Rowing machines ....Your Thoughts??

A few years ago I did a deal with my diabetic nurse that I could come off Metformin, which was causing me difficulties, if I'd take an 'exercise on prescription' course - which was basically 3 months free gym membership. I totally loved it and for the next 2 years or so, paid for myself and went routinely 3 times a week. I had a medical emergency and my husband had a bad hip that put paid to that for a while and we decided to set up some gear at home instead.

One of the pieces of kit that I especially liked in the gym was the rowing machine - I felt that it gave a good full body workout as you use your arms, legs and stomach and back muscles and it's very aerobic. We currently have a treadmill and bike in the cellar (which I'm heading down to when I've posted this) and have been contemplating if we have space for a rower at some time too. I liked the cross trainer as well - that's easier on the joints than walking and does involve arms as well (but not in the same way as the rowing) - we don't have the head height for one of those, hence looking at a rowing machine instead.

Like any home gym equipment, you get what you pay for and being able to set different levels of resistance would be important for me, I always liked to use it at maximum resistance and feel like it was making me work. I'd see other lasses in the gym sat on it at the lowest level for 5 minutes and they just looked like they were sliding up and down on their bums and kidding themselves abut how much work they weren't actually doing.

There are a lot of more serious exercisers here than me, so hopefully you'll get some more informed answers.

I fully recommend a rowing machine , it's a full workout. I use mine as a 'backup' if the weather is too bad to run or cycle. Also used it daily when I couldn't run due to to an injury. My first one was a cheap and nasty , which fell to bits after 1 year.

I had one for a few months but sent it back as I didn't use it enough to justify it. Also my ex-boss used to coach the UK womens rowing team and did give me a stern warning about injuries that can be caused by incorrect use of these machines. He even insisted on coming round to show me the correct technique. In the UK you can rent one for a few months to see if you like it.. I would strongly suggest doing this before investing in your own if it's available in Aus.

Too **** lazy. it just sat there gathering dust..Also didn't really enjoy using it ... prefer to swim.

I love the rowing machine at the run. Space and money allowing I'd have one at home.

I always loved the rowing machine when I was at the gym next door to were I worked. It was ideal for women that didnt want muscles. It is aerobic and less impacting on joints than running. I also loved the stomach crunching it did without doing situps.

When I use to go to the gym I loved the rowing machine because it was a complete body work out. But remember with the rowing machine you are using your knees a lot as you initially push back and then your abs and arms take over. So it might end up causing more problems on your knees. I do remember at the gym one guy who had done his knee in skiing favoured using a cross trainer as it took out much of the impact on his knee.

Whilst I know it doesn't give the same intensity as using a rowing machine I have actually found using resistance bands as a great way of exercising other muscles which walking, and in my case cycling, don't touch.

I would love to have one at home but don't have room nor, to be honest, the money at the moment.

The best ones are Concept 2000s http://www.concept2.co.uk/ those are the ones the hardcore rowers use.

What is great about a rowing machine is that, if you are doing it properly, you can do aerobic and anaerobic exercise on them; doing a 2000 meter sprint is one of the most exhausting things I've ever done in exercise terms. But you also can pootle along for 20 minutes at a more sensible rate.

I used to do a lot of rowing; my shoulder muscles are still lopsided because one side was very developed and the other not so much; causes havoc at the tailors bag:)

Best

Dillinger

The rowing machine gives me a lot of back pain since I had sciatica. However, I did get a reduced price gym membership through a GP scheme and it was great. The trainer had specialist knowledge for working with people with knee and back problems. I stuck to the special GP sessions so did not feel out of place as it was so not Bondi Beach hour! Also, I could use the pool and even walking up and down in the water was a good work out. They also did aqua aerobic sessions which were good.

yes, concept 2 if you can get one

I bought a concept 2 row machine about 5 years ago it is fantastic, you can connect to commuter and race against other usersthe right technique is vital to avoid injury, so going to a gym and getting a trainer to show you, lots of people tend to lean back but you should stay straight up.
I knew a guy that had burstitis in his knees, rowing was recommended to him, my own knees were damaged due to doing leg weights and I gave never had a problem with rowing but we are all different so do make sure it is right for you.

Well I do some light weights and rowing. It certainly makes me feel great, when I can do it. For me personally legs and arms have benefited, the bit in the middle not so much, but I think that is me and my other health issues.
I don't think anyone should under estimate how hard it is to do correctly, you need to build up slowly.
I would say do 5 minutes, then rest, for how long is up to you, then another 5. When you go to a gym they normally say do 20 minutes, I think you shouldn't be doing that straight off, but build up, 10 minutes to start before going for 15 then 20, once you get there cut the rest periods down by a minute each time so you then after a week or 2 you can do 20 minutes straight.
Also start with a low resistance and build up, 4 on a concept 2 is OK to start.
Remember warm up before and stretch out after any exercise.
I also do slow row, fast row, but that is for the whole 20 minute exercise, and don't worry about distance too much, your not going anywhere.