Row, row, row your health

What is your ideal workout? Perhaps in as little as 20 minutes, working 86% of your muscles, completing a cardio workout, relieving stress and burning calories while having little impact on your joints. Sound too good to be true? Actually, rowers have known for decades that the often-overlooked rowing machine at the gym is one of the biggest secrets in fitness. 

Rowing works your upper back, pectorals, arms, abdominal muscles, obliques, calves and glutes. Yes, that is a lot for one exercise. Your legs do about two-thirds of the work while your upper body accomplishes the rest. Rowing could be the biggest time saver since the microwave. Only the results will be much better than burnt popcorn.  

Want more? Rowing will give it to you. In addition to working your muscles, it will also give you a cardio workout improving heart and lung health that often surpasses running for the same amount of time. And even better, it is much easier on your joints than a treadmill or pounding a blacktop path.  

“Rowing is what I would consider a super-exercise. You can achieve almost a total body workout in very little time. Besides being good for your muscles, it is going to work your heart which can also help prevent heart disease.”

As you probably know, most exercise is good for your mental health, but many rowers vouch for the calming effect of performing the rhythmic rowing motion. Rowers often state that rowing on a lake or river providers a calming sensation. However, if you don’t live near water, there are a variety of rowing machines in different price ranges. Plus, rowers can often collapse and fit under a bed if you are cramped for space.  

“Rowing is what I would consider a super-exercise. You can achieve almost a total body workout in very little time. Besides being good for your muscles, it is going to work your heart which can also help prevent heart disease,” said Monica Grygo, M.D., Genesis Primary Care.  

Twenty minutes for almost an entire body workout that benefits your cardio and mental well-being? It sounds like it is time to start a new workout. Before you start rowing or any other exercise program, please consult your family doctor.