Rowing machines!

emmab0902
emmab0902 Posts: 2,338 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I generally avoid them as find them challenging lol. But I am wondering....

1) Why do they seem to be the least used cardio equipment in the gym - is everyone like me?
2) Are they as great a workout as they seem?
3) Do they really only burn as little as MFP says - I went on one ystd for ten minutes and the screen said 105 calories (you don't enter your weight and I am 52kg) but MFP says only 74 even if you choose vigorous effort.

I think I might start using them regularly to mix things up and am sure it would help my shoulder strength which is one of my goals.

Replies

  • drakechic08
    drakechic08 Posts: 156 Member
    Ever since I saw the rowing challenge on Biggest Loser I have been in love. I find it to be one of the harder cardio excersizes out there, but I love it. The longest I have gone on one is about 5000m which took me about 28 min. But my arms sure felt it the next day. I think it is a great way to shake up your routine and get your arms going.
  • arc918
    arc918 Posts: 2,037 Member
    They are an awesome workout, but you have to learn how to use them correctly.

    You can not just jump on and start yanking and sliding all over the place.

    Search for "proper erg form" on youtube

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhGfdYlXqBI
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    They're an excellent workout but proper form is critical or you may end up hurting your back.

    I have one at home ( a Concept2) that I like to use 2 or 3 times a week for cross training (my main activity is running). If you do it right you'll get a full body workout, take the time to learn to use on properly & have fun!
  • irisheyez718
    irisheyez718 Posts: 677 Member
    We don't have them at my YMCA, but I'd love to give them a try!
  • AggieCass09
    AggieCass09 Posts: 1,867 Member
    I LOVE the rower...it is a killer work out that is low(er) impact than running.

    try to do a 2000m row as fast as you can....KILLER! (8:10 is my best)

    form is super important; the movement is driven by your LEGS not your arms/back/shoulders!!!
  • Topsking2010
    Topsking2010 Posts: 2,245 Member
    Awesome workout but it can be stressful on your back if not done properly.
  • mustgetmuscles1
    mustgetmuscles1 Posts: 3,346 Member
    People dont use them because they are difficult. lol I do 10 minutes on back and leg day as a warmup. Very hard to maintain proper form once you start to get fatigued.

    I dont know about burn rates though. It seems for how difficult it is and how much of the body it uses it should be burning as much as other machines. I think most of the burns from the other machines are over estimated so who know which is correct.

    I guess they just dont burn that much after all. Oh well still going to do it.
    http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/exercise/SM00109
  • Flixie00
    Flixie00 Posts: 1,195 Member
    The rowing machine was my first love in the gym and really helped me become cardio fit. I don't use it quite so much any more but did 30 mins / 6800 m this week. At peak times in my gym you can't get on the rowing machines.
  • saschka7
    saschka7 Posts: 577 Member
    I just started using the rowing machine at the gym a few weeks ago and I love it! I had tried it before but had given up because I couldn't figure out how to use it and it felt weird (because I didn't have the hang of when to use my arms and when to use my legs). I looked up instructional videos on YouTube and checked out a few websites.

    This might help:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6lIWbPgxBo&feature=share&list=PLaFQH3SqwnLKCnZ_CBeA_zT1fnk4n_kMx
    and
    http://youtu.be/zQ82RYIFLN8

    What I like about it is that it doesn't hurt my knees like an elliptical machine and I find it takes more mental engagement than other cardio machines, which is something I generally don't look for in a cardio workout :happy: It's not hard (once you get the hang of it). Any hamster (myself included) can use a mindless cardio machine: sometimes it's good to have a skill-based activity that you can improve upon.
  • irishcanadianwoman
    irishcanadianwoman Posts: 147
    They are great, but earlier posters are correct. You must get your form right. YouTube has some good training videos on erg use. Maybe a supervisor at your gym knows how to use them and can give you an instruction session or two.
    I row (on water, in an 8) and use rowing machines at the boathouse if weather is too poor to go out on the lake. It is a great exercise!
    I don't know how MFP estimates the calorie burn! Nobody knows....
    Have fun!
  • linzisparkles
    linzisparkles Posts: 42 Member
    We have a "wave" rower at home that uses water in a drum for resistance. I use it in almost all work outs but I wish we had a traditional one instead. The water doesn't offer as much resistance as I would like!
  • Chipmaniac
    Chipmaniac Posts: 642 Member
    I generally avoid them as find them challenging lol. But I am wondering....

    1) Why do they seem to be the least used cardio equipment in the gym - is everyone like me?
    2) Are they as great a workout as they seem?
    3) Do they really only burn as little as MFP says - I went on one ystd for ten minutes and the screen said 105 calories (you don't enter your weight and I am 52kg) but MFP says only 74 even if you choose vigorous effort.

    I think I might start using them regularly to mix things up and am sure it would help my shoulder strength which is one of my goals.
    1. I think they aren't used because they are tough due to the lack of relative rest periods. You're either rowing, or you aren't.
    2. Yes. It's a great full-body workout. I try to do a half-hour row (about 6500 meters) at least once a week.
    3. I'd go with the machine or a HRM. MFPs estimates are often way off. I only use them if I don't have another source of info. If you are rowing vigorously (e.g 30 SPM) then you should have at least a 10 calorie per minute burn. Your weight matters little on a rowing machine as you are rolling on ball bearings. It's the resistance of the fans/water etc. that matters.

    The rowing machine is mentally and physically grueling due to the lack of let up but worth it. You also can't drink or wipe sweat, which complicates things.
  • IronSmasher
    IronSmasher Posts: 3,908 Member
    People don't like stuff that works.
  • jenhowse1
    jenhowse1 Posts: 49
    People don't like stuff that works.

    And that hurts!
  • jenhowse1
    jenhowse1 Posts: 49
    THey are a great machine but in general gym instructors don;t know how to use them problem. The concept 2 website is useful for hints.

    As you can tell from my photo I use the rowing machine! THere are also loads of races out there if you want to get competitive - My profile photo was from the World Indoor rowing championship in Boston this year.
  • mustgetmuscles1
    mustgetmuscles1 Posts: 3,346 Member
    THey are a great machine but in general gym instructors don;t know how to use them problem. The concept 2 website is useful for hints.

    As you can tell from my photo I use the rowing machine! THere are also loads of races out there if you want to get competitive - My profile photo was from the World Indoor rowing championship in Boston this year.

    Thats awesome. I didnt even know there was such a thing.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    THey are a great machine but in general gym instructors don;t know how to use them problem. The concept 2 website is useful for hints.

    As you can tell from my photo I use the rowing machine! THere are also loads of races out there if you want to get competitive - My profile photo was from the World Indoor rowing championship in Boston this year.

    Thats awesome. I didnt even know there was such a thing.

    Check out concept2's web site - they also run lots of challenges and have training tips. The concept2 challenge on Facebook this month is 60 minutes straight rowing.....the longest row I've done so far is 10,000m in about 47 min.
  • jenhowse1
    jenhowse1 Posts: 49


    Check out concept2's web site - they also run lots of challenges and have training tips. The concept2 challenge on Facebook this month is 60 minutes straight rowing.....the longest row I've done so far is 10,000m in about 47 min.

    There are also records for ultra distance stuff. I'm on a couple of these.

    http://www.concept2.com/indoor-rowers/racing/records/ultra-distance/100000-meters

    http://www.concept2.com/indoor-rowers/racing/records/ultra-distance/24-hours
  • mustgetmuscles1
    mustgetmuscles1 Posts: 3,346 Member


    Check out concept2's web site - they also run lots of challenges and have training tips. The concept2 challenge on Facebook this month is 60 minutes straight rowing.....the longest row I've done so far is 10,000m in about 47 min.

    There are also records for ultra distance stuff. I'm on a couple of these.

    http://www.concept2.com/indoor-rowers/racing/records/ultra-distance/100000-meters

    http://www.concept2.com/indoor-rowers/racing/records/ultra-distance/24-hours

    Thanks. I think that would kill me. LOL

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