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Sometimes, you just have to be creative with your exercise routine in order to keep yourself interested in doing your workouts. Cardio workouts can be done in different ways, and different exercise equipment can also be used. One piece of exercise equipment that you can use to get a full-body cardio workout is the rowing machine.
Indoor rowers may seem only to work out your upper body, but the truth is they also work out your lower body. They don’t put much stress on your knees and hips, which makes it a great piece of exercise equipment that can be used by people of various ages and fitness levels.
Various known brands that produce different kinds of exercise machines have also created their own version of the rower. At first, it can be difficult to choose one because they all may seem similar. By taking a look at the details and the full features we have come up with the 5 best rowing machines. Come and take a closer look at them.
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Rowing Machine Reviews
Concept 2 Model D Indoor Rowing Machine with PM5
The Concept2 Model D Indoor Rowing Machine effectively works out your whole body with low-impact movements. This model is used by competitive rowers as well as those who just wish to have a full-body workout. The Performance 5 Monitor, or the PM5, is a unique feature that gathers and shows your workout data so that you can easily see your progress.
The PM5 has a built-in backlight that enables you to clearly see your workout data; it is also compatible with a USB flash drive so that you don’t lose all your precious data. The adjustable arm that holds the monitor enables you to properly adjust the monitor at the position where you can clearly see it.
The flywheel provides smooth movements and responds well to your efforts. It is also designed to minimize noise while in use. The airflow to the flywheel can be adjusted with the spiral damper and this enables you to adjust the feel of each stroke depending on your preference.
The footrests are adjustable so that it can accommodate various shoe sizes. The ergonomic handle feels good on the hands and has a 10° bend to make rowing feel more natural. The nickel-plated steel chain prevents the rower from easily being damaged as it is used.
The quick-release frame-lock mechanism makes it possible to separate the machine into two pieces for more compact storage. The castor wheels also help with easy transport of the exercise machine. This row machine needs to be assembled, but all the tools and an illustrated instruction manual come with the purchase.
Stamina Air Rower (Black, Chrome)
The Stamina Rower gives you a cardio workout while working on your glutes, hamstrings, shoulders, arms, and back. The oversized seat rail is made of steel, and it enables smooth sliding movement while carrying up to 250 lbs. of weight. The steel construction of the frame also makes it stable and sturdy so it doesn’t wobble when being used.
It uses dynamic air resistance that not only makes each row stroke smooth, but also allows the user to intuitively adjust the intensity or resistance of their workout. The multi-function performance monitor shows data such as time, calories burned, speed, and distance. The seat is padded for comfort and it helps prevent pain on your bottom, even during extended times of use.
The handgrips are textured to provide enough grip while you row. The large foot plates are capable of accommodating any size foot, and the adjustable foot straps secure the feet snugly in position for each rowing movement. The pivoting foot plates also allow the feet to move more comfortably as the body exerts effort in rowing.
The floor protectors not only help prevent your floors from being damaged, they also help prevent the exercise machine from skidding while you are working out. The foldable frame makes it easier to store when it is not in use. With the built-in wheels, pushing and transferring it to your storage area is easier.
WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine in Ash Wood with S4 Monitor
The Water Rower Natural Rowing Machine boosts your heart rate while being gentle on your joints. This unique row machine makes use of its patented WaterFlywheel that is made to simulate rowing a boat in water. Two paddles are inside the water tank and this provides the quiet and smooth resistance.
The water tank and flywheel make the self-regulation resistance system, in which the user can row faster for more resistance, or slower for less resistance. No matter how fast or slow your movements are, you can be sure that there is no jerking, jarring or dragging that can be felt.
The Series 4 Performance Monitor is a user-friendly modern technology that shows you your heart rate, stroke rate, distance, zone bar, and duration of the workout. The quick-select and navigation buttons are large enough and easy to use. An optional heart rate chest strap can also be attached to it to better monitor your workout.
The frame, handcrafted from ash wood and stained with honey oak, is capable of absorbing both sound and vibration. This hardwood construction ensures that the frame doesn’t warp out of its original dimensions. The seat is capable of carrying up to 1,000 lbs. and it easily glides on the dual rails through the use of four wheels.
The rubber feet help make sure it doesn’t scratch the floor, and it stays in its proper place while you work out. The rower requires assembly, but instructions are clearly provided. It also comes with the water syphon, chlorine tabs to keep the water clear and fresh, and a DVD to help with how to use it.
Velocity Exercise Magnetic Rower
The Velocity Exercise Magnetic Rower is a compact rower that can provide you with a cardio workout in the comfort of your home. The drum magnetic control system, or DMC, and the electronic tension control is responsible in adjusting the resistance. With this system, you can expect a smooth and whisper quiet operation.
The aluminum frame keeps it sturdy, but light enough to be moved around. The ergonomic and padded seat smoothly glides over the aluminum frame and it helps makes sure that the lower back muscles are stress free. It is capable of supporting up to 275 lbs. of weight.
The rower has a total of 12 programs with one manual program and 6 pre-set. The LCD display shows what program you are currently doing, as well as other data such as pulse rate, time, stroke per minute, distance, calories burnt and watts. It also has a built-in heart rate receiver that lets you connect an optional chest belt to properly monitor your heart rate.
The foot pedals are large in size and they have a non-slip surface with a Velcro strap to secure your feet during the workout. The aluminum frame conveniently folds up for a more compact storage. The built-in wheels also make it easier to place it in the corner of the room when not in use.
BodyCraft VR500 Commercial Rower
The BodyCraft VR500 Commercial Rower makes use of the latest technology in providing a smooth and high-performance rower. The resistance system used is a combination of an eddy current magnetic resistance and an electronically controlled air resistance; such a combination results in 32 different levels of resistance.
The heavy-duty aluminum construction of the monorail makes it capable of withstanding even the most intense workouts. The 12 pre-programmed workouts available include 2 interval training, 4 race profiles, a quick start manual program, a recovery program, and 4 target heart zone programs. The data gathered is clearly displayed on the black mask LCD with LED backlight.
The handlebars are ergonomically designed and fitted with comfort grips to make rowing workouts a pleasure to do. Four buttons are also found in the handle bars and these remotely control the resistance setting of the workout. The contoured and ergonomically designed seat glides smoothly with the help of the high-quality roller bearings. The adjustable heel rest and foot straps keeps the feet in place.
The steel support legs provide stability and balance of the rower while being used. The fold-and-roll system is easy to use and it enables you to make the rower more compact in just a couple of seconds. There is also a child safety lock that prevents your child from using it unsupervised.
Conclusion
Achieving a fitter body is possible without doing high impact workouts that can cause further damage to your knees and joints, especially if you already have that kind of health issue. Each of the rowing machines we mentioned above can provide you with the low impact workout that you need. By using any of these regularly, you can improve your overall fitness.
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