Rowing Machines

1. Exercise bikes not enough of a workout? Treadmills got you down? Time to look at the latest and greatest in home exercise equipment- the rowing machine. It's easy on your wallet and tough on your core. Rowing machines are excellent ways to get an all-over body workout in the comfort of your own home, concentrating on upper, lower, and core muscle groups.

2. Rowing machines work the upper body with rowing handles and the lower body with pedals. This means that your own body creates the resistance with which your muscle groups are challenged- what an idea! For those of you looking for a different type of workout, however, multiple types of resistance are available, such as hydraulic, water, magnetic, and air.

3. Hydraulic resistance rowing machines are ideal for small spaces and light resistance; magnetic resistance rowing machines feature strong resistance and silent operation but cannot fold for storage; water resistance rowing machines offer the most authentic full-body workout because resistance increases as user speed increases; air resistance rowing machines offer users the most control over the level of resistance, but can't fold and can be noisy.

4. While resistance is essential in choosing the type of rowing machine that's right for you, it is also important that you think about size and price. Be sure you know how much space you can devote to a rowing machine, which will determine if you need a folding option. Also, rowing machines can be pricey, but they are also serious investments in your health that can change with you over time, so choose wisely.

5. Rowing machines offer versatile workout regimens. They are great for beginners and advanced rowers alike, because while the motion doesn't change, the resistance and difficulty level does. Each rowing machine provides full-body cardio, but its intensity easily accommodates user skill levels.

6. For beginners, be careful to follow rowing machine posture and procedure closely to avoid injury or strain. Be patient, and gradually increase resistance over time as strength and ease continues. For more advanced users, find a balance between being too aggressive and too timid. Be sure to use enough resistance to keep you challenged but not so much to overdo it.

7. Buyer beware: rowing machines may not be ideal workouts for people who have a history of back pain, circulatory problems, or chronic fatigue; however, in moderation these exercise machines can actually improve disc health, increase circulation, and boost energy.