What to Look for in a Rowing Machine

Before you consider purchasing a piece of fitness equipment, you should familiarise yourself with the different parts and features that are available. The rowing machine is no exception, of course. When it comes to rowing machine fitness, there are quite a few things to know, so we have created this list to help you make sense of it all.

The Bar / Handle

The bar or handle is pretty self explanatory. It is the part of the machine that allows you to grip and pull toward you, creating a rowing movement. It is attached to your rowing machine by a cable.

The Flywheel

The flywheel is an internal component that creates the resistance that provides you with a better workout. It creates momentum as you manoeuvre the bar forward and backward that allows for smooth operation.

The Seat / Saddle

It doesn’t take a college degree to help you realise that the seat, sometimes known as the saddle, is where you sit while operating the rowing machine. Most often the seat slides forward and back in tandem with your pulling and pushing motions, recreating the sense that you are gliding across the water in a row boat.

Sculling

A variation on the normal rower is the sculling machine. This type of rowing machine uses a swinging lever (or levers) rather than the usual bar and cable. They are generally much easier to use.

Stroke

When you have completed an entire back and forth rowing movement, you have made one stroke. Machines that record your progress will most often display it using a measurement of strokes per minute.

Pulse or Heart Rate Monitor

Another common sense term that still bears mention here is the pulse or heart rate monitor. They are available on many rowing machines and as far as I’m concerned they are an invaluable part of your exercise routine, especially if you are in less than perfect health to begin with. A monitor will display your heart rate while exercising thus allowing you to adjust your pace as needed to maintain the most effective heart rate for exercise (generally 70-80% of your maximum heart rate). Some higher end machines allow the heart rate monitor to directly interact with preset programs, increasing or decreasing the resistance as your vital signs dictate.

A home rowing machine can be a fantastic choice for people who are interested in losing weight or increasing their strength, stamina and speed. Now that you are armed with a basic knowledge of the machine itself, you’re better prepared to compare the different brands and options available to you.