Rowing Part 1: Going the distance indoors
Today, we’re launching into indoor rowing as the first of a two-part series on rowing. Why devote two articles to rowing? Well, having rowed crew in college, I admit that I’m completely biased that rowing is the best sport in the world. On top of that, there’s good evidence that if you want to get in shape, rowing is a great choice of exercise.
Rowing is low-impact, which means it puts less stress on the joints than high-impact exercises like running or jumping. It’s not only a great aerobic exercise but is unique in that it requires both strength and endurance and is a full-body workout that engages multiple muscle groups, including the legs, back, arms and core. In fact, studies have shown that rowing can increase VO2 max, a measure of aerobic fitness, more than running or cycling. And if you’re trying to lose weight, the Journal of Sports Science and Medicine found that rowing also burns more calories per minute than running or cycling.
Indoor rowing starts with a rowing machine, or ergometer. While there are many rowing machines available, the Concept2 Ergometer (or C2 Erg for short) is the original, and still by far most popular, rowing machine that you’ll find in gyms and used by competitive rowers. Yes, there are some newer bougie rowers out there like the Hydrow rower or the extremely bougie Austrian-made Biorower (yes, I'm looking at you Greg Johnson) but the C2 Ergometer is still a great, durable choice.
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