A lot of people ask this question so they can better understand what piece of equipment to use. When talking about the rowing machine vs. treadmill to ask which is better, we first need to explain “better”. The explanation of “better” depends who you ask. One person’s thought of better is the machine that builds the most muscle. Another person’s idea of better is which machine that burns the most calories. In other words, every person’s explanation “better” can be very different.
Both rowing and running provide a great cardiovascular workout that helps in:
- Brightens up your mood
- Improve your sleeping conditions
- Promoting weight loss
- Increasing energy level
- Burning calories
- Increasing bone density
- Reduction of risk of heart disease and some types of cancer
- Increasing confidence
- Strengthening your heart and lungs
…The list goes on and on but hopefully you get the point
Treadmill has the ability where you can adjust your running speed for a challenging workout. Treadmill mostly works on your leg muscles such as calves, glutes, hamstrings, and quadriceps.
Whereas, rowing machines have adjustable resistance to cater to the users’ strength level and a user can also row as fast as they can possibly row. It provides a great cardio workout as most of the muscles of the body are worked out on rowing machine. You get a perfect leg work out by pushing off and your entire upper body is exercised during the “pull” portion of rowing. Rowing is truly a great functional fitness exercise that requires your whole body to work hard, not just your legs.
Other benefits of Rowing Machine:
- Cardiovascular Benefits
Using a rowing machine is an endurance that uses carbohydrates to provide the energy required to exercise and also increases heart function.
- Muscle Toning
Rowing uses almost every muscle group in your body. It uses upper body muscles to strengthen the back, arms and shoulders. With little pressure on the joints, due to the activity’s low-impact nature, rowers work their hips, legs and buttocks with each stroke.
- Stress Reduction
Rowing machine is so convenient that you can also do it at home and then fold the machine and store it out of sight. Such cardiovascular workouts, in particular, increase the amount of endorphins released in the body, which can reduce stress and even lift feelings of depression.
- Weight Loss
Rowing rapidly burns calories, making it a appropriate addition to your workout routine if weight loss is your chief priority.
Whichever machine you ultimately prefer, Cosco recommends mixing up your workouts so that by using different machines and changing routines your body will not get used to exercise you’re performing.