How to Use a Rowing Machine
The secret to a good rowing machine workout is to get your legs involved. Secure your feet with the straps. Start your motion by pushing back with your legs, then pull back on the handles. With double handles, just follow the track. With a single handle, bring it toward your lower chest. Slide forward to the beginning position and repeat. Rowing machines are easy to use with just a little practice.
Row for a Full Body Workout
The major rowing machine benefit is aerobic, but you get a full body workout as well. Rowing machines robably use more muscles than any other aerobic machine. You get power from your legs and hips, but coordinate your upper body to complete the stroke. Concentrate on using your upper back muscles for the best results. Don't be surprised if you feel fatigue in your forearms at first.
Compete With Your Friends
Some people row for competition withoug going near the water. You just compete with your friends on your rowing machines to see who can go a given distance fastest. The rowing machine lends itself to this kind of enjoyment more than most aerobic machines. You seldom see exercisers on rowing machines looking bored or trying to read a magazine while they work out. They watch the display to keep the stroke rate where they want it, enjoy the rowing, and work up a good sweat.
The Erg
An ergometer is just a device for measuring the work performed by an exerciser. Rowing machines have these, but so do most other exercise machines. Certain kinds of exercise bikes are called bicycle ergometers and often used in research. Rowing machines are often called ergometers or erg machines. When someone talks about worki out on the erg, they usually mean a rowing machine.
Sport or Exercise?
You may think of rowing as more of a sport than an exercise. It's actually both. Rowing machines are relatively low cost pieces of aerobic equipment that can give you a great dry land workout and condition your muscles for on-the-water rowing, if you want to do that. Rowing machines take up some space when in use, but many can be folded for storage, making them good for home workouts.