Choosing a Rowing Machine
Rowing is a healthy way of working out – increasing upper body mass and muscle tone while keeping you in shape. Actual rowing of course is hard to practice, due to the lack of rowing boat facilities. There is an alternative however in manufactured rowing exercise machines, also called rowers. These rowing machines need a little more room than similar exercise machines like treadmills or elliptical trainers, however they are well worth the cost. You will see immediate results in your upper body and you will feel healthier with each passing day of exercising on the rower.
When choosing a rowing machine, you will be confronted with a number of problems. Compared to treadmills and elliptical trainers, rowing machines are not as diverse and sports equipment manufacturers are not as concentrated on producing rowers, compared to other exercise machines. Another problem might be that rowing machines are usually designed for professional or semi-professional athletes and their prices might sometimes be more than you are willing to pay for (of course, there are cheaper versions, which do not have the top functionality a professional rower has to offer).
It is extremely important that you feel comfortable inside your rowing machine. If your back, feet and hands position is awkward, then you will take a risk by exercising on the rower. Because it stimulates your upper body so much, the rower could cause back injuries or strained arm muscles. Also be careful about the position of the rowing paddles, since it is very important that your biomechanical motion is natural while using them.
Check out the warranty on your rower, as it will most likely reflect how long the machine’s lifespan is. A short warranty should be looked at with suspicion, as no self-respecting rower manufacturer would offer a product with less then a one-year warranty for it.
Choosing a rowing machine is definitely not an easy job, but if you have the right room in your household, if you have the time to use it and if you thoroughly test it before buying it, you could end up with an excellent exercise machine for your upper body. Combine your rowing workout with other exercises (or other exercise machines like treadmills or ellipticals) for best results.
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