KeepItSteel":2jzsz8hs said:
Neil":2jzsz8hs said:
KeepItSteel":2jzsz8hs said:
But the best thing is that the rowing increases your strength all over, and my riding has improved as a result.
Most exercise will improve strength over a baseline, for the deconditioned, but as a generalism, cardio exercise isn't really strength training.
Like the hint in another reply, rowing training improves rowing performance, cycling training improves cycling performance - and there is often
some crossover - frequently (because most of these types of exercises make demands of the cardiovascular system, as well as some frequent common big muscle groups), but the best method of improving cycling, is to ride a bike, the best method to being better at rowing is to row.
That's not to say that people serious in some specific sports disciplines don't train in other exercises (say canoeists, inline / ice skaters etc) - they do, but as a generalism for the serious, that's to assist in their main sport.
If you want to get strong, you use progressive resistance in some kind of strength training (typically, weighlifting / weight-bearing exercise), and exercise within certain ranges of strength (the upper end) - beyond the newbie effect, most cardio exercises have little contribution to real strength. The ability to sustain real strength is a slightly different thing, but all the same, you get my point.
Rowing (indoor) is by far the best cross training discipline i've ever come across. And thousands (including top atheletes) will testify the same.
Don't get me wrong, I've nothing against rowing or concept-2s - I've used them plenty over the years. And as a generalism, I quite like rowing for cardio - but like a lot of cardio machines, can't quite find it compelling for long term use.
As to machine rowing's objective merits, I think it's a strong exercise, normally favoured by those that like a challenge and like to compete against something (be it the clock, or some other measure).
But like many cardio machines, it's not a killer exercise that everybody will flock to and adhere to. Elliptical machines are popular, too, and stationary bikes and treadmills are all evergreen.
Personally, I find the only cardio I tend to stick to, year-in, year-out, being that that has a skill involved, too - like heavy bag work, or skipping. All the other stuff like exercise bikes, treadmills, elliptical / cross-trainers and rowing machines only catch my interest for a few days / weeks at a time.
KeepItSteel":2jzsz8hs said:
Also, rowing works all the major muscle groups, and if on a higher resistance setting also acts as a form of resistance training, as well as cardiovascular.
With respect, it doesn't work all the major muscle groups.
The main muscle groups rowing affects / demands are quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, back (lats, rhomboids) and rear shoulders (posterior deltoids), forearms and biceps.
Any other effects (say shoulders) would only occur as a minor effect of either stabilising or kind of reflex contraction. I doubt it would have any notable bearing on the pushing side of upper body (so chest, triceps, front shoulders).
That said, it has a greater field of influence on muscles than many cardio exercises, but due to the type of exercise regime it is, the impact on muscular development / strength or size, is only up to a limited point. The point of strength training being the
progressive aspect of the resistance, plus the resistance being most, if not all, of the available strength.
Any exercise done within the rationale of cardio work will only have quite a limited bearing on strength, due to the amount of strength exertion involved in sustained movement.
KeepItSteel":2jzsz8hs said:
Rowing has increased my lat and shoulder strength in a way cycling alone wouldnt have, and the results have meant my endurance and sprinting whilst stood on the pedals have improved.
That may be true, but if your goal is really improving your lat or shoulder strength, there are better ways.
True combining it with cardio is kind of a time saver, but there's very limited returns on that front - even accepting that rowing can place more direct loading than other forms of cardio.
As to shoulder strength, well most shoulder strength is displayed in raising the arms in various planes. The only shoulder strength I can perceive, realistically from rowing, is mainly mid back strength / development, and rear shoulder development / strength (so improvements in bringing the upper arm towards the torso.
Unless you're doing something funky in how you pull the handle, I'm not getting why it would improve any development or strength involved in raising the arms, either forwards, or to the sides.
KeepItSteel":2jzsz8hs said:
Croos training by its very nature is an excellent way of maintaining or improving in a given discipline as it helps the body to not become over familiar with a repetitive training method.
I'd say it may help with some areas of fitness or muscle structure not worked directly by the chosen sport, and can help with either boredom or motivation, but make no mistake, for most sporting or athletic pursuits, the best way to improve them is to do them, cross-training is usually only either just partial assistance / belt-and-braces / motivational tool, or to avoid overtraining.
. Could'nt imagine being sat on a rowing machine for 7 mins (rather tan the bike) i'm more a finger chins sort of fella...usefull for holding on and not letting the bike escape.
, though there is nowt wrong with getting ever increasingly specific.
