Several types of rowing machines have hit the shelves of many modern day sports and fitness equipment stores. Prospective fitness freaks today face the pleasant dilemma of having to make a purchase decision from a wide variety of equipment choices in front of them. Coming in a variety of sizes, shapes and functions, rowing machines are quite diversified and are available in a price range to suit the pocket of both the commoner as well as the discerning high-class fitness professional. There are four main types of rowing machines prevalent in the market today – the hydraulic resistance type, air resistance type, water resistance type and the magnetic resistance type. In this article, we will briefly touch upon how each of these types of rowing machines differs from one another.
The hydraulic rowing machine as the name suggest runs on the principle of fluid resistance, which could be either of air or oil providing he counter forces. This is an easily adjustable contraption which lets you choose between doing very light workouts to heavy fast paced workouts. A significant benefit of the hydraulic rowing machine is the supreme compactness offered as they are normally the foldable type for easy stowing in small paced. However, this type is limited in functionality and does not fully replicate the natural rowing motions.
The air resistance of flywheel rowing machine goes one better than the former type in that it is able to recreate the motion of real rowing indoors. As the oars are pulled in the course of the rowing action, a connected flywheel rotates which has fan blades that drag the air. So the faster the flywheel rotates, the greater the drag and hence every time you pull hard, you build more resistance in the system and thus work out more.
Compared to the previous two types, the water rowing machine is a relatively new entrant in this domain and has simulation of the real rowing experience as its unique selling proposition. Instead of air that causes the drag force in the air resistance rowing machine, its water that does the same job here. A desirable offshoot of this model is the fact that it’s virtually silent as the number of mechanical sliding parts in contact with each other is minimal.
But the most silent of all these rowing machines are the magnetic variants as the resistance which is based on magnetic attraction has virtually zero friction element and therefore energy dissipation as sound is non-existent. Very sleek and aesthetically designed, the magnetic resistance rowing machine is a preferred buy amongst the artistically inclined.
Finally, do keep in mind that no matter which rowing machine you finally bring home, its full effect can be realized only with constant, consistent and regular workouts in the right manner. With each passing stroke, you are one step closer to getting that dream bod you always wanted! Have fun!
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