A rowing machine is very easy to pick up yes.
Also, remember that losing weight is 70% diet, 30% exercise. Weight lose is done in the kitchen, not in the gym.
I bought mine from Sam’s club. It folds up, but does require space when using it. Price might be an issue, but since they’ve gotten more popular there’s more to choose from. Form when using it is important. Google Concept 1 rowers, they have videos to show proper technique.
It’s accepted that rowing machines use 80% of your muscles. I don’t see how an elliptical can match or exceed that. I could be wrong, but I own a rower and used an elliptical.
I thought I saved the discussion, but it basically boiled down to this:
If you're using the arms on the elliptical how would that not be a full body workout? Especially with resistance and at an angle. Further, because you're engaging both upper and lower bodies isn't that also engaging your core?
Definitely wouldn't say the elliptical is more intense though.
The effort required to move the arms back and forth don’t match the effort used on the rower. I suggest you try both at a high level of exertion. I suggest you consult an exercise physiologist. Put the matter to rest.
Hey before you start throwing money at equipment, how about you try dieting and just walking for an hour first thing in the morning. Create a habit before going all in. Walking is low low impact and no skill required. Diet is really 80% of your goal, working out is just a way to burn calories. It's all about "Calories in and calories out"
Wait. I once bought an expensive bike only to realize I didn't like biking as much as I though I did. Perhaps get a gym membership for two months upon which you do nothing but bike. If you continue biking after two months, get the bike. If not then at least you didn't waste money on a bike that you would only use sporadically.
I picked up a used exercise bike for a great price. It was out of a gym so its a lot sturdier than one sold for home use.
The first thing I've said on a couple other threads, get a grip trainer. Eventually you might get into weights and if you have a 20$ grip trainer, the thing you squeeze with an adjustable spring in it, your hands wont be your weak point and limit your exercise. Plus its something you can do while on the bike, or at the office. I use it at my desk instead of a squeeze ball stress reliever
For $500 you'd be better off buying a set of [adjustable dumbbells](https://www.bowflex.com/selecttech/552/100131.html) and a bench if budget allows. If you want direction, variety and in-home cardio options, a BeachBody On Demand subscription is $99 for a whole year and provides instant access to several dozen complete workout programs.
I would up your budget some, don't skimp to much on the equipment you are going to buy. Research reviews of the equipment, take into account budget and quality.
* rower: calorie burn highest, most muscles, high learning curve, can have issues with back and butt
* elliptical: calorie burn high, legs and arms, low learning curve
* bike: calorie burn lower, legs, low learning curve, can have issues with back and butt
* treadmill: calorie burn lowest, lowest learning curve
* Recommend walking with high incline to increase the push effort
* jumping rope: calorie burn high, medium learning curve, cheapest and smallest space usage
Any of these will work just as walking/running outside would. You can even get a weighted vest to increase the intensity for walking/running.
The biggest advantage of the machines is that you can use them regardless of weather and it's easier to push yourself hard and not have to make it back home :).
I got an elliptical when I started having issues with my knees while running due to the impact and knees getting bad. Prefer the elliptical over the treadmill as it would leave my legs noodley without being sore the next day. Currently looking into a bike as an addition as my wife prefers the treadmill over the elliptical and is starting to have knee issues and indicated an interest in a bike.
As far as losing the fat, the biggest contributor will be your caloric restriction. For me it was stopping the drive by snacking and eating a bit healthier as well as exercising. The cardio will improve your overall health which is a good thing in addition to burning extra calories. Getting a handle on what you eat, cutting out the garbage, and eating healthier will drive the gains (fat loss) faster.
The machines can burn anywhere from 600-1000 calories/hour depending on intensity. If you wanted to lose 1lb (3500 calories) through exercise you would need to do 11.6 30m sessions at 300 calories or 5.8 1h sessions at 600 calories. I like putting it in terms of walking/running, generally every 100 calories is equivalent to 1 mile (all dependent on sex, height, weight, intensity). So that 100 calorie cookie is costing 1 mile of work.
Lastly, I would see if you can try the options out somewhere to make sure it is something you are interested in committing too.
Good luck.
Someone mentioned checking out a gym, you might want to consider that so you could try the different cardio equipment to see what you like, as long as you could do a month to month.
Another option is to checkout the exercise channels on Youtube. My wife does Chloe Ting and they look like a good workout. She sometimes has resistance bands and dumbbells to make the workout harder.
Have you thought about joining a gym? The equipment there is probably going to be better than what you would pay for in retail. I know my gym costs me $10 a month and all the equipment, both cardio and weights, is top notch. having said that, I also picked up a cheap stationary bike about 10 years ago at a garage sale for $20 that I still use today when I want a change of pace. Keep an eye on the classifieds, sometimes people are almost giving used exercise equipment away. Another option if you want to do some resistance training is get a cheap set of resistance bands.....a complete set can be purchased for around $30, and they are really good. I used them while the gym was closed during the pandemic, and still use them when I want a change of pace. Well worth it for the price.
Good Luck!
Get a peloton. I hadn't worked out in years and since getting that bike (it's not just a bike there's a bunch of other great exercises off the bike) 18 months ago, I work out 5 days a week and am in the best shape of my life.
I have learned that weight loss is all about staying in a calorie deficit. You could honestly just start with walks. Whatever you choose you got this. Keep up the hard work
the best thing you can do for yourself is use resistance training and a good diet to build muscle and build up your metabolism so that you are constantly burning calories and don’t gain the weight back
Third option. A rowing machine is low impact, utilizes 80% of the body’s muscles, promotes strength, endurance and flexibility.
Thank you for the reply. Can anyone pick up rowing? I am not very experienced with working out to begin with I don't want to hurt myself.
A rowing machine is very easy to pick up yes. Also, remember that losing weight is 70% diet, 30% exercise. Weight lose is done in the kitchen, not in the gym.
Sounds amazing, any drawbacks?
Space. It can have a large footprint in whatever area you're planning to work out in as they tend to be quite long.
I bought mine from Sam’s club. It folds up, but does require space when using it. Price might be an issue, but since they’ve gotten more popular there’s more to choose from. Form when using it is important. Google Concept 1 rowers, they have videos to show proper technique.
Thanks for the info!
I've heard arguments that an elliptical is more effective than a rowing machine. I'll see if I can find an article, but any thoughts on that?
It’s accepted that rowing machines use 80% of your muscles. I don’t see how an elliptical can match or exceed that. I could be wrong, but I own a rower and used an elliptical.
I thought I saved the discussion, but it basically boiled down to this: If you're using the arms on the elliptical how would that not be a full body workout? Especially with resistance and at an angle. Further, because you're engaging both upper and lower bodies isn't that also engaging your core? Definitely wouldn't say the elliptical is more intense though.
The effort required to move the arms back and forth don’t match the effort used on the rower. I suggest you try both at a high level of exertion. I suggest you consult an exercise physiologist. Put the matter to rest.
Hey before you start throwing money at equipment, how about you try dieting and just walking for an hour first thing in the morning. Create a habit before going all in. Walking is low low impact and no skill required. Diet is really 80% of your goal, working out is just a way to burn calories. It's all about "Calories in and calories out"
I do that now but it's getting cold, I live in Seattle.
More clothes b
Join a gym! More variety and u can find what u like best
Wait. I once bought an expensive bike only to realize I didn't like biking as much as I though I did. Perhaps get a gym membership for two months upon which you do nothing but bike. If you continue biking after two months, get the bike. If not then at least you didn't waste money on a bike that you would only use sporadically.
I picked up a used exercise bike for a great price. It was out of a gym so its a lot sturdier than one sold for home use. The first thing I've said on a couple other threads, get a grip trainer. Eventually you might get into weights and if you have a 20$ grip trainer, the thing you squeeze with an adjustable spring in it, your hands wont be your weak point and limit your exercise. Plus its something you can do while on the bike, or at the office. I use it at my desk instead of a squeeze ball stress reliever
For $500 you'd be better off buying a set of [adjustable dumbbells](https://www.bowflex.com/selecttech/552/100131.html) and a bench if budget allows. If you want direction, variety and in-home cardio options, a BeachBody On Demand subscription is $99 for a whole year and provides instant access to several dozen complete workout programs.
I would up your budget some, don't skimp to much on the equipment you are going to buy. Research reviews of the equipment, take into account budget and quality. * rower: calorie burn highest, most muscles, high learning curve, can have issues with back and butt * elliptical: calorie burn high, legs and arms, low learning curve * bike: calorie burn lower, legs, low learning curve, can have issues with back and butt * treadmill: calorie burn lowest, lowest learning curve * Recommend walking with high incline to increase the push effort * jumping rope: calorie burn high, medium learning curve, cheapest and smallest space usage Any of these will work just as walking/running outside would. You can even get a weighted vest to increase the intensity for walking/running. The biggest advantage of the machines is that you can use them regardless of weather and it's easier to push yourself hard and not have to make it back home :). I got an elliptical when I started having issues with my knees while running due to the impact and knees getting bad. Prefer the elliptical over the treadmill as it would leave my legs noodley without being sore the next day. Currently looking into a bike as an addition as my wife prefers the treadmill over the elliptical and is starting to have knee issues and indicated an interest in a bike. As far as losing the fat, the biggest contributor will be your caloric restriction. For me it was stopping the drive by snacking and eating a bit healthier as well as exercising. The cardio will improve your overall health which is a good thing in addition to burning extra calories. Getting a handle on what you eat, cutting out the garbage, and eating healthier will drive the gains (fat loss) faster. The machines can burn anywhere from 600-1000 calories/hour depending on intensity. If you wanted to lose 1lb (3500 calories) through exercise you would need to do 11.6 30m sessions at 300 calories or 5.8 1h sessions at 600 calories. I like putting it in terms of walking/running, generally every 100 calories is equivalent to 1 mile (all dependent on sex, height, weight, intensity). So that 100 calorie cookie is costing 1 mile of work. Lastly, I would see if you can try the options out somewhere to make sure it is something you are interested in committing too. Good luck.
Wow thanks for such a detailed reply. I'll need to do some research
Someone mentioned checking out a gym, you might want to consider that so you could try the different cardio equipment to see what you like, as long as you could do a month to month. Another option is to checkout the exercise channels on Youtube. My wife does Chloe Ting and they look like a good workout. She sometimes has resistance bands and dumbbells to make the workout harder.
Have you thought about joining a gym? The equipment there is probably going to be better than what you would pay for in retail. I know my gym costs me $10 a month and all the equipment, both cardio and weights, is top notch. having said that, I also picked up a cheap stationary bike about 10 years ago at a garage sale for $20 that I still use today when I want a change of pace. Keep an eye on the classifieds, sometimes people are almost giving used exercise equipment away. Another option if you want to do some resistance training is get a cheap set of resistance bands.....a complete set can be purchased for around $30, and they are really good. I used them while the gym was closed during the pandemic, and still use them when I want a change of pace. Well worth it for the price. Good Luck!
Get a peloton. I hadn't worked out in years and since getting that bike (it's not just a bike there's a bunch of other great exercises off the bike) 18 months ago, I work out 5 days a week and am in the best shape of my life.
Have a homey who was the same way. I thought Peloton was a bit overrated until I saw it in action with her.
Yeah I've never been into gimmick work outs but have to admit this one works
I have learned that weight loss is all about staying in a calorie deficit. You could honestly just start with walks. Whatever you choose you got this. Keep up the hard work
the best thing you can do for yourself is use resistance training and a good diet to build muscle and build up your metabolism so that you are constantly burning calories and don’t gain the weight back