Safety
With every workout, there's risk. Falling, injuries, pains and strains are a part of training life. How safe is the exercise machine? How big is the risk of something going wrong?
A rowing machine workout is performed sitting, which makes falling off very unlikely.
Minimal Space and Power Needs
When you but an exercise machine for your home, you need to put it somewhere and sometimes plug it in as well. Every type of exercise machine has different needs in terms of space and electricity usage.
A rowing machine is considered a very good option for those who want to workout, but only have a limited space.
The rowers usually occupy a very small space, and many models are foldable - to be stored away under the bed when not in use.
Most rowing machines do not need to be plugged in at all, as all resistance is magnetic. Some machines have a workout monitor that usually runs on batteries (some will use a small amount of power instead of batteries or just in order to recharge them).
Workout Effectiveness
What type of exercise do you get from this exercise machine? What can you expect in terms of the exercises effectiveness?
An exercise on a rowing machine involves muscle groups in the arms, back and legs.
The rowing exercise uses both the upper and lower body for aerobic cardiovascular work with no impact on the joints.
Using a rowing machine correctly and regularly, and with adequate exercise level, you can expect it to work your back muscles but also stretch them, helping ease pain and discomfort. Note however, that using it incorrectly may lead to back discomfort and possible injury, so you need to seek advice regarding the correct way to perform the rowing machine exercise.
Rowing machines are considered to have an excellent workout value, as the exercise they provide works on large muscle groups and does not let you slack (use momentum) while working them.
Good results are achieved quite quickly in terms of increased fitness levels, weight loss and fat burning. Results will initially show toned thighs, buttocks and firmer arms.
Note that rowing machines do not provide a good level of exercise variety - you can only change the resistance you work against, but not, for example, the chair sliding length, or the angle of the string you pull.
Price
How much will it cost you to get a good fitness machine?
Rowing machines come very cheap. Sometimes at about a tenth of the price of other exercise equipment.
Fat Burning Efficiency
While every exercise burns fat, some forms of exercises allow more fat burning to occur. This usually has to do with length, intensity and the total number of muscles participating. Research shows that when more large muscle groups are exercised - more fat burning happens even after you finish the workout on the exercise machine.
Using the rowing machine for about 45 minutes to 1 hour, at a good pace with good resistance level burns anywhere between 350-600 calories.
The rowing machine is very effective at burning fat as it uses the larger muscles of both upper and lower body. Additionally, a rowing machine does not let you easily gain bodyweight momentum, so the workout is very effective.
Maintenance Considerations
Every fitness machine needs maintenance. The more moving parts your machine has - the more time and money you'll need to spend over the years on maintaining it.
Rowing machines have no motor, and are not composed of many small moving parts. This makes for easier regular maintenance.
On the other hand, most rowing machines have a cable which may break, and a seat that moves back and forth. These two parts require maintenance and checks to be performed on a regular basis.
Another moving part of the rower is the wheel, which usually works on magnetic resistance. The wheel compartment requires infrequent oiling, but other than that maintenance is quite a breeze.
Risk Free
What are the specific health benefits or risks involved with using the exercise machine? How can this machine contribute to your health specifically? This category is mainly around impact. Impact is the price the exercise machine takes from your joints. Running is high-impact, as your feet land on the hard ground many times. Swimming is non-impact. The more impact the machine has, the more risk you face of pain and damage to your bones, joints and other parts of your body.
While providing excellent workout, a rowing machine requires proper technique to prevent injuries.
The technique is important in order to avoid back strain. The rowing machine works on your back muscles and at the same time stretches them. This has the benefit of helping ease pain and discomfort.
When applying good technique, there is a very low injury risk as there is less pressure to knees and ankles. This allows you to exercise for longer durations, which lets you raise fitness levels and burn fat more quickly.
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Related comparisons
Feel factor: 6
Love this machine!
(score 5/5)
Just received my Stamina 1050 rower. Nice, sturdy product for the price, and assembly was a snap. I am a 5'4 female, and the fit is fine for me. The key to keeping your feet on the pads is to wear comfy running/walking shoes with a good thick base. Strap the velcro snugly and you're set for a good workout with virtually no slips. I couldn't believe how quickly I got to target heart rate, especially after choosing a more resistant setting. I recommend this product highly for a quality, low-impact, full-body workout in half the time of other routines. Thanks, Stamina!
Posted on: 2010-08-30
By Dmac
It does the job it's supposed to.
(score 4/5)
I bought the Stamina Body Trac to help in my recovery from back surgery. It arrived a day earlier then promised (that was nice), it was very easy to setup (think Christmas with an 8 y/o's toys!). I have been using it 4 days a week since it arrived. I think it's a good workout and well worth the time and money. I'm one of those people that hates the gym and this is a fantastic alternative.
Posted on: 2010-08-18
By Rich
Helpful index: 100%
Good for the money
(score 4/5)
I was afraid about reliability after reading some reviews, but did not have $900 for a concept2. I figure, even if I pay $30 for a new piston every 6 months, I am still ahead. You get what you paid for, at $150 you get a decent machine, the frame looks sturdy, the monitor is just a timer, do not expect much from it. The seat squeaks and I can see why people complain about the foot rest, but with a little bit of creativity it can be solved. It is not a machine for people less than 5'6" or 5'7". I have been using it and I am happy with what I got, my heart rate gets to the level I want and I work my upper body, my main goal. Some people expect a Cadillac for $150, if you can live with some squeaking and can not afford more expensive machines, this is the one for you, I would recommend it.
Posted on: 2010-08-16
By Leon M.
Helpful index: 100%
Stamina Body Trac Glider 1050 rowing machine
(score 5/5)
This is a good device, quiet, does the job. For the money, its a good deal, I have a stationary bike,
and ride off road on a 29er single speed, a lot of out of the saddle, the stationary bike only does legs,
hips down. On that you spin, heart rate is easy to get up. Using both, you can do it all. I find the
stationary bike boring and painful. This I find I can get in a zone and do it longer.
This does the whole body, small of back, critical to me, and lower ab's, to strengthen back problems, it
does get the arms, legs, knees, its as if it just gets the standing out of the saddle part of a bike, and
that feeling of a pushup on a road type bar, and holding it when pedaling, it does not get the legs like
a good spin, but it gets everything else except tension against balance on a rough trail. I am talking about
how the body feels, not the motion. Balance is a big thing, anything stationary is not as good, but this is
good enough. It does get the lower ab's better than a bike.
I got it to get something of what off road does for me when weather is bad, it does that well. You have to
do it longer, at a higher tension for a good workout, but cardio is different, you want that, you have to
drop the tension setting and pull faster. I am more interested in a long, slow, against the current feel of the
rowing, (I have done rowing on rivers), solo canoe, where the heart rate maxes out about the time you are starting
to feel the burn, then a short sprint, and a cool down. So I set the tension to 8, it seems about right compared to
what I feel on a single speed. I cannot put in the same times yet, but I can see, it being very good to do on off days
to help the cyclings.
It surprised me. Its a pretty good machine for its cost. Its portable.
Posted on: 2010-07-31
By Ink Stain
Helpful index: 100%
Practical
(score 5/5)
Easy to use and store, takes up very little space, am very pleased with this product.
Posted on: 2010-07-27
By JOHN JAQUES
Helpful index: 0%