Rowing Machine Buying Guide

The rower is the ideal machine for combined strength and endurance training. While rowing the arms as well as the legs are getting a workout, without suffering much impact at all. The relation in which arms and legs are work can be varied, so you can choose to either put emphasis on the arms or the legs. In addition the trunk muscles are being strengthened. Because of this combination training on a rower is a very complex affair and should not be taken lightly. Especially beginners might row to fast and therefore find the work out to intense. Attention needs to be paid to choose the right intensity and training dosage. 

Before you can start your training you should consider a few important points and decide which rower is right for you.

• Just as with a treadmill or a crosstrainer a solid frame construction is also important for a rowing machine. Because of the strain of pulling and pushing a high amount of force is applied, this makes a solid frame very important.
• Rowers feature two different types of motion systems. Some rowers work with moving oars attached to arms. This system places a high demand on the coordination and imitates the natural rowing movement almost perfectly.
  The other system which has proven itself is the cable pull system. Here the user’s pulls on a handle attached to the cable pull which sets a flywheel in motion. This set up is very common especially in the leisure market, because it is not as demanding on coordination and body awareness as are rowers with a moving oar system.
• The braking system used in particular decides about the quality of a rowing machine. A round and smooth movement will make it easy to reach the desired goals and makes an extended training session possible. The different braking systems available are listed here:
  o    piston resistance
  o    magnetic resistance / eddy current brake
  o    air resistance
  o    water resistance
• Pay attention to a comfortable seat that offers a firm hold. Only a comfortable and stable seating position does not cause chaffing and allows a pleasurable workout. 
• For the taller user the length of the machine is important. Training on a rower is only effective when the amplitude and extend of movement are optimized. If the machine is to short for the user training will not be effective and might even cause pain.
• The computer console should be within reach while seated on the rower, so it is quick and simple to use. Most computers will display data important for your rowing workout (e. g. time, cadence, total stroke count and heart rate)
• The heart rate should be recorded via a wireless chest belt. The telemetric heart rate control is the most accurate and allows complete freedom of movement

Working out on your new rower will be a new training experience for you and with the right rowing technique the desired results will come.

See our range of Rowing machines