You have decided to invest in a fitness equipment so that you can exercise from the comfort of your home. Congratulations! It’s ideal for keeping you in good shape for a long time!
But which one should you choose? You’re lost in the plethora of products on the market! Well, I’m exaggerating a bit, in reality there are four main fitness equipment is available to you: rowing machine, elliptical, treadmill and the exercise bike.
You’ve heard about various benefits of the rowing machine. You know that it is great for cardio, strength training, and burning calories, and that’s right. But what about other fitness machines?
The truth is that depending on the part of the body you want to work on and the goals you have set, one fitness machine will be more practical than the other. So, is rowing machine going to be the one that best meets your goals? In this article, we will make a comparison between the rowing machine vs the treadmill.
Rowing machine: a Complete machine
Have you ever rowed before? If so, you’re on familiar ground with the rowing machine. What makes this machine interesting is that it allows you to work almost all the muscles of the body. Rowing will increase your endurance and regulate heart rate. It will help you burn calories more quickly than any other fitness equipment.
Why you should buy Rowing machine
Rowing machines can help you tone your entire body and strengthen your muscles, without putting on weight as there is no weight to lift. It will also help you correct your posture and improve your posture. In fact, rowing properly strengthens the back and abdominal muscles. It is therefore suitable for the prevention of lower back pain, provided you perform it properly.
Read also: Is Rowing Machine Good for Lower Back Pain?
Rowing is an excellent tool for slimming down. One hour of rowing will help you burn 600 calories on average. It is a combination cardio- and strength-training machine that can be incorporated into weight loss programs as well as strength training programmes. It can also be used for warm-ups, long cardio sessions, HIIT, and split training. You can even modify your training to suit your needs.
This machine is versatile and will help you achieve all your goals in one workout. It can be used to strengthen your muscles, increase your physical ability, improve your overall health, lose weight, or even boost your overall health.
Disadvantages of the Rowing machine
Rowing machine is not easy to use. It’s a real challenge with this device is to execute the movement correctly. This requires a little practice and concentration at the beginning because you have to make sure that you :
- Coordinate your arms and legs well
- Keep your back straight
- Keep your abdominal muscles covered
You will need to learn the technique and a good knowledge of exercise. There should be coordination of movements to prevent injuries. You need to be extra careful if you have back or neck pain. In this way, you will engage all the muscle groups and reap the rewards of your hard work. At the same time, you’ll avoid injury. Follow our guide on how to row properly.
Finally, rowing may not be recommended for people with specific ailments (heart disease, knee problems, neck pain, etc.). Overweight people may also find the machine and the sitting position uncomfortable.
Read also: Best Rowing Machines in UK
Treadmill – The Most Popular Fitness Machine
A treadmill is a great piece of fitness equipment to help you stay in shape, lose weight or train. It is probably the most popular fitness machine across the world. You can train at home efficiently using the treadmill while still reaping the benefits of running, such as improved endurance, weight loss, a reduction in excess fat, a refined silhouette, and maintaining your physical fitness.
Why you should buy a Treadmill
You’ve probably heard the recommendation to walk 1000 steps a day to be healthy? But it’s not always easy to fit them into your sedentary lifestyle? The treadmill will help you to achieve them from the comfort of your living room.
The first advantage of the treadmill is that all you need is a good pair of trainers! No technique to master, no complicated adjustments to make, no movements to watch out for… Everyone can run! And running on a treadmill has the same health benefits as running outdoors.
Like the rowing machine, the treadmill will help you improve your cardiovascular and respiratory capacity as well as your endurance. In addition, running is great for strengthening muscles. By running, you work many muscles of the lower part of your body: calves, thighs, buttocks, abdominal muscles…
In terms of calories, a one-hour treadmill session will allow you to burn about 600 calories, the same number as an equivalent session on a rowing machine. It is therefore an excellent device for all those who aim to lose or stabilise their weight.
Another notable advantage that will reassure its users is that running on a treadmill is less traumatic for the joints than running outside. Treadmills are equipped with shock absorbers that limit the risk of injury to some extent.
Read also: Best Treadmills For Home Use in UK
Disadvantages of Treadmill
Despite its many benefits, the treadmill has some drawbacks. Running on the treadmill is boring. It does not allow for the privilege of enjoying the fresh air. Also running on the treadmill increase the body temperature faster, resulting in a higher heart rate (up to 1 km/h can be lost for the same heart rate as in outdoor training). This results in a higher energy cost for the runner. If your goal is athletic performance, a treadmill is likely to be less effective.
It’s easy for people to become accustomed to running and walking outdoors, as they have access to parks and trails. This is quite the opposite to the treadmill, which can quickly become boring.
Read also: Settling the Debate: Rowing Machine vs. Elliptical Trainer
Rowing machine and Treadmill – Whats the difference?
One of the main difference between these two fitness machine is; the rowing machine works 90% of the muscles in the body and the treadmill will mainly work the back of the body. However, an individual will burn fewer calories on a rowing machine than on a treadmill.
A rowing machine is a great way to build muscle mass. Indoor rowing is more efficient than running for strengthening muscles. Because it simultaneously works the upper and lower muscles. This creates a harmonious and balanced figure. A rowing machine is a better choice for someone who wants to lose weight. The machine will give you a cardio workout that is similar to a treadmill and build muscle. The rowing machine is great for weight loss because it boosts metabolism for hours even after a workout.
Read also: Get Out of Your Cardio Rut by Incorporating Cardio Interval Training
The Treadmill: an adjustable device
A treadmill will allow you to walk or run indoors at the desired pace. This device focuses on the lower body. By using it, you will refine your thighs, lumbar muscles, calves and buttocks. The treadmill will develop your cardiovascular and respiratory capacities.
It is best suited for people who want to lose weight and those with weak joints. Treadmills have a perfectly smooth surface, which provides a good degree of cushioning. Compared to soft ground, such as dirt or grass, it will be a pleasure to exercise on.
Less complete than the rowing machine, but more fun and adjustable at will, the treadmill does not offer real physical progress. It is less effective than a run in the open air or in nature. The latter allow you to exercise your balance better on uneven ground. You will then need to find a supplement for a more complete sporting effort.
What should I choose between a rowing machine and a treadmill?
Whether you choose a rowing machine or a treadmill depends on the physical effort you want to make. Both rowing machines and treadmills are great fitness equipment, offering many health benefits. You will need to decide which one best suits your needs and expectations.
Both machines are equally effective in terms of health and calories burned. However, the rowing machine is more versatile than the treadmill. This machine will quickly build muscle and shape your body.
If you want to work your whole body, you should choose the rowing machine. But if your objective is weight loss, the treadmill is the best choice. However, be sure to allow for space, because both of these machines take up a lot of room.