Indoor Rowing Machines: 4 benefits of having one at home

Pete Donohoe
/

As rowing gains popularity, more and more gyms are increasing the number of rowing machines they offer due to higher demand, and rowing centres are popping up in many major cities. You may be wondering whether it’s worth it to invest in an indoor rowing machine for your home, when they may be accessible elsewhere. The truth is, nothing beats having a top-notch and versatile piece of fitness equipment in the comfort of your home. Here, we’ll unpack some of the reasons that we believe having a rowing machine at home is such a worthwhile investment. 

Convenience and Flexibility

We’re willing to bet that if you took a poll of people on the street and asked them the biggest hurdles that keep them from working out, these 3 would make the list:

- Not enough time - No access to equipment - Too tired

Life is busy and hectic for most of us, and even dedicated athletes sometimes have to push themselves to make exercise a priority. When you bring your exercise equipment into your home, it goes a long way to solving these issues. Not enough time? Too tired? We get that. But who among us hasn’t been “too tired” before a full-body workout and 10 minutes into it been glad that you bit the bullet and started. Once those endorphins get flowing, there is no regretting a workout! No access to equipment? Definitely not an issue when the equipment is in your living room. 

The convenience of having a home rowing machine solves many of the excuses that keep people from making exercise a priority in their lives. It’s just easier to exercise when your equipment is 5 feet away. Having an indoor rowing machine takes the guesswork out of a commute to the gym, and out of carving out a large chunk of time on a busy day to get a cardio workout in. Even if you only have 10 or 15 minutes to row, that’s a decision you can make on the spot. There’s no packing a bag, driving to the gym, trying to find a locker and a free machine, watching the clock, and potentially cutting your workout short to make sure you leave in time to fight traffic and get home before you’re late for work. When your gym or fitness machine is in your home, you just wake up, lace-up, and jump into your workout.

Comfort and Customisation

For some, the crowds at the gym are half of the draw. Some people thrive working out with and in front of others. However, it’s estimated that between 25 and 40% of humans are introverts – and probably not a big fan of a crowded gym or sweating in spandex in front of 50 other people. In fact, the anxiety of working out in front of others can keep some people from working out at all. For these personality types, home use equipment is an awesome way to keep exercise accountability in a much more comfortable setting. 

But you don’t have to be an introvert to enjoy the comfort of a home workout. Even if you enjoy working out in a group, there’s no denying the comfort of having a fitness regimen at your fingertips. Maybe the lack of an audience lets you push yourself that much harder or throw yourself into your workout in a way that you might be hesitant to do in front of others. 

Aside from offering you the ability to work out in whatever way you’re most comfortable, purchasing your own indoor rower lets you customise your machine. When a gym has to worry about stocking 10-15 of the same machine, chances are they may not spring for the one with the best tech or features. The best rowing machines will have an ergonomic handle, Bluetooth connectivity, stroke count, performance monitor, footrests near the foot pedals, and a very comfortable seat. 

With a Hydrow rower, not only do you get the best tech available and a variety of professional athletes to lead your row on an LCD monitor, but you can also customise your workouts to fit your mood. When you’re in the mood for a high-intensity workout, try the “Drive” category of rows that require maximum effort. You can choose the length of your workout based on how much time you have to exercise, and know that no matter which one you choose, you’re going to be giving it your all. 

If you need to slow things down or take a bit of an active rest day, choose a row from the “Breath” category, which focuses more on stress relief and mindfulness while still allowing you to work your muscles – but definitely not at maximum effort. Right in the middle is the “Sweat” category, which focuses on consistency and endurance building – not quite as intense as a “Drive” row, but a “Sweat” workout will definitely get your blood pumping. 

Full Body Workout in One Piece of Equipment

Even if you’re used to exercising at home, either on a machine, weight capacity training, or on a foldable mat for easy storage, it’s not always easy to come up with workouts on your own. Especially for people new to exercising, or new to at-home workouts, it can be a daunting task to plan workouts that really allow you to get the most out of your at-home regimen. When you purchase the best home indoor rowing machine, you’re giving yourself access to a quality piece of equipment that works 86% of your body’s muscles at once by doing full motions. There’s no guesswork when you’re rowing – is it arm day? Leg day? Core day? It doesn’t matter, because your indoor rowing machine is going to work all those muscle groups and more. 

The muscle groups worked during a row include:

- Upper back - Lats  - Quads - Hamstrings - Core  - Biceps - Forearms - Glutes

In other words – pretty much your entire body. You’ve got your upper body, lower body, and torso working together with each stroke to give you an amazing full-body workout right in your living room. It will increase your heart rate, stamina, and strength training. If you continue doing this low-impact workout, you will get closer and closer to reaching your fitness goals. And with a high-quality machine like Hydrow, you not only have access to a variety of rowing workouts, but there is a whole section of mat workouts available that work you through exercising the other 14% of muscles that your row doesn’t cover. Now you won't have to jump from the treadmill to the exercise bike to work different parts of your body. 

Cost-Effectiveness

While we think spending money on your health and fitness is never a bad idea, the truth is that gym memberships and fitness classes are not inexpensive, and especially if you’re someone who works out on a regular basis, these costs can really add up. 

While investing in at-home fitness equipment like an indoor water rowing machine that uses water resistance has a higher up-front cost, in the long run, you actually end up saving money when you purchase your own machine. Many people prefer a water rower to an air rower (air resistance) or magnetic rowing machine/magnetic rower (magnetic resistance).  The important thing to remember when making this investment is that it’s just that – an investment. This is not the time to look for the best bargain. Make sure you have the budget for the machine you’re purchasing, but remember that you get what you pay for. A high-quality water rower rowing machine is going to give you a high-quality workout, and a company that prides itself on manufacturing a top of the line machine has more often than not devoted significant resources to research and development to make sure that you get the absolute top pick of technology and ergonomics when using their product. 

Final Thoughts

Two huge factors that contribute to why people decide to purchase at-home workout machines are the convenience and accessibility. With an indoor rowing machine, you get all that and more. Specifically, with a Hydrow, you also get the valuable support of the Hydrow community. Between a cast of motivating athletes to guide you and a network of teammates to build you up, you can expect to be challenged and strive for your best with each milestone through with the Hydrow. 

So, if you’ve been considering purchasing an indoor rowing machine for your home, we don’t think you’ll regret it. Keep in mind that not all rowing machines are made equal. Make sure you find one that is high-quality such as a Hydrow. Nothing beats the efficiency, convenience, support, and accessibility of having a high-quality rowing machine right in the comfort of your own home. 

To learn more about Hydrow visit the website and experience rowing reimagined.