliptical so I think it will be a good switch and help in your weight loss. I have an elliptical at home and no gym so I can't switch and don't use it. But I think it would be a great upper body workout with cardio. Where I feel the elliptical is more lower body with cardio. Good luck! :)
  • IronSmasher
    IronSmasher Posts: 3,908 Member
    If you start getting sore, there's nothing to stop you swapping between the two.


    Look after your lower back when rowing.
  • SJ46
    SJ46 Posts: 407 Member
    It is a great idea to switch things up and keep your body guessing, you will get fitter faster this day and thus be able to work harder.

    The rowing machine is awesome because it works your upper back, arms, legs, core, and butt. Be sure to sit tall with your abdominal muscles engaged to protect your lower back when you are rowing.
  • SailorSarah311
    SailorSarah311 Posts: 172 Member
    Back pain is normal for the rowing machine. Like said before you are working different muscles, so you are going to feel it in different places. As long as you sweat and get your heart rate up then you will burn the calories. Switch it up every week or ever other workout session. This will trick your body into thinking that it's doing something new.
  • IronSmasher
    IronSmasher Posts: 3,908 Member
    Back pain is normal for the rowing machine. Like said before you are working different muscles, so you are going to feel it in different places. As long as you sweat and get your heart rate up then you will burn the calories. Switch it up every week or ever other workout session. This will trick your body into thinking that it's doing something new.

    Are you sure you meant to tell someone that feeling back pain is normal during exercise?
  • arc918
    arc918 Posts: 2,037 Member
    Rowing machine is a great workout, but unlike many other cardio machine, proper technique is essential. You can't just sit down and start yanking the handle and sliding back and forth.

    Check youtube for "erg form" or technique

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhGfdYlXqBI
  • Onmyway21
    Onmyway21 Posts: 9 Member
    If you're feeling pain on the machine you need to tweak your technique. Also be sure you're not jumping into it too quickly - the typical advice is to start with 5 or 10 minutes on the machine and build up from there. Row on!

    Sarah
  • rduhlir
    rduhlir Posts: 3,550 Member
    I love the rowing machine, but the gym I am at right now doesn't have one.

    I always start slow on them....just as Onmyway21 says...ease into it. Start with 5-10 minutes, break, then do another 5-10 minutes on something else, and then add 10% on each week.
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    Rowing is a great exercise (primarily for your quads and glutes) but it is tough on your lower back.
    Build up slowly and don't do back to back days at first. Don't row with too high a stroke rate.

    Get either a trainer or an experienced rower to help you.
  • BadAzzBea
    BadAzzBea Posts: 461
    It is a great idea to switch things up and keep your body guessing, you will get fitter faster this day and thus be able to work harder.

    The rowing machine is awesome because it works your upper back, arms, legs, core, and butt. Be sure to sit tall with your abdominal muscles engaged to protect your lower back when you are rowing.

    ^^^This

    Rower is a great full body work out. Just make sure ur using ur power house legs and squeeze that core!

Categories