Rowers Powered By Water

Using a rowing machine may not look too much like hard work, but you’d be surprised at how effective of a workout they really can offer. If you’re not the type to go weightlifting or jogging, then opting for a rowing machine in your home could be the way to go.

When compared to other workout machinery, like exercise bikes and treadmills, running machines can be relatively inexpensive to buy. On top of this, they are more compact, so can be easily stowed away for those who are stuck for space.

The benefits of rowing are many, as it offers an excellent all-round workout that is capable of rivalling most other forms of cardiovascular exercise. It is actually considered to be one of the most efficient exercises you can partake in and is great for strengthening your core and legs.

Rowing machines also present an excellent option for those recovering from injury as they offer a low-impact exercise that will put minimal strain on your back and joints.

The Benefits of Rowing

Rowing machines (CHECK PRICE HERE!) offer a full-body exercise that can improve your physical fitness and increase your endurance. If you are looking to tone your muscles then rowing machines are a great option that comes with low-impact and minimal joint-strain – which is great for older generations, as it means a reduced likelihood of injury or strain. Rowing is also said to involve a natural motion, which makes it easy to pick up – even for the fitness novices among us.

Rowing, like any cardiovascular exercise, is also great for improving your heart health. With regular use of a rowing machine, you can minimise your risk of contracting heart disease or having a stroke. By starting at a low resistance level and increasing it incrementality as your fitness improves, you can have a huge impact on your overall health.

Despite the sitting position of a rowing machine it can, in fact, be used for weight loss purposes, too. It is very effective for burning calories, with greater weight of the user resulting in greater amounts burnt. With a water rower, it is possible to burn anywhere from three-hundred to seven-hundred-and-fifty calories every thirty minutes, making it a great option for those seeking to smash their weight loss goals. By increasing the resistance, you can control your workout and see the best gains.

As rowing uses your entire body, all of your muscles will get a real workout – from your back and legs to your abdomen, chest and arms. Unlike biking, rowing gives resistance in multiple directions – both forward and backward – making it a great muscle workout for both arms and legs. This can have positive side effects, such as improving posture, reducing back pain and increasing your flexibility in everyday life. It is also likely to increase your overall energy levels and improve your bone strength.

How to Get the Most Out of Your Rowing Workout

There are many different tips and tricks out there when it comes to getting the best out of your workout. For rowing, interval training comes especially recommended. This involves alternating between short bursts of intense exercise at a high resistance level and even shorter periods at a more relaxed pace. This helps to increase your heartrate and metabolism, making for the best weight loss results.

Some people even find the effects of rowing meditative – so why not combine your daily om into your exercise regime? This will help you to work on both your physical and mental health at the same time.

It’s always important to mix up your exercise regimes so that your body doesn’t become too used to one motion, as this will reduce your calorie-burning results. For this reason, it is advisable to switch between rowing and running or weight-lifting each day for a better all-round workout.

Water Rowers vs Air Rowers

There are a number of different types of rowing machine available on the market, which can make choosing one a tricky decision. Two of the main categories are air rowers and water rowers.

Water rowers come fitted with a large tank that can be filled with real water to give added resistance as you increase your pace. The intensity of your workout will also be determined by the fullness of the tank – with higher levels of water making for a more challenging workout.

Water rowers simulate a real-life rowing experience, making them great for those who want the real deal without having to leave the comfort of their home. Although they tend to be on the higher end of the price spectrum than air rowers, water rowers perform like a boat moving through water, which makes them incomparable for those seeking an authentic rowing experience.

Not only this, but the sound of gliding through water produces a serene background noise for your workout – just put on some ambient music and you can imagine your in the great outdoors! Water rowers may not be so easily stowed away, but they are usually very attractive pieces of machinery.

They are capable of providing a tougher workout than a standard air rower, often coming equipped with a switch which can be flipped in order to increase or decrease the water levels.

Air rowers, on the other hand, create resistance through the use of a fan or flywheel. They often have a more mechanical feeling although they still provide a good workout and are commonly used to train rowers during the down season.

What to Look for in a Rower

With such a vast range of rowers on the market, it can be a little daunting when it comes to shopping for one. There’s a seemingly endless array of features to choose from, so here are some of the main points you’ll need to consider before purchasing your machine.

• How much can you afford to spend? Rowing machines come in vastly ranging price brackets, which more often than not correlate with their quality. Bear in mind that it is often worth forking out that little bit more for a decent bit of kit.
• How much space do you have? This will be an important factor for those with limited space at home. Most importantly, you will need to check that the machine will be usable within your space as many of them take up a good few metres. You will also need to consider storage – some machines can be neatly folded in half or propped on their side to stand vertically.
• How often will you be using it? This is an important question as it will determine the durability of the model that you opt for. Whilst everyone obviously wants a machine that will stand the test of time, slightly flimsier models do come much cheaper and will probably be more than up to the job if you only plan on using it once a week rather than daily.
• What do you need to monitor? Whilst some people aren’t too bothered about monitoring things like distance, heartrate and calories, others use this as their motivation. If you’re one of those people, you’ll need to consider going for a model with a clear screen, heartrate belt compatibility and maybe even an app that can more accurately measure your calories burnt.
• How much resistance do you need? With rowing machine, the resistance is the key determining factor of a machine’s quality. Some cheaper models offer very little resistance, rendering them effectively useless, which is why it is important to check reviews on this topic before purchasing. A greater range of resistance levels will give you more scope to grow and develop as your fitness improves.
• Do you want all the bells and whistles? Unlike with other workout machinery, like bikes and running machines, rowers do not commonly come with pre-set workout regimes, so if this is something you want to see, you’ll have to choose carefully.
• What type of rower do you want to go for? As we have already covered, air and water rowers cover two of the main types. Hydraulic and magnetic rowers are two other common types on the market. Whilst air rowers are typically found in gyms across the country, water rowers are increasingly being favoured for home use as they provide a more authentic experience of rowing.

Below, we have reviewed one of the top water rowers on the market so that you can see how it matches up. We believe that this truly is one of the best models out there – you can check out some of its great features below to see for yourself.

 

 

Water Rower Classic Rowing Machine – Review

The Water Rower represents the ultimate in water rowing machines, with a single stroke using an astonishing 84% of your body mass. If you’re looking to burn calories fast whilst working on your muscle tone, then this machine is second to none. Having risen to fame when it was featured on the hit US drama, House of Cards, this rower is immensely popular not only for its functionality but also for its look. It is a beautifully handcrafted piece of machinery that functions perfectly.

• No external power required, meaning you can use it anywhere inside or outside your home.
• Stores upright – perfect for saving space.
• Comes with guide wheels for easy movement and storage.
• Comes with batteries, purification tablet, mini USB connection and home training DVD all included, so no need to buy any extras.
• Comes with performance monitor so you can track your stroke rate, total number of strokes, distance, rowing duration, intensity and more.
• Switch between distance and time modes flawlessly.
• Unique WaterFlywheel with paddles mimics the precise physics of a moving boat, allowing you to row with a natural motion.
• Sealed tank provides self-regulating water resistance meaning no need for artificial adjustment, so you can focus on your exercise – pulling harder will reap greater resistance.
• Fitted with comfortable seat and a dual-rail for a smooth motion.
• Handmade in the USA for guaranteed quality and performance.
• Frame comes in a range of attractive materials, including walnut wood, ash wood, and ash/aluminium.

This water rowing machine genuinely sounds and feels like you are rowing out on a real lake. It offers smooth, natural and even resistance that is automatically regulated so you don’t have to get distracted by amending the levels manually. As it is battery powered, there is no distracting noise coming from a motor, which adds to the peaceful vibe, especially when compared to its fiercest rival, the Concept II.

We also loved the look of this machine – you can tell that it’s high quality and that real attention to detail has gone into making it. Our favourite frame is the ash wood, which provides a light-coloured wood with beautiful grain patterns and a honey oak stain. For those inclined towards darker materials, the walnut wood is a classic choice. For something a little more industrial the ash and aluminium mix frame is an attractive option that might fit in better with the aesthetic of a home gym. The best part is that all of the wood has been sustainably sourced, meaning there’s no negative impact on the environment. It even looks good leaning up against the wall! It really can become part of the furniture.

This machine is uncomplicated to assemble and easy to store as it has wheels for movement and can be stowed in a vertical position. You can purchase additional features such as an attachable laptop stand, which is handy for watching movies whilst you exercise. It has a wide handle and long runners, making it great for taller users.

The main downside is its computer system, which is less sophisticated than some of its rivals, as it is unable to record your times over multiple sessions, but this isn’t a deal-breaker. All-in-all, this is an excellent piece of machinery that is built with precision and care.

Summary

Features: Battery-Powered – Upright Storage – Time and Distance Modes – Self-Regulating Water Resistance – Range of Attractive Frames – Performance Monitor – Unique WaterFlywheel

Pricing: Mid-range