The Pros and Cons of Air Rowing Machines

Rowing machines not only offer efficient and effective full body exercise, they also give a great cardiovascular workout at the same time. Of the various types of rowers on the market today, one of the most popular is the air rowing machine. In order to help you understand how they work and better decide if an air rower is right for you, we have created a list of pros and cons of using an air rowing machine as opposed to hydraulic piston or water pressure rowers.

The advantages of an air rowing machine

The first major advantage that air rowers have over their hydraulic counterparts is that they offer a much smoother stroke and they generally weigh a great deal less, a factor you’ll appreciate should you ever have to move your machine.

As a result of the smooth stroke action, air rowers offer a more consistent resistance from one stroke to the next. This is much more akin to the action of rowing an actual boat with each stroke having the same resistance. Water, of course, maintains a constant resistance and the air rowing machine is excellent at recreating that. By forcing air through a chamber, the resistance remains consistent from stroke to stroke because like water, the resistance of air doesn’t change.

A consistent stroke provides a much more consistent and beneficial workout, so the air machine is a smart choice because you know every stroke will be the same from start to finish.

Another potential plus is that most air rowers are compact in design and many can be collapsed to fit in a closet or under a bed, keeping to a minimum the space needed for your workout routine.

Now to the down-side of the discussion…

Air rowing machines are noisy! With each stroke, you will hear a WHOOOSH! sound that will get louder and louder as you quicken your pace. The sound is the result of the air being forced through the resistance chamber.

Another potential problem may actually turn out to be a benefit depending on the user of the machine. Air rowing machines create quite a breeze while in use, due to the air being forced from the chamber. If you’re anything like me, I appreciate the extra breeze, especially after I’ve been at it for a few minutes! Whether this is a pro or a con is entirely a matter of personal opinion and preference.

Air rowing machines offer a smoother and more consistent stroke than their counterparts, while being lighter weight and more compact. They are quite cost effective and not out of reach for most budgets.

Consider these key points before you make your decision about what type of rowing machine is right for you!

Copyright © 2010 Fitness Choice | Contact Us | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy All Logos & Trademarks used on this website are Registered Trademarks or Trademarks of the respective owners and are in no way affiliated with Fitness-Choice.co.uk