Running or Rowing , which is better?

TonyPillz
TonyPillz Posts: 248 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I know they both have great benefits , i took a break for a month because my rowing machine broke and it tore me apart not having it , i've been back a week now and this treadmill feels like it working me twice as hard as the rowing machine. I know with the rowing machine your sat down so there for you wont burn as much stomach fat? :S Is that true?

Would you burn more stomach fat running that rowing?

Anyhow thanks for reading.

Replies

  • Unknown
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  • TKhamvongsa
    TKhamvongsa Posts: 287
    Treadmill probably is better stomach fat especially if you tighten your core while running/walking. Rowing is amazing for the arms/back I find. Depends what you're goals are. But remember you can't target fat loss, it has to come from an overall calorie deficit.
  • Greenrun99
    Greenrun99 Posts: 2,065 Member
    running only seems harder because your used to rowing..

    one may burn more calories in the same amount of time, but both burn calories.
  • thepetiterunner
    thepetiterunner Posts: 1,238 Member

    Would you burn more stomach fat running that rowing?

    Sadly, you cannot spot reduce. You'll burn fat from your entire body, not from a specific place. Either is good, it will depend on which machine you burn more calories on due to effort. Mix it up. Some of my favorite weekend workouts are a long run followed up by a good hour or two of kayaking.
  • dopeysmelly
    dopeysmelly Posts: 1,390 Member
    Why not alternate? Does it have to be all-or-nothing?
  • TonyPillz
    TonyPillz Posts: 248 Member
    Why not alternate? Does it have to be all-or-nothing?

    Sadly it does , my machine broke and i traded up for a treadmill :( Does say that in the post hun :P
  • Unknown
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  • snapehbp
    snapehbp Posts: 64
    Like you said they both have different benefits. My opinion since I do both, I feel like running works my core/stomach more as I know I keep my abs tighter? Like when I run I tend to for whatever reason, suck in my stomach if you will. (My stomach seems more relaxed when I row). Hope that made sense.
  • slk_5555
    slk_5555 Posts: 177 Member
    Why not alternate? Does it have to be all-or-nothing?

    Sadly it does , my machine broke and i traded up for a treadmill :( Does say that in the post hun :P

    Its not so clear in your original post that you no longer have the rowing machine. I'd say it just feels like you are working harder because your body has not got used to the treadmill.

    If I had the choice of the 2, i would have a rowing machine (I actually do have a concept 2). Its great for working upper & lower body. There are some great videos on technique on the concept 2 website - if you have good technique then you should be using your whole body (including core). A treadmill is not really going to work your arms, shoulders & back in the same way as the rowing machine will.
  • slk_5555
    slk_5555 Posts: 177 Member
    This is a great video:

    http://www.concept2.com/indoor-rowers/training/technique-videos

    In the finish position, you should be leaning back slightly - this engages your core. A lot of gym instructors seem to tell you to keep your body upright - but having rowed competitively, this is not correct. I guess its like any exercise machine - you get out what you put in.
  • holothuroidea
    holothuroidea Posts: 772 Member
    Running is higher impact than rowing. You should ease into running even if you're used to cardio exercise, just to give your joints and ligaments a chance to adapt to the higher impact.

    As far as working the abdominal muscles, if you're rowing with proper form you will use more core strength than in running. Running, however, requires more core stability because you have to keep yourself upright. Strength and stability are both important, and they're both good exercises for your core muscles.

    Unfortunately neither will be better than the other for stomach fat. When you're in a calorie deficit you will burn fat, but where the fat comes off is determined by your genetics not your lifestyle. You just need to keep reducing your body fat percentage until the fat comes off your stomach. It is very common for the stomach to be the last place the fat comes off, especially for men.

    Keep up the running, but definitely ease into it and give your body proper rest so you don't injure your joints/ligaments.
  • Onmyway21
    Onmyway21 Posts: 9 Member
    For my money it's rowing, hands down. Non-impact, total body, and if you do it correctly the rowing stroke is 70 percent legs, 30 percent upper-body and torso. Definitely works abs too, as slk says. I've kept off a 50-lb weight loss on the Concept2, personally I wouldn't row anything else.

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