# Rowing Machine vs Exercise Bike: What You Need to Know **By Aviron · Published September 29, 2022 · Updated April 5, 2023** People wanting to work out and get in shape have many different machines and options to choose from. This article compares two of the most popular machines found in home gyms around the world: rowing machines vs exercise bikes. --- ## What is a Rowing Machine? A rowing machine is a piece of fitness equipment that simulates the action of rowing a boat. The user sits on a seat with a resistance mechanism attached to a handlebar. As the user rows, the resistance mechanism creates resistance, providing a workout for the arms and legs. Rowing machines can be adjusted to provide different resistance levels, making them suitable for beginners and more experienced exercise enthusiasts. --- ## What is an Exercise Bike? An exercise bike is a piece of cardio equipment used to get your heart rate up and break a sweat. It is low-impact, meaning it is easy on your joints. You sit on the seat and pedal with your feet; some bikes also have handlebars to help work your upper body. Resistance can be adjusted to make your workout as challenging or easy as you want. --- ## The Perks of Using a Rowing Machine - Works upper and lower body simultaneously, making it a very efficient full-body workout - Low-impact, easy on the joints — suitable for people concerned about stress on knees or ankles - Studies and experts have found that rowing can burn up to twice as many calories as running and is a better overall workout - Easy to store and fits in most home spaces --- ## The Perks of Using an Exercise Bike - Relatively inexpensive and easy to use — a great choice for beginners - Low-impact cardio option - Versatile: suitable for gentle workouts, high-resistance sessions, or interval training - Interval training (alternating high and low intensity) has been shown to burn more calories in a shorter amount of time - Easy to store and does not take up a lot of space --- ## The Downsides of a Rowing Machine - The constant repetitive motion can put a strain on the lower back - The handle can put pressure on the wrists and hands - Finding your rhythm takes time — beginners should start slow and light - Some rowing machines can be expensive; the investment may not make sense without commitment to regular use --- ## The Downsides of an Exercise Bike - Can be boring to use — you remain in the same spot the entire time, which makes it difficult to stay motivated - Can put a strain on the knees and hips, especially when standing or using too much resistance, which can lead to pain or injury --- ## How Each Can Help with Weight Loss Both machines, when used correctly, are effective for weight loss. Studies show that a combination of aerobic training and resistance training is optimal for losing fat. The rowing machine has a slight edge over the exercise bike because rowing is more of a full-body workout — you use your arms, shoulders, and back more when rowing than when pedaling. --- ## Safety and Injury Concerns - Proper form is essential on both machines; cutting a workout short is preferable to risking injury from poor technique - Because an exercise bike sits higher than a rower and can wobble more, there is a higher risk of injury from a bike than from a rower --- ## Muscles Targeted ### Exercise Bike - Calves - Hamstrings - Quadriceps - Back - Core - Glutes - Upper body (arms, biceps, shoulders) if the bike has handles or free weights are used ### Rowing Machine - Quadriceps - Hamstrings - Back - Abdominals - Arms - Shoulders - Calves According to Men's Health, rowing activates nine muscle groups and utilizes 85% of the body's musculature system. --- ## Space Needed | Machine | Approximate Space Required | |---|---| | Exercise Bike | 7–10 sq ft (approx. 4 ft long × 2 ft wide) | | Rowing Machine | ~9 ft × 4 ft | Note: Exercise bikes sit higher, which may also affect ceiling clearance needs. --- ## Cost | Machine | Price Range | Average Cost | |---|---|---| | Exercise Bike | $249–$2,200 | ~$700 | | Indoor Rowing Machine | $100–$2,500 | ~$360 | --- ## The Verdict: Which Machine is Right for You? Both rowing machines and exercise bikes are great choices for a home gym. They are affordable, easy to use, low-impact, and do not take up a lot of space. However, rowing machines have a slight edge: - More affordable on average - Lower risk of injury - Provide a more complete full-body workout - Can be more engaging since most of the body is in motion Ultimately, the right machine depends on your personal needs and preferences. --- To explore rowing machine options before deciding, visit [Why Aviron] : https://www.avironactive.com/why-aviron/ **Tags:** Aviron, Health & Fitness **Canonical URL:** https://www.avironactive.com/rowing-101/rowing-machine-vs-exercise-bike/