Rowing machines? What exercise machine should I buy us?

Verity1111
Verity1111 Posts: 3,309 Member
edited December 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
My husband and I want to exercise more, yet I find it SO difficult to work out with DVDs. It just does NOT interest me. I love machines. I love the eliptical (standing or seated), the leg press(I think? You push with your legs and you can add or take off weights before you lift....), and exercise bikes too. I used to adore the treadmill, but I am not in very good shape and my heartrate spikes like CRAZY on the treadmill. Like I hit 180bpm in less than 2 minutes, no joke. I think it scares me, which makes my hr spike. lol. I always feel like I'll fall off of it. I want to do some cardio and tone...I was going to check out craigslist as well as online to find a machine that suits my needs. I specifically am most worried about my core/abs and my toosh! lol. I want to tone as I work out.....Would a rowing machine be helpful? I read that it helps to tone multiple parts of your body as you exercise. I don't want to spend a lot of money....which is why I'm looking on craigslist. I seen one of those for about $100 on there and online too. I can probably go higher than that, but if I can find a nice one cheap, so be it! So, what is your favorite machine or what has worked for you? (especially to tone/work muscles!!)

Replies

  • SwindonJogger
    SwindonJogger Posts: 325 Member
    There is only 1 rowing machine that I would recommend and it's the Concept 2.
    They last forever and have the best community of followers. Unfortunately your budget is way too low. Start saving and scour the ads for a 2nd hand one. A model C or D.
    NOTHING else comes close.
  • chantalm15
    chantalm15 Posts: 31 Member
    Just a heads up but I used to row at the college level and the erg (which is the rowing machine you're looking at!) is a machine where you need proper technique so be sure to check out some websites or videos! I see tons of people on the erg at the gym and you can really injure yourself if you do it wrong or prevent yourself from getting the most out of your workout because of an incorrect motion. Just letting you know but it's definitely an amazing workout! A spin bike is also a great machine if you are looking for other options!
  • Verity1111
    Verity1111 Posts: 3,309 Member
    There is only 1 rowing machine that I would recommend and it's the Concept 2.
    They last forever and have the best community of followers. Unfortunately your budget is way too low. Start saving and scour the ads for a 2nd hand one. A model C or D.
    NOTHING else comes close.
    No actual budget, I am just looking used at the moment, so it was cheaper :] Thank you lots! I will look it up and see what I can find used or new.
  • Verity1111
    Verity1111 Posts: 3,309 Member
    Just a heads up but I used to row at the college level and the erg (which is the rowing machine you're looking at!) is a machine where you need proper technique so be sure to check out some websites or videos! I see tons of people on the erg at the gym and you can really injure yourself if you do it wrong or prevent yourself from getting the most out of your workout because of an incorrect motion. Just letting you know but it's definitely an amazing workout! A spin bike is also a great machine if you are looking for other options!
    Definitely looking for any options! I have NO clue about machines really....I walk in the gym and if a machine is easy enough for me to figure out on my own, I use it. If I am scared my form will be off, I don't. I'm not into injuries, you know? lol. I definitely would look it up and I already did a little...I just noticed there are a lot of different rowing machines, so I would need to buy it THEN see how that particular one works. I heard a lot about spin bikes, but I have no idea what it is. lol....I would gladly read if anyone wants to share their information. :]
  • Dave198lbs
    Dave198lbs Posts: 8,810 Member
    while a rowing machine is good cardio do not buy one. you wont end up using it much, trust me.

    do not buy an elliptical, a good one will be too large and takes up too much space and will end up in a corner or in the basement or garage buried under clothes.

    get an exercise bike. you can use it whie watching tv and its easier to move around and doesnt take up too much space. get the best one you can afford. a noisy one and/or an uncomfortable one will not get used and also end up in the garage.
  • Verity1111
    Verity1111 Posts: 3,309 Member
    while a rowing machine is good cardio do not buy one. you wont end up using it much, trust me.

    do not buy an elliptical, a good one will be too large and takes up too much space and will end up in a corner or in the basement or garage buried under clothes.

    get an exercise bike. you can use it whie watching tv and its easier to move around and doesnt take up too much space. get the best one you can afford. a noisy one and/or an uncomfortable one will not get used and also end up in the garage.
    Why exactly wouldn't I use it? Looks like fun to me..and I LOVE LOVE LOVE to work out at the gym/with machines. I used to go 5hrs per day 5 days per week....that was in high school (2008) but I have two kids, so it is really difficult to find time to go or someone to take care of them. I just figured I could bring the gym to me instead. lol! I love elliptical too...lol It is a little more difficult than a bike, but more fun to me. Oddly, I don't watch tv :/ Only when I eat, with my husband since we don't spend much time alone together besides that and he likes tv. lol. I could probably do that while I work out to pass time though because if I have a machine I will likely use it at least 2hrs per day. Maybe four. Won't an exercise bike only be cardio/not work muscles? Well if you have any recommendations of a specific one let me know & I'll look into different ones. Thanks for the input.
  • Dave198lbs
    Dave198lbs Posts: 8,810 Member
    please believe me...shooting for 4 hours a day isnt a good idea and basically over kill and with kids, not very realistic

    you wont end up using the rowing machine much because-

    A) its hard work and a bit awkward at slower speeds...its a good cardio workout but a good rower is expensive and for a first machine, I wouldnt advise it ...believe me, you wont use it everyday and certainly not for 2 hours much less 4

    B) it gets boring real fast and is usually noisy

    the elliptical is huge when its inside your house. In a big gym you dont notice how much space these things take up. plus the kids WILL climb on whatever you get and the elliptical isnt a good idea for a small kid.

    the bike is your best bet because its easiest to move around, you can read if you arent a tv watcher, and is the most available.
  • Dave198lbs
    Dave198lbs Posts: 8,810 Member
    p.s. elliptical does NOT work muscles enough, nor does a rower really. they work the heart muscle i.e. cardio

    the bike will "tone" your legs a bit at high resistence but it isnt really "working" muscles much either. all of these machines are basically ways to burn calories but not work muscles all that much
  • BerryH
    BerryH Posts: 4,698 Member
    Have you considered running outdoors? It's free and much easier than a treadmill to adjust your pace to keep your heart rate down to a level that's comfortable. You can do try couch to 5K (C25K), which has you running for just one minute at a time with walk breaks.
    http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

    Here are my beginner's running tips:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/BerryH/view/20-things-i-wish-i-d-known-about-running-when-i-started-103936

    Bear in mind point one:
    When you start out, it’s HARD! Even if you think you’re fit, running is so different to anything else you’ve done before you will get out of breath quickly. Stick with it. Can’t manage a minute? Go slow. Still can’t? GO SLOWER!

    Don't rely on any cardio machine to "tone" your muscles, you need separate resistance training. Google some body weight exercises initially (push-ups, crunches, squats, lunges etc.) before you consider investing in weights.
  • Verity1111
    Verity1111 Posts: 3,309 Member
    please believe me...shooting for 4 hours a day isnt a good idea and basically over kill and with kids, not very realistic

    you wont end up using the rowing machine much because-

    A) its hard work and a bit awkward at slower speeds...its a good cardio workout but a good rower is expensive and for a first machine, I wouldnt advise it ...believe me, you wont use it everyday and certainly not for 2 hours much less 4

    B) it gets boring real fast and is usually noisy

    the elliptical is huge when its inside your house. In a big gym you dont notice how much space these things take up. plus the kids WILL climb on whatever you get and the elliptical isnt a good idea for a small kid.

    the bike is your best bet because its easiest to move around, you can read if you arent a tv watcher, and is the most available.

    p.s. elliptical does NOT work muscles enough, nor does a rower really. they work the heart muscle i.e. cardio

    the bike will "tone" your legs a bit at high resistence but it isnt really "working" muscles much either. all of these machines are basically ways to burn calories but not work muscles all that much
    I have a whole empty room in the attic for it lol, but I'm confused now...I was told by other people that rowers help tone/work a lot of muscles. I still have to see what kind of bike I would want. I am not shooting for 4 hrs, I am just being logical. I worked out for 2hrs per day when I was pregnant..(which was a few months ago.) and it would have been more, but well I was pregnant. I was told to limit it to an hour a day eventually.. I'll see. Maybe I should try a few machines out that I haven't used yet. I could find a free week pass to a gym that has machines mine doesn't have and test them out too I guess, but I just thought of that now. lol Thanks!
  • Verity1111
    Verity1111 Posts: 3,309 Member
    Have you considered running outdoors? It's free and much easier than a treadmill to adjust your pace to keep your heart rate down to a level that's comfortable. You can do try couch to 5K (C25K), which has you running for just one minute at a time with walk breaks.
    http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

    Here are my beginner's running tips:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/BerryH/view/20-things-i-wish-i-d-known-about-running-when-i-started-103936

    Bear in mind point one:
    When you start out, it’s HARD! Even if you think you’re fit, running is so different to anything else you’ve done before you will get out of breath quickly. Stick with it. Can’t manage a minute? Go slow. Still can’t? GO SLOWER!

    Don't rely on any cardio machine to "tone" your muscles, you need separate resistance training. Google some body weight exercises initially (push-ups, crunches, squats, lunges etc.) before you consider investing in weights.
    Hey there. I will be doing extra resistance training as well. :] I plan to do squats/crunches mostly. I have some weights all set and ready for that lol. I use them already sometimes, but I switch exercises and videos a LOT because I get so so so so bored. I prefer working out with machines because I am sort of a techy lol. I start thinking about how they work and who designed them and a bunch of other funny stuff and forget Im even working out at some point! I love the tips, but I will be honest.....I am VERY self conscious and I actually have a dreadful fear of running in public. My last goal, like when I am fit & active permanently, is to run a race.. We'll see how that works out of course! I ran a few blocks a few months ago (I tried walking for exercise, but again, I was bored after a couple weeks) outside and it was like winning the lottery for me. It was a huge step even if it sounds stupid.. The only exercise I actually enjoy is at a gym or a pool....Sadly I don't have room for a pool. :/

    P.S. Despite my fear...couch to 5k may work because I can run short sprints, but I'm not yet comfortable to run miles in public, so maybe working my way up slowly would work. I can walk forever no problem if I have am mp3 player. LOL.
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