Posted on 05/29/2017 1:55:05 PM PDT by RoosterRedux
With their sleek aesthetics, club-inspired music, and cult-like followings, cycling studios have been on top of the trendy boutique fitness totem pole for the better part of the last decade, led by grapefruit-smelling, feel-good-mantra-spouting SoulCycle (which people seem to either love or hate).
Competitors such as Flywheel and Peloton have tried to knock Soul off its throne, but there's a whole new game-changer beginning to take over the world of sweaty, sexy group workouts: indoor rowing.
That's right, the machine that everyone ignores at the gym, the same old one collecting dust in your grandpa's basement, is poised to be the new boutique fitness go-to. And in some cities, it's already happening. Here's why. Rowing is an excellent full-body workout
Though it used to be no more than an excuse for douchey bros to scream "STROKE!" at each other in between Ivy League frat parties, rowing's actually an intense workout. If you've never tried it before, you should, if for no other reason than that one of the keys to maintaining a successful fitness routine is to mix up your workouts. It seems inevitable, then, that a population obsessed with cycling and treadmill workouts would eventually turn to a new form of exercise to satisfy their lust for fitness diversity.
Rowing demands the use of your arms and legs, unlike cycling, which focuses primarily on your lower body (aside from those dinky 2lb dumbbells you use for like five minutes in SoulCycle). If you nail down the proper form, it can help you build power and strength. Plus, it's a killer cardio workout, and a low-impact option for people with joint pain. When done at even a moderate pace, rowing can really increase your heart rate -- 30 minutes of rowing can burn around 200-300 calories.
As one of the best cardio machines at the gym, it's no wonder the rower has become the focus of entire 45-minute classes and specialized studios.
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In college my friend had one of those indoor rowing machines.
It was a butt-kicker and really got his weight down.
I was thinking about one the other day before I even read this.
I'm not worthy
You could put little diapers on them. But they tend to scratch furniture up worse than cats.
I love my concept 2. It is da bomb. accept no substitutions.
LMAO.
Can I join your team?
> My problem with rowing indoors is that the oars keep bumping and scratching the floor and I never seem to get anywhere. <
You probably forgot to pull up the anchor. it’s a common rookie mistake.
Don’t forget this beni of the garden:
http://upliftconnect.com/science-finds-soil-help-depression/
It’s only been a week. I may not be worthy either.;-)
Ramming Speed.......(love that line)
Or resist those 3 minutes of stuffing your face with a little slice of chocolate cake.
And the soundtrack!
I’m up to 5,000M in just under 29 minutes which puts me #49 in my age/weight group.
Bought my Concept2 in 1992 on the advice of my nephew who rowed with the Oxford Blues.
I just started rowing 12,000 meters a day (5 days now) and my blood pressure has dropped from 145/95 to 120/66.
Actually a little scary. Thought I would check with my doctor.
Touche’! I really cracked up at that...
My BP did the same thing. It’s in the 109/58 range.
Two years ago I almost died when it went to over 230, liver and kidneys failed, and picked up a nasty staph infection that was causing me to hemorrhage internally. The MD’s told me I wasn’t going to last that night but I’ve had the last laugh so far.
Then rehab. They said I only had a 50/50 chance of living until July of last year. Started a physical exercise program that include Bowflexing, walking 31/2 miles a day, and the Concept2. Can’t say enough for rowing machine.
My son started on crew as a freshman. Winter training is hard and he really didn’t take to it. I bought a cheap rowing machine and can do about 40 minutes and 900 strokes. It doesn’t measure distance so I don’t know what that is. It’s not that easy. Some times I get a little nauseous at first but then the endorphins kick in and get a good work out. I listen to music and try not to focus on the display.
My gym’s rowing machines are behind the area where the gym bunnies do their various bending and stretching on their mats and kettle bell squats, so yeah, I use them on cardio days. Perspiration inspiration.
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