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Making the most effective use of rowing machine equipment entails much more than just sitting down and going through the motions. Having an understanding of the machine itself and how it accomplishes what it’s supposed to do can add valuable benefits to your workout you wouldn’t realize otherwise.

Rowing Machine: What Is It?

A rowing machine is a personal fitness equipment that works by simulating the physical effects of watercraft rowing. It can be employed both as an exercise machine for use during a workout or as training equipment for athletes looking to enhance their rowing strength.

The indoor device has been around for over a century now, although, the decidedly effective use of rowing machine equipment in a large scale is relatively new. Rowing machines create their desired results by providing resistance to rowing motions, similar to what will be encountered during actual watercraft use over a body of water. As such, the same benefits are realized.

Resistance Types

Effective use of rowing machine equipment require facilitating varying levels of resistance for different people who will be using it for their workouts. As such, most rowing machines will have easily adjustable resistance levels that can be increased or decreased with the touch of a button.

What you probably don’t know is that this resistance can come in different types. There are four types of resistance usually employed to facilitate the effective use of rowing machine models, namely:

• Piston Resistance
• Magnetic Resistance
• Air Resistance
• Water Resistance

Piston resistance is the most popular of the four and is often found in extremely compact units. Rowing machines fitted with this type of counter-force are usually small enough to be easily folded up and moved from one location to another. While they work quite well, they don’t exactly facilitate the most effective use of rowing machine exercises. As such, most athletes and serious trainers prefer more advanced forms of resistance.

Rowing machines with magnetic and air resistance offer better controls and smoother operation during workouts, making them a more popular choice among commercial gyms and training facilities. The more flexible controls allow for more effective use of rowing machine exercises during workouts, making them a better equipment for more advanced athletes. Additionally, the smooth operation allows for extremely quiet use, which can prove beneficial when you’re using the machines at home and do not wish to cause any disturbance.

Displays

Most modern rowing machines include multi-informational displays that provide important real-time information that can help guide you during your workouts. The effective use of rowing machine equipment will be greatly aided when you use these tracking displays to your advantage.

Speed, time, distance rowed, resistance levels, calories burned and heart rate are often included in the display, all of which can aid in the effective use of rowing machine exercises, helping you adjust your workout based on what generates the best results. For instance, if you want to burn more calories within the same workout length, you can increase either the resistance or accelerate your motion, two factors you will likely find hard to track without the on-board displays.