Indoor rowing has taken many gyms by storm lately and is seeing such an upsurge in popularity that it has started to become an individual sport as well as still acting as one of the main training aids to sportsmen and women who partake in water based rowing activities. The idea behind the rowing machine is that it simulates, in as simple a way as possible, the actions required when rowing a normal boat. By training on this sort of machine an athlete can get as close a workout as is possible to doing the real thing and in the off season or cold winter months these types of machines are ideal.
With the advantage of not taking up much space the indoor rowing machine has also seen a rise in popularity as a home training unit for people of all ages and chosen disciplines. By working many parts of the body it is also a diverse exercise that could be made part of any regular exercise routine. Rowing is mainly a great form of cardiovascular exercise but does put strain on many muscle groups as well.
There are a few different models of rowing machine that can all be used effectively to exercise the relevant muscle groups no matter how the resistance is achieved. The difference each of these machines has is the way in which the pressure of the stroke is applied. Most rowers will tell you that once a paddle hits the water there is a crisp and consistent resistance. Many rowing machines falter here and become easier as the reach the end of a stroke. Though not an accurate representation of rowing itself, these machines are still widely used to train out of the water.
There are many reasons the popularity of indoor rowing has grown continuously over time, including the fact that they are so accessible to people of all ages and fitness levels. It is not unusual to see plenty of elderly competitors at an indoor competition and many of those who do attend can give the younger competitors a run for their money. By taking a simple and repetitive action and forming it into an exercise machine that is so accessible, the manufacturers of these units have managed to create a machine that is now as common as a treadmill in local gyms. It does not look like the popularity will slow down anytime soon either.
