One of the Earliest Fitness Machines
Rowing exercise machines were patented as early as 1871 and were developed to maintain the fitness of competitive athletic rowers. Exercisers other than rowers began to use the machines because they were found to be a very good source of overall fitness. Rowing works all four limbs and the torso of the body and it is aerobic, working the cardio-vascular system very effectively. Rowing exercise is also very low impact and does not negatively affect any joint in the body. Doctors have recommended rowing as a means of strengthening the lower back.
Rowing machines come in a variety of forms, but they are basically a device with a seat mounted on a track, with a footpad and pivoting oars. Resistance is provided by several means; weights and pulleys, pneumatic cylinders, hydraulics or spring tension. The exercises on the rowing machine are intended to simulate actual rowing in a racing scull. The seat slides on the track so the legs are involved, providing additional thrust to the rowing motion on the oars. A rhythm is easily established that controls the amount of work being done by the exercise; the faster the rowing, the more work is accomplished.
The advantages of rowing exercise:
- The machines are good for home use as well as in the fitness club
- The exercise is a very good fat-burner, a high-caloric burner
- Good fitness is promoted
- Good exercise for neophyte fitness seekers
- Can be done indoors in any weather
- Exerciser can watch TV or listen to music during the exercises
- There is no knee or ankle pressure
- Develops some leg strength as well as upper body and core
- Some machines have fans to help cool the skin during the workout
Some negatives about rowing machine exercise:
- The repetitious exercise may become boring
- Aerobic exercise does little to boost the metabolism
- The better machines are not cheap
- There is a lot of noise associated with rowing machines
Most of the negatives can be worked through, particularly if a TV or music system is used for entertainment while rowing. The calorie burning is very effective and rowing will produce the same work in 20-25 minutes as 35-45 minutes on other aerobic equipment. For the budget conscious, used rowing equipment is readily available from a variety of sources; E-Bay, Craig’s List and the local classified ads.
Tags: Rowing exercise, rowing exercise machines, rowing fitness, rowing fitness machines, rowing machines