Rowing Machine vs. Elliptical Trainer: Which Workout Should You Choose?

When you hit a certain age, you are bound to gain more weight than lose it, even if you watch your diet and try to stay away from greasy and fatty foods. Your metabolism will begin to slow down. Fortunately, this can be remedied by staying active, starting an exercise regimen that includes walking and strength training. But you’ll need an alternative for the times you can’t do your outdoor exercises and you need to stay indoors. You may want to choose between a rowing machine and an elliptical trainer. Both have high-calorie burning capacities and work major muscle groups. Working on multiple muscles in one exercise is very important for burning calories and developing muscle tissue that burns calories even when you aren’t working out.

Rowing machines and elliptical trainers are low impact machines, which means they don’t put strain on joints during the workout. They also target different muscle groups. Elliptical trainers target the upper and lower body - chest, arms and legs including the buttocks. The rowing machine targets core muscles and legs. Here is a rundown on each exercise machine’s key characteristics:

Rowing Machine

In a study conducted by Harvard Health Publication, rowing machines were found to help you burn 210 to 311 calories in a span of 30 minutes.

To row efficiently and burn calories, you need to row properly, either by asking a trainer to help you do the right rowing technique including proper posture or by watching an instruction video on how to row properly.
It targets different areas, core, and lower back muscles. So, if you want to develop and strengthen your core, lower back and legs, a rowing machine might be good for you.

Elliptical Trainer

In the same study, elliptical trainers were found to burn more calories than rowing - ranging from 270 to 400 calories during a 30-minute workout

Although it is an aerobic exercise machine like the rowing machine, it develops the shoulders, arms, chest, and legs. Although most people using the elliptical do not realize it, they can get a higher intensity workout than rowing to build their muscles.

It is very easy to use, and you do not need a trainer or video to learn how to use it properly. Just hop on the trainer and start running/pedaling. The unique mechanics of the elliptical that combines running and cycling keeps the heart rate up and intensifies the workout more than rowing without straining joints and muscles.

You choose between the elliptical trainer or rowing machine based on how much you want to burn as well as the muscle groups you want to develop. If your priority is your core and lower back, and do not mind the number of calories burned, then go for the rowing machine. Now, if you want higher calorie burning capacity and you want to develop upper body and your legs, choose the elliptical trainer.

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