Why I Row (And You Should Too)
Rowing (machine) is by no means a perfect workout, no single work out can be, but I find it to be the single most effective complete body workout out there. I’ve been working out on a rowing machine everyday since shortly after the Covid shut everything down and it has been the one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life. Not only did it helped me get healthier and stronger physically, it also helped me understand my body better and paved the way for other heathy habits like eating and sleeping better. I am planning on rowing for the rest of my life and following reasons are why you should strongly consider trying rowing if you haven’t already.
It’s A Complete Body Workout
Rowing is a rare workout where you can do both cardio and resistance training. It works your entire lower body, your hip/pelvis, core and your upper body including arm, shoulder and back muscle. Because it works your entire body, daily rowing should satisfy most exercise needs for most people.
Safe For All Ages
Because it’s a low impact exercise, people of all ages can use a rowing machine. Most machines available will have different setting for different strength and you’re rowing at your own speed so you can go as fast or slow as you’d like. Just make sure to take a few minutes in the beginning to learn how to properly use a rowing machine and you’re good to go!
Forward Head Posture
Due to the ever so increasing time spent on our smart phones, Forward Head Posture, or FHP, is something that we’re all are concerned about, not just office workers or students who spend extensive time staring at a screen or books. The most effective way to correct Forward Head Posture is through exercise, by strengthening your back, neck and shoulder muscle, and rowing is naturally pulling back motion, targeting those muscle groups, and help correct FHP and round shoulders.
It’s A Time Saver
Let’s face it, we’re all strapped for time. There’s not enough hours in a day to go to work, commute, eat, deal with family and friends and go to the gym and work out. How long does it take to get dressed, drive to the gym, wait for machines, work out, drive back and hit the shower? Too long. Time, or lack there of, is one of the biggest road blocks that’s preventing a lot of people from getting healthier. That’s why owning a rowing machine at home, which I strongly recommend, is a great time saver compared to going to a gym to exercise. 30 minutes of rowing a day should suffice, unless you’re an olympic rower, and you can row any time of the day that suits you, and jump into shower right after.
