Rowing for muscle?

Shure · 14 Jun 2006 at 20:52

I'm wanting to improve my general fitness levels and mainly getting rid of a future beer belly in the making. How will rowing change my physique with a good diet and supplementing protein? Should I expect to see some muscle growth? or will all the benefits be cardio?

Freeman · 14 Jun 2006 at 21:09

If your planning to improve general fitness you don't want to be doing 1 thing only. You'll need to be doing a variety of work outs, cardio and weights.

BrenOS · 14 Jun 2006 at 21:12

You've two routes:

1) Read GordyR's sticky thread at the top of the page
2) Buy an ab trainer

daven1986 · 14 Jun 2006 at 21:14

rowing is a good all round workout, so do that, but incoporate other things. if you are looking to lose weight try doing longer rows, but for muscle gain do short sprints.

daven

Shure · 14 Jun 2006 at 21:40

I should also say that I am already playing football twice a week and doing the odd spot of mountain biking.
I'm just curious how rowing will work for me as opposed to an eppilitical trainer for example?

p.s. I also have no motivation in me what so ever to use weights as a workout. I've been there and tried that I always fail to stick with it

Red and White · 14 Jun 2006 at 22:06

chrisstevens said:
I should also say that I am already playing football twice a week and doing the odd spot of mountain biking.
I'm just curious how rowing will work for me as opposed to an eppilitical trainer for example?

p.s. I also have no motivation in me what so ever to use weights as a workout. I've been there and tried that I always fail to stick with it

then i doubt you'll stick with rowing. its very tough and a bit boring on a machine

Shure · 14 Jun 2006 at 22:07

Clerkin said:
then i doubt you'll stick with rowing. its very tough and a bit boring on a machine

I'm doing fine so far on a cross trainer but I thought the rower might be a bit more demanding and much more of a all over workout

Morba · 15 Jun 2006 at 00:10

first i think you need to really think about your goals.

rowing will help you get fit and will be a good overall workout (for both body and heart) however you want to be doing other things aswell. do both the xtrainer and the rower and maybe some time on a treadmill.

using a rowing machine on its own really wont be giving any real gains in terms of muscle.