benefits of rowing

Curious about the benefits of rowing? Here are some reasons why you might consider giving it a go!

It works the whole body 

Rowing may look like an upper-body sport, but don’t be fooled: although it’s true that upper body strength is crucial, the real power in rowing comes from the legs. That’s one reason why rowers have been called the world’s most physically fit athletes: rowing is one of the few athletic activities that involves all of the body’s major muscle groups. According to the American Fitness Professionals Association (AFPA), the rowing stroke is comprised of 65 to 75 percent leg work and 25 to 35 percent upper body work.

It’s a high-cardio, low-impact sport

Many low-impact activities, like yoga, help hone balance and strength, but don’t offer so much on the cardio side of things. Rowing is one of the very few sports that can get your heart pounding without placing a lot of strain on your knees and ankles. This is why rowing is sometimes recommended as an exercise option for people with early stages of osteoarthritis, or those seeking to actively recover from an injury. The same cannot be said for high-impact exercises, such as running or plyometrics (“jump training”).

It can have mental health benefits

The smooth, gliding motion created by the rowing stroke—either on a real boat or on a rowing machine—can be very meditative for some people. This is mainly due to the four phases of the row stroke: the catch, drive, finish, and recovery. Repeating these motions over and over can allow the mind to go on autopilot, creating a calming effect that is as beneficial for the mind as it is for the body! In addition, like all demanding workouts, rowing releases feel-good hormones that can reduce stress even further.

It can help improve posture

If you’re like most Americans, you probably spend large amounts of time hunched over a screen—a behavior that can negatively impact your back muscles. When certain back muscles are unused, it can cause you to slouch or have bad posture all the time, not just when you’re at the desk. Certain sports, like cycling, can also cause people to develop posture abnormalities, like slumped shoulders and neck pain. The good news is that rowing with proper technique can help strengthen your back muscles, helping improve your posture and flexibility. This is because, instead of hunching your back, the rowing stroke requires you to use your legs and core, and essentially engages literally every single muscle in your back. As you extend and flexing your back during a rowing exercise, you’re stretching and strengthening muscles that are generally weak and unused.

It’s great for all ages and fitness levels—really

Reading through this article, you might gain the impression that rowing is an intense, grueling workout—and it can be. However, it can also be a great entry-level sport for those with very little fitness experience at all. A rowing machine’s resistance can be adjusted to suit your needs, and the low-impact nature of rowing means that it is a good sport for elderly or disabled persons. No matter how old you are, what you weigh, or what your fitness level is, rowing can provide a challenging workhouse that’s still in your wheelhouse—so you feel confident and successful, not destroyed, after your workout!

If you are looking a rowing club in Inverness FL, we hope you will consider joining us and giving rowing a try. It has certainly brought our members a great deal of physical and mental fulfillment!