Rowing for Weight Loss

whether at home or in the gym using a rowing machine or giving it a go on the water, rowing provides a tremendous workout that will improve your all-round fitness in no time at all.

Rowing works all your major muscle groups and builds your stamina, strength and flexibility in one workout.

When I was at the gym the other day, I was feeling a little stale and decided at the last minute to do something different.

Instead of the Lifecycle, I wandered over to the Concept 2 rowing machine and after a quick warm up got rowing.

Now I'm pretty fit but within minutes my lungs were burning and my muscles screaming...

Sure, I'm a guy and like us blokes have a tendency to do I went off far too hard, too quickly.

But I was amazed at how many muscles I was working and how quickly I was breathing hard for air.

If you're serious about losing weight and getting in shape, then rowing for weight loss is something you should really consider!

Rowing for Weight Loss - What are the Benefits...?

It's very effective for toning your back, legs, hips, shoulders and arms and builds the lean tissue so important for raising your resting metabolic rate.

Because you're working all your major muscle groups at the same time, your body requires lots of oxygen and rowing is a very effective way of improving the fitness of your heart and lungs.

Whilst rowing is a great stamina-building exercise, it's low impact and non-weight bearing and doesn't stress your joints the way that running does.

However, it will still build bone density due to the resistance that you're working against.

Rowing for Weight Loss - Getting Started...

Start slowly, gradually increasing the resistance over a few weeks.

If you're rowing for weight loss rather than to compete in the Olympics (!), then work at a slightly lower intensity as that's where you'll be burning the highest proportion of body fat.

Most gyms have a rowing machine or two, normally Concept 2 machines.

Ask an instructor to show you the proper technique, but basically:

Rather than just rowing for a set period of time, go for distance and challenge yourself to row a little further in the same time at the next workout.

Aim for 3 workouts a week and always warm up for a few minutes first.

Select a fairly comfortable resistance level to start with, 3-5 is good. Row just hard enough to be a little out breath when rowing.

If you've not rowed before or haven't exercised for a while, try 10 minutes at level 3-5 in your first workout.

Gradually increase the resistance and length of the workout each time you train.

Mix it up a bit after a few weeks by interval training...

Say 2 minutes at an easier resistance, maybe levels 3-5 then 2 minutes at a harder one, say levels 6-8.

Repeat this cycle 4-5 times in a 20-30 minute workout.

Rowing for Weight Loss - The Bottom Line...

Try it for 4 weeks, 3 workouts a week and you'll be amazed at the difference in your fitness and shape.

You'll burn fat, build muscle and expend huge quantities of calories each month.

Combine rowing with a healthy diet and watch the body fat melt away!

Rowing for weight loss is one of the best strategies for effective and sustained fat burning.

Why not give it a go next time you're in the gym?

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