If you are looking for a low-impact workout that targets multiple areas of the body while getting your heart rate up, rowing might be the right exercise for you! You won’t have to get in a canoe (or even get wet!) to try your hand at rowing. Most gyms, knowing the many benefits, have rowing machines available to their members. We’ve put together a list of some of the best reasons you should give rowing a try this year.
It Targets Multiple Muscles
There are very few workouts that allow you to engage as many muscles at once as rowing does. Rowing engages your deltoids, pectorals, biceps, abs, obliques, quadriceps, upper back, triceps, lats, glutes, hamstrings and calves in one fell swoop. This ultra-inclusive workout can help you cut down your workout time by targeting multiple muscles groups without having to switch machines.
Weight Loss
If weight loss is your top priority, rowing can be very beneficial because it burns calories rapidly. An intense rowing workout can burn over 350 calories in half an hour, depending on your current weight. Because you are engaging multiple muscles, you are burning more calories than you would if you were only focusing on one muscle group at a time.
Muscle Toning
Rowing requires very little pressure on the joints and focuses on the legs, back, shoulders and arms. As you perform this workout, your core will be engaged as well. As you get more comfortable with this workout, try adjusting the rowing machine to create a tighter resistance. This helps increase the rate at which you build muscle.
Stress Relief
Stress is a part of our day to day life. With the demands of work and home life, many people are looking for healthy ways to reduce stress. You’ve probably heard that exercise is an excellent way to reduce stress and it’s true. Rowing is a fantastic workout for reducing stress. Rowing increases the number of endorphins released in the body, which reduces stress and can even lift feelings of depression.
Low-Impact
Over time, many runners experience pain in their knees because of the impact of their feet hitting the ground. For those seeking an easy-on-the-joints exercise, rowing is an excellent, low-impact workout. If you have suffered from an injury to your elbows, knees, hips or shoulders, this exercise allows you to get a high-intensity workout without the negative effects of high-impact training.
Cardiovascular Benefits
When your large and small muscles are activated, your blood flow increases and your heart is getting a full workout. Rowing improves lung, heart and circulation systems, too. Not only does rowing help you burn calories quickly, but it increases your heart rate and improves your cardiovascular fitness in less time.
These are just a few of the benefits of adding rowing to your workout regimen. You should always consult a professional before starting any new workout. If you have an injury that is still causing you physical pain and preventing you from living an active lifestyle, contact the team at Momentum Physical Therapy. We have 12 locations to serve you, including our newest site at The Rim. Schedule your free pain assessment today.
