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The Piece of Cardio Equipment You’re Probably Not Using But Totally Should!

Woman On Indoor Rowing Machine

Now, time for a poem:

Row, row, row your workout
Gently to the burn.
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, the fitness gains you will learn!

Yes, it’s silly, but, yes, it’s also true! Rowing rocks and indoor rowing has tons and tons and tons of benefits.

A cardio and strength workout in one, it works your upper-body and your lower-body at the same time. People, this means more workout bang for your workout buck. Or, more workout awesomeness per minute, which gives you more time to do other stuff. Either way, indoor rowing rocks.

Keep reading here for nine reasons you’ll want to hop on the indoor rower, like, right now! Then, tell us: When’s the last time you did some indoor rowing? —Jenn

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Comments

11 Comments
  1. Thanks for the link, very helpful and timely! I’ve been experimenting with the rower as I’ve got some mysterious ass/hamstring injury thing that’s making running problematic.

    I still kinda hate the rower (can’t seem to synch the motion with my tunes) but knowing all these reasons why it’s awesome may help me try to stay on longer than 3 minutes.

  2. Nicole says:

    Do you have any tips for how to use the machine? I always eyeball it at the gym but am intimidated that I have absolutely no idea how to even get started.

    1. Jenn says:

      Nicole,

      Here’s a great video from FitSugar on how to use it properly! 🙂 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bc2bVqkkcDE

      Good question!
      —FBG Jenn

  3. Anastasia says:

    Thanks for sharing the link. I have been waffling about a rowing machine for my home gym, but I think this sealed the deal. It is just the workout I need to supplement my running.

  4. Lisa says:

    My husband has a rower. I wish I could use it, but it hurts my rear end so much! It’s slightly better if I warm up elsewhere and wear bike shorts. But still intolerable rear end pain after 10 minutes.
    Do you have any suggestions? Is my hiney just too boney to use a rower?
    Thanks!

  5. April says:

    I really like rowing work outs at the gym. I was lucky enough to learn next to a gym buddy who rowed in college. She told me to think legs, back, arms when you pull and then arms, back , legs when coming back. When I get tired and my form starts to fail, I always go back to that. Also long and strong pulls are just as effective as short quick ones, but don’t burn you out as fast. Happy rowing!

  6. Marie says:

    As a collegiate rower of 4 years, I actually have to disagree; the indoor erg really only challenges your major leg muscles and stretches out your hamstrings. It doesn’t benefit any other part of your body if you’re doing the maneuvers correctly. Your arms need to be relaxed and not tense for the proper extension, meaning literally no muscle gain will occur in your arms. Your midsection is working via the strength and straightness of your spine, so your abdominal muscles will never build, either. It isn’t even that great for cardio; the machine was made for training during winter months, so rowers don’t forget how to balance the boat or match the rhythm set by their coxswain.

  7. Dawn says:

    I’ve been trying to use the rowing machine more lately. I feel like it helps loosen up my legs after any intense lunge/squatting sessions or a long jaunt on the stairclimber.

  8. I love using the rowing function on my Boflex!

  9. Rachel says:

    i was recently introduced to the rower at crossfit classes. I’m super in love with it and love all those tips! When I’m rowing today I will probably ponder it. As an anti-runner I’m all about the rower.

  10. Melissa says:

    Go out and join Crew. It’s a lot more fun!

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