Do you want to level up your at-home cardio workouts? If so, consider investing in a rowing machine. Rowing machines are some of the most efficient and effective cardio equipment.
These machines offer a whole range of benefits that traditional rowing machines can’t compete with. Whether it be comfort, convenience, or portability – a rowing machine can do it all.
But one question at this point is: should you get a standard or an upright rower? And that is the question we will explore today. Let’s dive into these exercise machines and compare their pros and cons. Stick around a little longer, and by the end, you’ll know exactly which type of rowing machine will best meet your fitness needs!
Major Differences Between a Standard and an Upright Rower for Sports and Recreation
Need an effective workout rec sports machine to build strength and tone your entire body? You must settle the debate between upright rowing machines and standard ones first.
Here’s a quick look at their pros and cons before we proceed to explaining them:
Standard Rowing Machine Pros & Cons
Upright Rowing Machine Pros and Cons
While both models offer great advantages, it’s essential to understand how they differ before deciding. Let’s now dig deeper into the main differentiating factors between these rec sports machines:
Workout Intensity
⦁ Standard rower: More whole-body exercise intensity
⦁ Upright rower: Shorter motion range and lower intensity
Standard rowing machines, often called “rowing ergometers,” are designed for competitive rowers. Their most prominent feature is that they use a flywheel connected directly to the handlebar, which allows users to simulate the motion of an actual rowing stroke. This provides a very intense full-body workout focusing on working your arms, legs, and core muscles. As a result, these machines provide a higher-intensity workout than other exercise equipment like treadmills or ellipticals.
Standard rowing machines offer a challenging full-body workout that works out your upper and lower body. These machines provide an excellent cardiovascular workout and improved muscular strength. However, they can be difficult for those new to rowing, as they require you to maintain proper form while performing each stroke.
Upright rowing machines are a more user-friendly option for those starting rowing workouts. They use a much shorter range of motion than standard machines, making them easier to learn and master. This also makes them ideal for people with limited space since they take up less room than standard machines. Moreover, upright models focus more on the upper body muscles and can provide an intense cardio workout for users of all fitness levels.
The upright rower design lets you stand up while using the machine, which makes it a more convenient option if you have difficulty getting on and off seated machines. These models also usually come with adjustable resistance settings, so you can customize your workout depending on your fitness goals. While these features make them great for beginners, they provide less intense workouts than standard models since they don’t require you to use as many muscles at a time.
Muscle Targeting
⦁ Standard rower: Latissimus dorsi and rhomboids
⦁ Upright rower: Deltoids, pectorals, and trapezius
The standard rowing machine is designed to target multiple major muscle groups, making it ideal for an overall body workout. It focuses on the back muscles, including the latissimus dorsi and rhomboids. The glutes, quads, and hamstrings are also targeted during a rowing session on a standard machine. Working out with this type of rowing machine will activate your core muscles as well as your arms and legs.
The upright rowing machine primarily focuses on the upper body muscles, such as the deltoids, pectorals, and trapezius. This rower puts less strain on the lower body than a standard machine, making it more suitable for weak knees or hips. Additionally, upright machines provide users with a more comfortable rowing experience because they don’t require you to be in a hunched-over position like standard machines. However, one downside of using an upright rower is that it won’t challenge your core as much as a standard model.
Cardio Benefits
⦁ Standard rower: More cardio impact
⦁ Upright rower: Lesser cardio impact
Your sports & recreation efforts should ensure that your whole body is engaged in a workout. Luckily, a standard rower is designed with your back parallel to the floor and your legs extended out in front of you.
Its movement mimics actual rowing on water, creating a full-body workout that engages your core and side muscles. You will also burn more calories than other machines due to the larger range of motion and intensity involved with each stroke.
The upright model, meanwhile, is more compact and takes up less space. It provides a seated position for exercising—allowing you to row with just your arms and shoulders engaged.
The upright rower does not offer as much resistance, so it may not be suitable for intense cardio workouts. However, it provides an excellent way to work out without putting undue strain on your joints or back muscles—making it ideal for those with limited mobility or joint pain.
Resistance Levels
⦁ Standard rower: Adjustable resistance and impact
⦁ Upright rower: Limited adjustability
The resistance level of any rowing machine is determined by the force needed to move the rowing handle or flywheel along its track. In general, rowing machines provide more resistance than other types of exercise equipment because they simulate the motion of rowing on water.
Upright machines usually have fewer resistance levels than standard models, providing less variability in the workout session. A standard rowing machine typically offers an infinitely adjustable amount of resistance that can be changed at any time during your workout. This makes them ideal for anyone who wants continuous variation in their workout. This machine also has adjustable footrests that match the user’s leg length, which helps reduce strain on the lower back.
The upright rower is designed to offer an intense strength workout. It features a unique setup where you sit directly on top of the machine’s flywheel, and pull-down handles with adjustable weights that provide additional resistance on each stroke.
The design of a rec sports upright rowing machine makes it easier for users to target certain muscle groups and get a more intense workout than a standard machine. However, because this design does not allow for infinite adjustment, it may not be suitable for those looking for varying intensity levels throughout their workouts.
Summing Up
There you have it! A comprehensive comparison between a standard rowing machine and an upright rowing machine. To sum up, standard rowing machines focus on strengthening muscle groups more than upright ones, while upright ones provide an intense upper body workout. You should consider these key differences when deciding which of the two machines best suits your sports & recreation goals. Ultimately, the ideal fit would be a combination of both models to ensure that users experience all the benefits and avoid any potential negative effects. Good luck with your sports and recreation objectives!
