Water Rowing Machine

Rowing machines have always attempted to simulate the workout of rowing a boat, so it's only natural that water be used as the medium for generating resistance. But do the new generation of water rowing machines really offer an advantage over air or magnetic resistance machines?

The earliest rowing machines used hydraulics, elastics, or springs to create the resistance needed. These all worked to a degree, but all had their limitations and none really offered a smooth workout, with even resistance throughout the stroke.

These days the choice is generally between air, water or magnetic resistance. The most popular machines, such as the Concept II rowers so often seen lined up in gyms, tend to use air resistance, but more and more water rowing machines are now coming onto the market.

The concept is quite simple, water is obviously the resistance medium when rowing a boat, and so the best resistance to simulate that in a rowing machine is obviously water. This actually tends to hold up in real life too - water rowing machines do tend to feel more "realistic" and many users report mor eenjoyment from their workouts, and actually being motivated to use their machines more regularly as a result.

However, more realistic doesn't always mean better. While water rowers do have advantages, such as the realistic feeling and less noise, air resistance rowers still have their place. With a water rowing machine the resistance is almost instant, right at the start of the stroke, as opposed to an air machine where the resistance increases as the flywheel spins up to speed. This means that an air machine might be better suited to anyone with back trouble, as the stoke is "gentler".

At the end of the day, the decision is as much personal preference as anything. There is no doubt that water rowing machines are quiter, and usually more aesthetically pleasing than air rowers, but your best bet is to try both and see which you like best.