A Quick and Easy Guide to Indoor Rowing Machines
By John Phung
Editor's Summary: You can learn how indoor rowing machines
offer a great method of achieving aerobic fitness. Various types
of rowing machines are discussed, such as hydraulic, magnetic resistance,
flywheel, and water rowers.
Did you know that rowing is one of the best exercises for developing
aerobic fitness? Not only does working out with rowing machines
or rowing ergometers allow people to develop their cardiovascular
system, but they also place considerable demands on your muscular
system as well!
Unlike cardio machines such as treadmills, exercise bikes and stair
climbing equipment, a rowing machine exercises your upper body as
well as your lower body. The rowing stroke when using an indoor
rower is composed of 65-75% leg work and 25-35% upper body work.
Other benefits of indoor rowing are getting a full body aerobic
workout with one machine, and the lack of impact that is experienced
when compared to other aerobic activities. When you’re jogging outdoors
or using a treadmill machine, there is orthopedic trauma placed
on your body every time you take a step. This is not the case with
indoor rowers.
When you’re looking for the best rowing machines for you, there
are many options available. There are four distinct types of indoor
rowers: piston or cylinder based rowing machines, flywheel rowers,
magnetic resistance indoor rowers, and Water Rowers.
Hydraulic Rowing Machine
The hydraulic rowing machine may be the best way to go if space
is a concern, or if you’re on a tight budget and you want an economical
indoor rower. Hydraulic rowing machines receive its tension from
the amount of air or fluid that’s compressed with a cylinder or
piston, and can be adjusted by most models of indoor rowers.
Although hydraulic based indoor rowers are low-cost, they differ
from air, magnetic and water rowers because the rowing machine technique
doesn’t allow you to pull in a straight line. The majority of hydraulic
piston based rowers require you be placed in an exercise position
that does not allow you to perform a natural rowing motion. Because
of this, you are unable to naturally synchronize your arm and leg
movements together.
Flywheel Rowing Machines
The air or flywheel rowing machine for exercise offers a similar
feel to outdoor rowing. Flywheel exercise rowing machine receives
its resistance from the pulling motion, which spins a flywheel with
fan blades attached. The resistance is provided by the wind. To
increase the resistance of a flywheel rowing machine, all you have
to do is pull harder. This moves the flywheel faster, and a greater
wind resistance is provided from the fan blades of this type of
indoor rower.
Compared to piston/cylinder or hydraulic based rowing machines,
air rowing machines provide a more natural, continuous, and smoother
rowing stroke.
The Concept 2 (or Concept II) rower is among the most popular flywheel
air rowing machines. This machine is used by fitness enthusiasts,
health clubs, corporate fitness centers, and rehabilitation clinics
as well. Along with health, fitness and rehabilitation purposes,
the Concept2 is the rowing machine of choice for indoor rowing competitions
around the globe, such s the Crash-B Sprints World Indoor Rowing
Championships and the European Indoor Rowing Championships.
Magnetic Resistance Indoor Rowers
A magnetic resistance fitness rowing machine is known for being
virtually silent and providing a smooth rowing stroke. Unlike flywheel
based indoor rowers which receives its resistance from the wind,
magnetic rowing machines utilizes a magnetic brake system.
One of the main aspects you’ll notice with magnetic rowing machines
is that is doesn’t product much sound at all. Rowing machines based
on magnetic resistance produces no friction (like the flywheel or
Water Rowers), thus providing a silent workout.
Fitness rowing machines based on magnetic resistance are available
utilizing only magnet resistance or a combination of magnetic and
air resistance.
The WaterRower
The WaterRower is an ideal rowing machine for those who participate
in outdoor rowing. The Water Rower's unique patented Water Flywheel
has been designed to emulate the dynamics of a boat moving through
water. Just like rowing outdoors, the WaterRowers’ flywheel receives
its resistance by overcome the effects of drag as water moves past
the tank. This indoor rower is also virtually silent when in use.
All you hear is the swishing of the water while using this rowing
machine.
The WaterRower is constructed with a wooden frame. This makes this
rowing machine one of the most attractive models available, and
the mechanical vibrations (common to other indoor rowers) are dampened.
There is also a commercial version of the Water Rower sporting a
metal frame.
Another model of water based rowing machine is the First Degree
Fitness Fluid Rowing Machine.
Summary
In sum, whatever type of rowing machine you choose, rowers are
an excellent choice for developing aerobic fitness and building
a healthy heart.
About the Author
John Phung is a certified personal trainer and successful writer
for http://www.all-rowing-machines.com,
providing information about Concept
II D rowing machines, Water
Rowers, and more.
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