So I've decided to finally do something for my health and physical condition and buy a rowing machine. I did a research on the internet and went through countless websites with opinions, reviews and tests. When I had almost decided to buy the Stamina Air Rower, I made the mistake to seek advice of a buddy from work, who is a working out freak. He basically said there are only 2 options that make sense - Concept2 (Model D or E) and a waterrower. Both seem great, but cost much more than I would like to spend. I know many of you are working out a lot too and thought you might have some experience with this kind of devices and maybe would be willing to give me an advice. Is my buddy right, or can I go for a cheaper rower and still end up with a good exercise machine? Can you recommend another concrete model? I feel almost guilty for asking you guys for help again, buth thie fact that I do this just shows you how high I value your opinions .
Concept realy is the best . For a home use though, i would go for something cheaper. Stamina is a nice piece of equipment, more than enough for an "amateur". Make sure you'll be using it I had a whole gym at my house, now it collects dust more often than not. Bike, treadmil, eliptical... too much time involved, now i go with a session of tabata and call it a day.
Have you used a rowing machine and find that you like it? If not, I would definitely recommend giving one or two a whirl at a fitness gym. I would enjoy doing once in awhile, but if it was the only form of exercise I was doing, it might grow old quickly. On brand and model unfortunately I have no expert opinion.
Thank you guys. @Kenzo - expect a PM from me @Sirron - no I have never used one, it's just that many people have recommended it to me and I'm in extremely bad shape which means I need a relatively simple device. But I will definitely follow your advice and check out one at a local gym.
I have found some to be much more comfortable than others. Not sure about in Poland, but around here there is are sites and newspapers where people sell barely used equipment for a fraction of the cost new. Might be a good way to enter the market without a huge commitment financially. Rowing machines are large and awkward though, so you'll need some dude friends if you want to avoid disassembly/reassembly. I found a place with auctions on equipment and ended up with a treadmill, elliptical, and recumbent bike for a song. I was most pleased! And I still only occasionally used it lol.
My wife used to row in college and she's still pretty up to date on ergometers. I can ask her if she knows which private models are best. I am definitely a person with a background in working out... Let me ask you: have you done this before? Rowing takes great form. It's a great workout for your arms and back and core and can be incredibly cardiovascular (even sitting on your bum), but if you don't do it correctly you can injure your shoulders, elbows, especially your back, and some other joints as well. It's a complex motion. Unless you're 100% comfortable and know your form is strong, I honestly wouldn't buy such an expensive piece of equipment.
However, you are talking about something is better than nothing here, so you probably can't go wrong. And the cool thing is you can throw the brain on autopilot and watch TV while doing it too.
I'd recommend music instead honestly. This is a motion that causes a LOT of lower back issues in people with poor form. With proper focus and technique you get a tremendous workout. With improper form you end up with a lot of aches and pains.
To be honest, your health and well-being starts primarily with your daily diet. Not diet as in no-carb or starving yourself, but knowing what's right for your body and how much you SHOULD be eating. That alone will really help you pave a path to success if you want to start getting healthy. You can still be eating good food, just have to know what you putting in your body. I recommend looking up Fat Loss under Bodybuilding.com forums and understand what macronutrients are and how to find out what your daily caloric intake should be based on YOUR body, and what your goals are. Whether it's fat loss, gaining muscle..etc. Cardiovascular exercises, such as a rowing machine, and muscle training aid in the loss of fat and help shape your body. I personally HATE cardio, except for playing basketball. It's just so boring to me. Muscle training has a double-benefit. One, building muscles and having more muscles increases your metabolism and burn fat, even when you're not even working out! Second, it's what shapes and defines your body. Does this mean you need to be lifting heavy weights like a strongman? No! Do what's in your limit, learn the proper technique and mechanics, and when you're ready, increase the weight to a more challenging, but doable amount. A gym membership will probably cost just as much as that rowing machine, and they will have one there for you to try and get advice from some trainers who are there. From a former big guy myself.
Thanks again guys. I should probably add that the rower is intended not only for my use but also my wife's. Also, losing weight is not the primary reason. I want to lose 13-15 lbs, but was already successful in losing 22 lbs with diet alone in the past. For myself, the main goal is to better my physical condition. Sometimes I feel like I'm 50 years old and I'm "only" 36. What is also important, I have had issues with my joints (knees especially) and spine. This was one of the main reasons why I initially decided to go for the rowing machine - it was supposed to be good for my joints and I didn't know it may be bad for the spine... Finally, we live in a small apartment with my wife and 2 kids, I don't have much room for a bigger exercising machine. The rowing machine seemed to not take that much place which is also a huge plus to me. not so easy where I live unfortunatelly, I've already done some research and found nexct to nothing, at least as regards rowing machines... I hoped you would chime in real. Any advice and expert insight will be much appreciated, both from you and your wife . No I have never done it before. The bolded part is bothering me, especially as regards my back. I am pretty sure my form is bad, as I haven't really worked out since College (like 12 years ago) and since then only played some BB and went to the swimming pool occasionally (until I met my wife and became father ). Let me ask you a counter question - would it not be enough if I go to a gym a few times and work with a trainer on my form and buy a rowing machine after that/if he/she says I'm doing it the right way? Would a few hours with a trainer be sufficient? To be honest rowing didn't seem that sophisticated of an exercise to me until now, but I really trust your experience, I've noticed from the houndrets of your posts related to conditioning, working out etc. that you are very good with this kind of stuff. That's exactly what I had in mind . Too bad it's impossible to read books while rowing As I added in the beginning of this post, I was already able to lose significant weight with basically only diet. I could use some additional information in this respect for sure and I will probably follow your advice and check out the bodybuilding forum, but exercise is still my priority. You are using some terms I am not too familiar with. Don't know the difference between cardiovascular exercises and muscle training, outside of what the name alone is telling me. I have to admit I enjoyed going to the gym and lifting weights back at college, but that's probably something I should refrain from due to my joints and spine condition . I also expect that the rowing machine will become boring pretty fast, but is there another exercising machine/technique which is less boring but still effective and with low risk of injuring my above mentioned risk areas?
Back can hurt from many reasons/excersises. For example, i can row for hours. Treadmil, 2-3k's and my lower back is killing me. Eliptical, few hundred meters and im done. Find a GOOD trainer and go from there. If deadlifts, squats, barbell rows and pull ups are not in your routine... look for another guy . (im old school like that )
There is one more thing I left out - I really, really do not have much time for going to the gym. I could probably arrange the time to go there twice a week, but that's about it. For this reason I consider the gym rather as a preliminary/preparatory phase for my home workout
I'd definitely try to nail it down with a trainer but just remember politics will come into play. Trainers want you there to spend your money and take their lessons. I'll try to find some good tutorials on YouTube and such so you can at least get a baseline to start from. If you have spinal issues I might consider a different machine. This is an exercise that will specifically target your back. I might go stationary bike instead or honestly why not go for runs or jogs?
Cardiovascular/aerobic exercises (or cardio for short) - Usually activities like running, jogging, playing sports like basketball or soccer, riding a bike. Weight training - Exercises that are used to build muscle. (Weight training is essentially an aerobic exercise). If you're having joint and spine conditions, the rowing machine will be very tough on your body and probably not a good choice. Unlike a treadmill, elliptical, or stationary bike, your using more than your legs. You're pulling with your arms, your back, and pushing with your legs. If you're trying to get back into exercising regularly, I'd try seeing a physical therapist to see if you can correct your conditions or at least, know what your limits are before risking further injury. The most basic, less impacting I would say is the stationary bike, unless you have really bad knees, but that's the easiest I find, and can still get a good sweat. I really like watching sports or movies during cardio or else I'd be so bored.
runs or jogs as running or jogging? I want to avoid it due to my knees issues, which seem to be more of a problem than my spine issues to be honest. As it happens, I have recently visited a spine thereapist who seemd to be a good expert. I will consult with her what kind of exercises/machines are fine considering my state. Stationary bike is too big for my apartment. Based on all your comments it seems I should just visit a number of specialists and check what kind of stuff I can do. If the rowing machine and other smaller machines are not recommended, I will probably settle for swimming... Thanks for the additional explanations. Yeah if I have to settle for swimming and the gym, I will probably give the stationery bike a shot. The meeting with a physical therapistseems to be a must. I will send my wife there too
Hey you wouldn't be "settling" for swimming. Proper swim training is one of the absolute most difficult workouts out there.
Or maybe some exercise classes that are done in swimming pools. It has a "lower-gravity" affect on your body to bear less weight when you're working out. Usually meant for older people, but anyone can do it.
Anything is better than nothing, but IMO, getting outside and enjoying the weather / scenery is better in the long-run and will keep you motivated to continue.
