Rowing machine vs Recumbent bike

Those were lightweight rowers on the pic, by the way, which means (by definition) they have to keep their weight below 160 lbs. If you pictured "heavyweights", you would see the vast difference. Lightweight Olympic rowers are long and thin. Heavyweights are massive, both in height and mass.

Sir Brad Wiggins (British Olympic Biking champ) just rowed in the BIRC (British Indoor Rowing Championships). He wants to make the UK rowing team. He had to put on around 30 to 40 lbs just to stand a chance. Didn't go too well for him. He looks fat at his current weight.

I have a Concept2 rower, just sold a Spin Bike. Bought (another thing you should strongly consider) a Air Dyne Pro bike. They used to be $1200, but have recently gone down in price to $900. They have handle bars and work your upper and lower body. I'm a decent (not great but regionally competitive rower) and I can do 90 minutes on a rower at a fairly fast clip. 20 minutes on this bike wipes me out! The other thing about the Concept2 or the Air Dyne Pro is, they don't lose value. Both are not motor driven. They are really high end machines that you can own 5 years, and with minimal maintenance, you can sell them for practically what you bought them for! You cannot find either for $200 less than a new one used anywhere!

I used to run and indoor rowing is way cheaper per year (around $30 a year in depreciation, that's it). I used to spend $400 to $500 a year on shoes alone.

Personally, recumbent bike would be the last bike option I'd consider (if you decide to go with a bike). Air Dyne Pro or a Concept 2 Bike first. Next would be a Xebex Bike or an Assault Bike (also great options). Then a Spinning Bike and then a Stationary Bike. If you wanted a real investment, a Watts Bike. Watts Bikes are great but very expensive (around $2500). The C2 bike is a much more reasonable version of the Watts Bike. Definitely row a bit first before you buy a rower! It's not for everyone. I'd also buy a rowing seat or pad, even if a cheap one. New rowers really hurt their bums. Heck, for that matter, I'd get a reasonable road bike and a trainer over a recumbent bike. You can find a dozen recumbent bikes used very cheap for a reason, they gather dust. Same can't be said about the other bike options. A decent road bike doesn't lose value either. Neither does a good bike trainer. The great thing about that is you can take it off the trainer on occasion and enjoy the outdoors!

MikePfirrman wrote: »

You can find a dozen recumbent bikes used very cheap for a reason, they gather dust. Same can't be said about the other bike options. A decent road bike doesn't lose value either. Neither does a good bike trainer. The great thing about that is you can take it off the trainer on occasion and enjoy the outdoors!

I agree that it seems that Concept2 rowers don't appear to depreciate in value however bikes, including very nice bikes, hemorrhage in value. Bikebluebook's value guide is a good example. There's currently an 2015 Trek Emonda SL8 on my city's Craigslist selling for $1695 (if only it was my size and I had the extra money...). That bike retailed new for $4,730. Even new bikes from previous model years depreciate quickly. One of the bike shops near me is selling a 2017 Cannondale Synapse Carbon Disc Ultegra for $500 off retail.

I use the rowing machine at the fitness center where I work. They have stationary bikes as well (not a recumbent though). I feel like I get more of a full body workout with the rowing machine. It does cardio for fat burning and I feel like I get strength training as well.
I think someone else suggested going to a gym and getting a day pass. That would be what you should do. Try them both out and see which you like better. I really think it's personal preference. I prefer to run and row over biking.

Good Luck reaching your goals!

Rowing machine (Concept 2 best) will be better all around training machine. However, you have to know how to row. I would get the rowing machine only if you can be trained by someone who actually rowed before -- as in, on the water (someone who knows what "hands-body-slide" means at a minimum). Otherwise you'll get frustrated or injured over time, and the thing will collect dust.

Wow!
This discussion has gone all over the place.
I vote for the rower.
Rowing provides some resistance and, presumably, some strength training, when done right.
I don't think a bike really does. A bike is pure cardio.
There are important advantages from doing training that develops strength.

Ultimately the decision should be based on which one you're actually going to use regularly.

I bought a C2 rower a number of years ago, rowing is a cross training activity for me, and I've never regretted buying it (I use it on average 2 or 3 times a week and alternate between steady state sessions and intervals). I also ride my bike indoors on a trainer in winter (if you already own a bike this may be an option for you too) and run outside all year 'round.

I'd second the suggestion of trying one out at the gym if you can before buying one but you should also be aware that a lot of gyms treat their rowers as a 2nd thought.

Either way if you find something that keeps you moving you're the winner!

JoRocka wrote: »

Westschmeis wrote: »

JoRocka wrote: »

IMHO a recumbent bike is useless. I never feel like they do ANYTHING for me.

I would get an actual spin bike OR a rower- I think I'd use a spin bike more- but if I go to the gym- I get on the rower over the bike.

But I think recumbent bikes are pretty much pointless.

IMHO, your humble opinion is ignorant, arrogant and thoughtless.

My wife has dementia and constant nerve pain, which leads to depression and loss of interest in any physical activity, which then deepens the depression and enervation. She went from having an exceptional memory, teaching history and psychology for 50 years to having almost zero short term memory and total sedentary lifestyle.
At the behest of her memory doctor, we purchased a fairly basic recumbent stationary bike, with good adjustment of resistance and complete statistics. Her use of that bike was the key to rebuilding muscle tone and interest in further exercises. She now has classes 5 days a week, mostly in water aerobics, plus time on the recumbent bike. Very, very far from being worthless, in our experience.

I use it a fair amount myself, especially while watching TV. Not as good as my Nordic Track ski machine, but much nicer for TV watching.

There is a very wide range of participants on this site, all of us making choices to keep ourselves more fit and more healthy. None of these efforts are worthless, no matter what your arrogant opinion is.
Wake up and smell the coffee.

I smell the coffee frequently and I'm quiet awake.

The premise of the question of a bike vs a rower indicates to me more than base level needs.
A hand bike is useful too.

But it's not going to increase my fitness at all.

So while yes- there are people who can use it- and it's not going to go to waste- and I'm really glad your wife is feeling better and her health has improved.

I agree that none of those efforts are "worthless" perhaps I was ahead of myself blatantly calling it completely worthless- but in terms of level of effort- a recumbent- even when pressed hard is pretty low on the list. For me- I can get more out of walking in place than I can on that bike- so yes - it's good for movement- but it's not good for fitness.

And that isn't arrogance. Presumptuous possibly- not arrogant. And I realize there are a large number of users on this site that aren't all trying to be Arnold- and I'm a big advocate for a lot of those people.

it still doesn't make the recumbent bike particularly effective.

A bike can be a much harder workout than walking. You just have to push harder and faster on the pedals. You can put as much or as little as you want into it.

sjcook23 wrote: »

However it is very hard to find a really good rowing machine.

I got my Concept2 on Amazon, prime shipping right to my door

Just one more thought about rowers. I'm very, very biased toward the Concept2. There's just no equal to it, not only in terms of quality, retaining value and universal use, but the "bells and whistles" too. LiveRowing (an I-Phone app), RowPro (a computer software program), ErgData and many new players make it incredibly fun. LiveRowing lets you race against others on your I-Phone virtually (recorded races but you see your face racing against an opponents boat with a face!). LiveRowing gives fantastic training advice/programs too. RowPro allows you to race others in real time! I have a TV set up above my rower and have created a virtual "row studio" where (once I get my cheap $150 computer), I can row against up to eight lanes of other rowers with my character on "water", rowing a race in real time! Just fun!

With all that said about the C2, though, they do not allow payments. WaterRowers are good (but way behind on the technology/apps to go along with the rower). Still very good quality, though, and they look fantastic. WaterRowers allow you to rent one for up to like 3 months and return it if you don't like it. If you choose to buy it, your rent goes toward the purchase. It might be a cheap way (if you don't have access to a gym with a rower) where you can try out rowing and see if you like it and would use it before spending a lot of money.