Rowing Machines
- Home rowing machines: holistic fitness training with fun
- Looking for a rowing machine? Here’s what you should know
- Extra features in a rowing machine
- Training with a rowing machine: the main benefits
Home rowing machines: holistic fitness training with fun
When trying to lose weight, it is important to balance a healthy diet and good fitness training; the latter is essential to allow the body to burn fat and tone up. Each fitness exercise and each piece of equipment respond to specific needs, working on a specific muscle. Depending on your needs, certain exercises are more suitable: cardio training to activate circulation, strength training to increase muscle mass, free body workout to slim and tone.
One of the best tools to use in the gym is the rowing machine, whose use involves many muscles. The benefits of rowing are different, in terms of cardiovascular and pulmonary function. Rowers effectively help to lose weight, tone and help improve back pain and joint pain. On HI-FI Tower you can find a wide selection of rowing machines, an essential tool to use at home for fitness. Available in a variety of sizes, with magnetic or water resistance mechanisms, our rowing machines are designed to take up minimal space when not in use, and built with durable materials. Read on to find out what the main aspects to consider when choosing your rowing machine, and don't miss our offers.
Looking for a rowing machine? Here’s what you should know
Rowing machines are excellent for different types of training for both beginners and experts. Suitable for stimulating all the muscles of the body, they offer solidity and the right features for a complete training programme. Whether you want to lose weight or keep fit with the comfort of being at home without having to waste time going to the gym and feeling comfortable, rowing machines are the right choice. The most common rowing machines are foldable, do not take up much space and are easy to assemble.
Before purchasing, it’s important to take some time to consider the main features and choose the right model, based on your needs. A rowing machine can stimulate up to 80% of the muscles of your whole body; it is a piece of comprehensive fitness equipment because it works: thighs, buttocks, abdominals, chest, arms, shoulders and back effectively.
To begin, you will have to consider aspects such as the type of resistance mechanism and how easy you can regulate it, the structure, the size of the rowing machine, its range of use and the presence of the screen to manage it easily. Finally, comfort and materials are also two elements that have their weight in the choice. So let's go into each of these aspects in more detail.
Resistance mechanism in a rowing machine
When you decide to buy a rowing machine, this is the core aspect to consider, as it can heavily influence aspects such as the quality of the simulation of the oar in the water, the quietness of the device, its size and therefore space you will have to devote to accommodate this tool in any case bulky. From this point of view, there are four different solutions.- Hydraulic resistance
Hydraulic resistance mechanisms simulate the resistance of water to the oar thanks to the presence of two pistons, each one containing oil or air; this is the most common type, which you can find in small gyms. It is the most economical model on the market, so it is perfect for a home gym without too many pretensions, also because it is often even foldable. On the other hand, water resistance mechanisms simulate rowing less effectively, as the arms are fixed and do not allow lateral or circular movements typical of rowing. For this reason, it may not be the ideal choice for an experienced rower, but it’s the perfect choice for beginners. - Air resistance
Rowing machines with air resistance are decidedly more classic than its predecessor. In this case, the rowing machine rather resembles a common weight room bench, with the addition of a paddle wheel which is activated by the rowing machine, using the air resistance to simulate that of water on the oars. Although not aesthetically similar to a boat, air resistance rowing machines allow for a much more realistic experience. Unfortunately, this rowing machine is very noisy and very bulky, although it is more than affordable. - Magnetic resistance
The logic of the operation, in this case, is the same as the air resistance, but a series of electric magnets create the resistance. This means that the device proves to be particularly silent, but to the detriment of realism; in this case, the resistance is not progressive but uniform, so it fails to provide an authentic rowing feeling. - Water resistance
The best rowing machines are equipped with water resistance, for absolute fidelity to real rowing boats; this proves true not only in terms of aesthetics and design but also because of the quality of the rowing simulation, which is reproduced very faithfully by a mast system that connects the two oars to a series of paddles that find the resistance of the water contained in the tool tank. This is, therefore, the priority choice for a professional rower, but often the price makes this type of equipment prohibitive. Finally, consider that the shovels and the water make this equipment quite noisy.
Setting the right resistance level in the rowing machine
Like any home fitness equipment, the rowing machine should always give you the possibility to adjust the level of resistance, to personalize the effort you make during your workout. From this point of view, if you buy a magnetic or hydraulic resistance rowing machine, you will always have the certainty of the presence of a knob to adjust the different resistance levels, in the first one the resistance will be electric. In contrast, in the second one, it will be mechanical.
Low-cost piston rowing machines don’t offer an accurate level of adjustment as the more advanced and expensive models; however, it is often possible to find independent adjustment knobs for each of the two oars. Air rowing machines can also present this possibility, which is quite unusual for water rowing machines. Finally, you should notice that these levels can vary from 5 to 20.
Structure of a rowing machine
Structure, capacity and materials are other crucial factors to consider before purchasing your rowing machine. As far as the structure is concerned, generally hydraulic and piston rowing machines are the most comfortable to store, as they are flat and not very heavy, and can be safely placed under the bed when not in use. Magnetic and air-operated ones, on the other hand, are bulkier and taller but can be folded and stored vertically. You can move upright rowers easily using their wheels. Water rowing machines ones, on the other hand, are the bulkiest, because they cannot be folded; in this case, you can still place them on the wall in a vertical position.
When talking about structure and size, the load-bearing capacity is also essential. This value establishes the weight of who can use it, and consequently also the weight of the tool itself. In this sense, generally, a rowing machine can weigh from 110 kilos up to 130 kilos and can support a weight ranging from 90 kilos to 140 kilos.
Finally, the ease of use depends also on the capacity, if you are taller than 180 cm, make sure you buy a rowing machine that allows you to use it without being uncomfortable. Unfortunately, from this point of view, piston rowing machines often prove to be unusable for taller and more corpulent people.
Finally, as far as materials are concerned, heavier and more resistant rowing machines generally consist of a central body made of steel, or aluminium or other metal alloys for the lighter models. Water rowing machined, on the other hand, are always made of wood.Extra features in a rowing machine
Modern rowing machines are equipped with digital screens, just like an exercise bike or treadmill; this interface allows you to monitor a series of body values and set personalized programmes according to the type of training, more or less intense, you wish to do. The screen can provide real-time data such as time spent on the equipment, calories burned, kilometres travelled, number of rowing, pulse rate and so on. Also, as already mentioned, rowing machines with a screen usually provide you with various preset programs to train, for example, explosiveness, endurance or speed.
Make sure that the arms or the single handle of the rowing machine are equipped with a non-slip rubber cover, due to sweat, and that the seat is ergonomic and possibly with the typical seat shape. The footrest must also be of high quality and ensure a firm and stable grip, to avoid uncontrolled movements of the ankles.
Training with a rowing machine: the main benefits
First, the rowing machine is an excellent tool for losing weight. By using this tool constantly and correctly, we will be able to eliminate fats and excess liquids in no time. During exertion, your heart rate increases, which means that your body needs more energy and therefore burns more. One hour of rowing training burns an average of 470 calories (average for an individual weighing 70 kilos).
You’ll also improve the cardiovascular system, stimulating blood circulation and intensifying cardiac activity with movements made with the right rowing machine. It tones the body, especially the legs, back and arms, increasing your physical endurance and lung capacity. Joints are also highly stimulated, and unlike running, rowing machines do not strain your knees and ankles, so you can easily avoid any significant problems, especially if you are overweight.
If you are looking for a way to relieve stress, there is also no better tool than a rowing machine, which helps to ease the stress that accumulates mainly due to poor posture, which you keep all day at work. Finally, the body benefits greatly from this type of training, as it allows you to become more aware of the situation and your body and improve coordination.