Rowers are the Boomers best all around fitness equipment.

EXERCISE EQUIPMENT

ROWING MACHINE
Kettler
Lifecore
Stamina

ROWING MACHINES ARE A BOOMERS PERFECT HOME EXERCISE MACHINE

Healthy looking young couple at fitness gym

Rowing machines may very well be the best all around fitness equipment. You work all major muscle groups including legs, arms, back, abdominals and buttocks while rowing. Rowing also provides aerobic conditioning as well as strength training which makes rowing a very time efficient exercise. This dual-purpose workout is a great calorie burner as well (vigorous rowing is like running a 6 minute mile). Because rowing is an impact free activity, it can be a life-long form of exercise. Rowing machines are also one of the few home exercise machines that can strengthen your back muscles, and who doesn't need that?

That being said a row machine can be rough on the body, especially for out-of-shape folks. The technique on how to use a rowing machine is not intuitive, and to get the benefits of a rowing machine you must use proper rowing machine form. Bad rowing form can aggravate the knees and back. People who already have problems in these areas want to start slowly and limit activity on their rower before learning the proper technique. Manufacturers' literature can be useful here if you do not have access to personal trainer type advice at home or at the local gym. It's not gymnastics and anybody can do it, but good rowing machine form is important. If you want to test the waters and see if using a rowing machine will work for you, try the Bally Pilates Rowing Action Exerciser. It's about $20.

Row machines come in four models: water, hydraulic, fan, and magnetic resistance. With the water model the workout is generated by a flywheel overcoming the effect of drag in a water tank. Hydraulic rowers, which include most home rowing machines, consist of shock absorbers attached to handles that you pull like oars. Both types generally include a sliding seat on a track that works the legs and lower body. Both types offer the full benefits of a rowing machine. The water rowers are very good at emulating the experience of rowing a boat through water.

Air or fan models generate resistance by spinning a fan attached to a flywheel. The faster you pull the handles the faster the fan spins creating more air resistance, which then makes it harder to pull the handles. Air rowers, however, do provide a smoother, more continuous motion than hydraulic rowers. Kettler rowing machines are German made and feature one rather unique air rower-magnetic rower combination design.

Magnetic rowing machines create resistance through a magnetic brake system. Exercisers generally see two distinct advantages to the magnetic rower. One is that because nothing is spinning they are very quiet. The other is that because they are electronic a multifaceted workout session can be programmed into the machine. A disadvantage to some magnetic rowers is that they do not provide the same auditory and tactile feedback as the other types. Lifecore offers some outstanding features in magnetic rowers and builds the most bio-mechanically correct rowing machines.

The hydraulic rowing machine is a good choice if you want to stay well under $1,000 or if space is a major concern. The Kettler Kadett rowing machine is the top-of-the-line hydraulic rower. Stamina rowers are surprisingly inexpensive and get good rowing machine reviews. The Stamina 1205 rowing machine is priced low enough to buy a his and hers today.

Perhaps more important than type of rower is that the rowing machine fits the user's frame. People over six feet tall find that some rowing machine models do not allow a full stroke. Common seat sizes may not comfortably accommodate 250 pound frames. Lifecore makes a model that would accomodate a horse if you could make it sit. Check the manufacturer's specifications. Like all exercise equipment rowing machines take up room and storage is a consideration for many. Some home rowers, however, can be folded and stored under a bed.