Are you one of the many that walk past the rower at the gym?
If you said yes – you aren’t alone! Many people skip the rower when they are at the gym because they don’t know the benefits of the machine.
However, there is a reason many gyms such as Orangetheory Fitness incorporate the rower into their workouts.
We encourage you to try out the rower next time you are in the gym! Who knows, it could be your new favourite machine for those hefty cardio days at the gym.
If you are a first-timer, don’t fret – we will give you some tips on navigating this new machine.
How the Rower Benefits You
Rowers are known for helping people shred fat while building up muscle while also being classed as the most effective and efficient cardio machine.
Are you injury-prone? Indoor rowers are known to be low-impact and won’t put constant stress on your joints and the connective tissues.
Finally, if you are worried that the rower will affect your 1-mile benchmark time or reduce your muscle strength training, we want to reassure you that you have nothing to worry about. Rowing builds full-body structural strength, which can be directly carried over to all other athletic movements.
First Time Rower? We’ve got you covered!
Indoor rowing is a great way to get back into the swing of fitness!
This is because indoor rowing is a full-body movement that uses over 86% of our muscles, engaging all major muscle groups.
However, before you begin, there are a few things to keep in mind…
We want to remind you that form is key. When you first try out the rower, you can be eager to pull the bar as hard as possible to generate power. However, the power should come from your legs instead of your arms. This will help keep the stress off your back.
You want to ensure your movements and breathing stay consistent while rowing. Ensure you are exhaling on your way back and inhaling on the way in.
Finally, don’t feel the need to hop on the rower and be the best or fastest. Instead, understand the technique and strokes before adding in speed.
In the past indoor rowers have been neglected, but we hope now you will give them a go and see how they can benefit you both on the inside and outside!
