Rowing has become incredibly popular over the past few years, especially among CrossFit athletes and cardio fanatics. Its popularity can undoubtedly be attributed to the fact that it’s a total body workout, which can improve your cardiovascular endurance and melt fat.
There’s a common misconception that using a rowing machine only targets your upper body. In reality, a rowing machine also engages your lower body, particularly your hamstrings and glutes, when used correctly.
In addition to your upper and lower body, an industry-leading rowing machine can target your core and improve your posture. Like most machines found at the gym, the proper technique and form are essential for your overall results.
Weight training and weightlifting can also work many wonders for your physique. However, this strenuous activity is better suited for people without joint issues or previous sports-related injuries. Lifting weights for an extended time can strengthen your muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Additionally, weightlifting can increase your bone density and improve lean muscle mass, making it easier for you to lose or maintain weight.
If you’re stuck on which activity to add to your exercise routine, we’ve researched the prices, pros and cons, and impacts of both.
If you’ve decided to finally drop those excess pounds, you must choose the most effective and efficient form of exercise. Both rowing and weightlifting can be helpful for weight loss, but the right fit for you depends on your body and goals.
Simply put, when it comes to losing weight, using a rowing machine will be more effective than weightlifting. Aerobic exercise burns 300 to 600 calories per hour, whereas weightlifting burns less. Rowing for an hour is doable and will feel fun, unlike lifting heavy weights.
When combined with a healthy eating plan, using a rowing machine three to five times per week is a surefire way to shed extra pounds while gaining lean muscle mass.
Lifting weights three to five times per week is unattainable and will be extremely hard on your joints. Unlike rowing, weightlifting is anaerobic, which involves short bursts of intense movement.
While aerobic and anaerobic exercise is essential to losing weight, aerobic exercise triggers fat burning since you are left with oxygen in your muscle’s tissues. So if shedding unwanted weight is your primary goal, nothing beats a rowing machine.
A rowing machine can improve endurance and strengthen muscles, whereas lifting weights is primarily used to build muscles in a short period. Lifting weights is considered better for growing specific muscles, but rowing is better for an all-over, full-body workout.
When someone is using a rowing machine, they can target all of their muscle groups. But when lifting weights, they can only select one or two muscle groups to work each day, as a full-body workout is never a great idea. Weightlifters often work their arms, butt, back and shoulders, legs, and core, all on different days, to prevent injury.
So if you’re seeking defined, functional, and toned muscles, a rowing machine can more effectively target your entire body at once, not just one group.
The price of a rowing machine versus an entire set of weights and weight bench for your home is similar. But when you’re using weightlifting to strengthen your muscles, it’s also important to incorporate cardiovascular activity for your health. Ideally, you’ll need a cardio machine to complement your weights.
On the other hand, a rowing machine can provide strength training and cardiovascular exercise. Because of this, you’ll have to invest in less equipment.
Many high-quality rowing machines also come with programs that can guide users through full-body workouts on and off the machine. For example, Aviron’s rowing machines come equipped with strength training Guided Programs with workouts that include bicep curls and back rows. The machine’s resistance can also go up to 100 lbs, which means you can target 100 percent of your muscles. This is the highest resistance readily available in the current market.
Overall, purchasing a rowing machine instead of weightlifting equipment will give you more bang for your buck.
Rowing is a lower-impact, less jarring way to build and strengthen muscles. Because of this, rowing is perfectly suitable for people with existing back problems or those who are prone to injury. Oppositely, weightlifting is a high-impact, more intense form of working your muscles.
There is also a higher risk of injury when weightlifting—using too heavy of weights or improper form can be extremely dangerous.
Rowing is a phenomenal full-body exercise. It is excellent for improving endurance, strengthening your core, and building muscle in your upper and lower body. Rowing targets several muscle groups simultaneously while keeping the muscle lean and not bulky. It is an efficient way to burn calories without putting your joints at risk or taking up a lot of space like weight sets.
When thinking about the cons of rowing machines, the only one that comes to mind is that it can take a toll on your lower back if it’s not done correctly. Using the proper form is very important to avoid injury and reap all of the benefits.
Weightlifting can work wonders for your muscle mass, bone health, and strength, but it shouldn’t be the only workout you do. When trying to build muscle, you must also include cardiovascular activity, which weightlifting does not offer. Weightlifting doesn’t do much for your endurance or conditioning, and it can leave you feeling sore, exhausted, and stiff after a session.
Lifting weights can also be risky, as some people go for weights that are too heavy. This can cause severe muscle and joint damage or even painful, permanent spinal injuries.
In short, if you haven’t tried an innovative rowing machine already, it’s time that you give it a go.
While it can seem a little intimidating, rowing is safe for beginners and can provide a low-impact, heart-pumping workout that you won’t find anywhere else. Plus, you can increase the intensity as you improve, meaning that you’ll always be challenging yourself without putting unnecessary stress on your joints.
