Anybody use a rower for cardio workout?

[pmata814]

How effective do you think it is for cardio compared to a stationary bike? Is it hard on your back? I'm trying to stay away from jogging because of my shins. It's either jogging or tennis, and I prefer tennis.

[Marius_Hancu]

I think it's quite effective. However:

- don't bend your knees under 90 degrees
- don't bend your back more than 15 degrees back and forth from the vertical

to protect those areas.

Also, your calves and your hamstrings aren't exercised too well, you might have to do some running or stationary cross country skiing for that.

[Marius_Hancu]

check this out too:

Rowing machines
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=77675

[goober]

rowing is a good cardio workout. Like any machine you can be on it for an hour and barely break a sweat or you could be dead tired depending how much effort your put into it. Overall I would say it is a better workout opn average than being on a bike since you are working your upper body as well.

I have never had any strain on my back from it. Some people have complained about knee pain but I have never noticed. I usualy rotate between different cardio machines- treadmill, bike, elliptical and rower so I don't get into a rut and only work out certain muscles but not others.

[simi]

I got one of those Concept II rower/erg machines, and just love it. It is the same machine as in most of the gyms these days. Have never had any back issues nor knee issues, however, my wife complains about it being hard on her back. Not sure why? Never watched her to see if her form is correct. You don't want to lean forward too much on the return stroke nor lean back on the pull stroke. Pretty much keep your upper body stationary, as much as possible. Use your legs and arms, not your back.

I usually row about six minutes at an easy pace just to warm up a bit. Then I go for 5000 meters, which takes plus or minus 24 minutes. Sometimes, I alternate with a Lifecycle (upright stationary) bicycle, but prefer the erg.

Rowing is good exercise. Helps build up your shoulders, upper back, and forearms, among other parts of your body. You work pretty much everything. My dream is to someday get a scull and to be able to row on the open water.

[Midlife crisis]

How effective do you think it is for cardio compared to a stationary bike? Is it hard on your back? I'm trying to stay away from jogging because of my shins. It's either jogging or tennis, and I prefer tennis.

If you are talking purely cardiovascularly and you are untrained in rowing, you're going to be able to generate more adaptive stress on a stationary bike than on a rowing machine because of two reasons:

1. Your body has adapted to continuously using your lower body and core stabilizing muscles over millions of years of evolution, whereas your upper body has been evolved for more sporadic use.

2. You have an ability to use a larger amount of more fatigue resistant muscle mass when riding a bicycle than using a rower, even though you are in actuality using a greater number of muscles when rowing. However, for the major muscle groups, you will potentially be using them less strenuously than you would during stationary cycling, and your arms and back will be the primary determinant of how long you can continue rowing.

Both factors indicate that initially at least, you'd be better of from a cardiovascular standpoint from rowing. However, if you are determined to continue rowing and willing to work at it hard for several months, rowing will eventually provide a larger cardiovascular load.

[Marius_Hancu]

I got one of those Concept II rower/erg machines, and just love it. It is the same machine as in most of the gyms these days. Have never had any back issues nor knee issues, however, my wife complains about it being hard on her back. Not sure why? Never watched her to see if her form is correct.

you should.

the back shouldn't move too much, back and forth, see my post above

many people are mistakenly pulling with their backs instead of using mainly the arms and legs

[simi]

I got one of those Concept II rower/erg machines, and just love it. It is the same machine as in most of the gyms these days. Have never had any back issues nor knee issues, however, my wife complains about it being hard on her back. Not sure why?

you should.

the back shouldn't move too much, back and forth, see my post above

many people are mistakenly pulling with their backs instead of using mainly the arms and legs

Nah. She doesn't use the thing, ever. Only tried it once or twice since we got it. She likes our treadmill and a recumbent bike. I can't stand the treadmill. Hurts my shins. Don't like the recumbent either. Seems like I can't use my whole body like you can on an upright cycle. Thanks for your concern, however.