Elliptical or Rower

Are you asking because you are purchasing a machine? Or are you going to a facility where you have a choice? I alternate between 2-3 different cardio machines weekly so I don't get into a complacent rut AND to work different parts of my body.

"An elliptical burns slightly more calories per hour than a rowing machine, according to the Harvard School of Public Health"

http://woman.thenest.com/rowing-machine-vs-elliptical-trainer-1359.html

If you are purchasing, think carefully about which motion you would prefer to do nearly every day, rowing or stepping. Calorie burns on a machine can be altered with intensity/duration.

I tend to favor the rowing machine. Like the above link discusses, it uses more of your body. I don't know what your experience has been, but there have been times when, while using an elliptical, my hands were really just along for the ride while my lower body did the work. On a rowing machine, the upper / mid / lower body motions are distinct, making it easier to make sure everything's doing its share.

In doing this, it can also help develop more muscles, which can give you a little boost as far as LBM that burns calories outside of exercise. (The muscles used also include upper body ones that can contribute to the "V" form often sought after in male physiques. It's far from my motivation for using a rower, but it's an appreciated side-effect.)


Also, when I got to a point I was looking to equip my home gym, I went with a rowing machine because it could fold up and occupy less space when not in use without losing much in the way of performance. The only thing that had to be "foldable" was the beam that does nothing except provide the track the seat rolls on. I don't know if ellipticals can fold up without having to alter the design of important moving / working parts.

I have a Weider home gym (with a weighted rowing option) and an elliptical machine. I use both - alternate days. As someone above said - I get very little in the way of arms with the elliptical. I get a LOT of upper back, core and arm workout with the rowing, but then it's weighted. The elliptical is very cardio oriented - the rower in my case, at least, is more strength oriented.

I have both & like both but if you get bored easily I'd go with the elliptical. When you row you'll either do an aerobic or anaerobic workout but the motion is the same. With an elliptical you can pedal forwards, backwards, at an incline, go hands free & do partial squats and/or oblique twists, hold hand weights.

I vote rowing ergometer. It is not purely cardio, and if done correctly will burn way more calories than an elliptical.
That Harvard School of Public Health link, if you read the whole article, the key line is actually ...
"Because of the increased muscle use necessary for rowing, your metabolism will stay elevated longer after your workout, resulting in a higher post-workout calorie burn."

So, I would say get a Concept II for home (it will come with some workouts and pictures for how to use it properly) or use one at a gym - but be sure to have someone who has actually rowed show you how to use it. Once you get the motion and rhythm correct it'll all be good. Don't be one of those people heaving and yanking on the handle with the tension cranked to 10 and then letting it pull them back to the catch position so they fly up the slide at warp speed. Aaaaaaaa!!!!! If you want to do the deadlift, go get a bar bell.

Your burn is going to be largely a bi-product of time and intensity, not what machine or exercise you are doing. Personally I would opt for a rower though...because it seems less boring.

I use the elliptical when I'm dragging and not up to a more strenuous machine. I use the rower when I'm feeling strong and can handle it. IOW, a rower kicks my butt and an elliptical doesn't.

I like the rower, too. Though, I use it to warm up before I lift (since ours is also weighted), not as my main form of cardio.

The one at my gym has games on it, basically on the technological level of Frogger or Snake, but still pretty entertaining. Plus, I get to pretend I'm Francis Underwood (House of Cards, anyone?).