There is so much hype and misunderstanding surrounding rowing machines and the muscle groups that rowing machines exercise. There are those that suggest it is purely an upper back workout. There are those that suggest it is of limited value for all around fitness training.
What I can say is that the rowing machine or ergometer as some prefer is a great all around exercise. What is vitally important though is that you choose your rowing machine very carefully. You also need to ensure you know how to operate your rowing machine correctly to ensure you don’t do yourself any physical damage.
A rowing machine, or ergometer, simulates the movement which occurs while rowing a boat. Most high end designs incorporate a sliding seat allowing you to use your upper body and legs to push and pull on the handlebars in a rowing motion. Rowing machines provide aerobic conditioning as well as some resistance training benefits.
Basically you can break the rowing exercise up into three stages. Each of these three stages exercise different muscle groups whilst you are performing the different mechanics of the rowing stroke. How much effort you put into each stage determines how much benefit you will get from the exercise.
The first stage of the rowing machine exercise is primarily focussed on the leg drive for positioning and power. It therefore should come as no surprise that the major muscle groups worked here are your quads, your calves, your hamstrings, and your gluts. This is easily verified by doing a vigorous ergo workout and feeling the lactic acid buildup in the legs.
Translated into the real world, flabby legs, particularly your thighs and that saggy, dimply butt, can quite easily be a thing of the past by exercising on a rowing machine. Best of all, rowing machines these days are relatively cheap and compact. This puts you in a position to buy your own and use it at home without breaking the bank.
Buying your own rowing machine saves all the hassle of getting home from work with very little time to yourself. Your family needs your time, you need to get ready for the gym, you need to find a carpark, etc, etc. Then, when all that is done, it is difficult trying to get a stint on a very popular piece of apparatus to fit in your training.
Do yourself a favour and make a rowing routine part of your training workouts. You will definitely see timely positive benefits in your physique. I am sure your friends will notice, not that they should have said anything in the first instance anyways.
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