What Does A Rowing Machine Do For Your Body?

Do you know what a rowing machine does for your body? Simply put, a rowing machine is a fitness game changer. It is great for toning and building muscles, weight loss, and increasing stamina.

Rowing machines work out numerous major muscle groups and are very helpful when it comes to developing both your lower and upper body. Using a rowing machine provides a thorough aerobic workout by getting your lungs working and your heart pumping. So, what exactly does a rowing machine do for your body?

1. It provides a full-body workout

A rowing machine is great for working out your entire body. You must use both your upper and lower body to complete a rowing stroke. Let’s explore the muscles worked on a rower during each phase of a single rowing stroke.

What Muscles Does a Rowing Machine Work?

• Muscles worked during the ‘Catch’: Hamstrings, Gastrocnemius and Soleus, and Erector Spinae.
• Muscles worked during the ‘Drive’: Rhomboids, Erector Spinae, Hamstrings, Gastrocnemius and Soleus, Quadriceps, Rectus Abdominus, Triceps, Pectoralis Major, Wrist extensors and flexors, deltoids, and trapezius.
• Muscles worked during the ‘Finish’: Wrist Extensors and Flexors, Rectus Abdominus, Quadriceps, Internal and External obliques, Hamstrings, Deltoids, Hamstrings, Biceps, Erector Spinae, and Pectoralis Major.

A rowing machine forces you to give it your all every time and you can’t take any shortcuts. This machine will definitely give you a solid workout that will get your body sweating in a short period of time!

2. It allows you to perform different cardio workouts by simply adjusting the resistance

Most rowers come with variable or adjustable resistance hence allowing you to switch between anaerobic and aerobic workouts. For instance, you can row faster or increase resistance to get an excellent anaerobic exercise. You can also row at a slower pace or lower the resistance to make each stroke easier.

3. Rowing is Non-Weight Bearing and Low Impact

Since rowing workouts are performed when sitting down, the exercises are generally non-weight bearing and low-impact. Therefore, rowing is perfect for everyone including people recovering after surgery and people with weak joints because you don’t have to support the weight of your own body when working out. Remember, high-impact activities are not ideal for people with bad ankles and knees.

Read about rowing and sciatica HERE!

4. It’s an Excellent Cardio Machine!

Aerobic or cardiovascular exercise is basically an activity that elevates your heart rate and requires endurance for a period of time. Just like other aerobic exercises such as jogging, swimming, and cycling, using a rowing machine improves the body’s utilization of oxygen by stimulating and strengthening the lungs and heart.

Learn about the best rowing machine workout apps HERE!

Whether it’s when you pull the rower’s handle to your mid-section using your entire upper body or use your legs to push off, a rowing machine requires the use of all muscle groups. It’s easy to elevate your heart rate because your whole body is working.

Since your entire body has to work, rowing is extremely essential for shedding fat and burning calories. Rowing is also ideal for strengthening your muscles and aerobic exercise because you can exercise nonstop for several minutes. Moreover, you can incorporate high-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts into your routine as well.

Check out the Top Rowing Machines and Gear here!