Rowing Machine Review



             


Saturday, February 2, 2008

How the Water Rower Works

If you’ve never seen a Water Rower before, prepare yourself for a revelation. The sleek design is so stylish and luxurious that you’ll never again see exercise equipment in quite the same way. The machine itself is a visual symphony of American hardwoods, anodized steel and the smoky, fluid curves of the polycarbonate tank that holds the water. The classic elegant design of the Water Rower fits right into the décor in most homes, like a carefully chosen piece of fine furniture. It’s specifically created for the home gym, and designed to fit into a small space. When it’s not in use, you can simply stand the WaterRower on end, and it takes up less space than a dining room chair. All in all, the Water Rower looks far more like an elegant, up-scale sculpture than a serious piece of fitness equipment.

Make no mistake, though. A serious piece of fitness equipment is exactly what it is. The Water Rower was designed by rowers for rowers, and that shows in everything from the tiniest details (like the non-slip grip on the aluminum oar) to the patented water paddle mechanism that makes the Water Rower the closest possible experience to rowing on the water. That makes possible a smooth, flawless rowing motion that exercises all of your large muscle groups at once – without putting undue stress on joints and bones. It’s stylish, timeless, elegant – and the best aerobic workout that you can find anywhere.

Short History of the Water Rower

Rowing machines have been around for well over 100 years. One of the earliest patents for a rowing machine was filed with the U.S. Patent Office in 1872, and when the YMCA decided to add gymnasiums to their facilities, indoor rowing machines were among the first exercise machines introduced. Those machines were nothing like the Water Rower, though. The old-fashioned rowing machine consisted of a seat that rode on a pair of rails as the rower pulled on ‘oars’ and pushed with his legs.

Since one of the key elements of the exercise in rowing is the drag on the oars as they pull through the water, older rowers used bands attached to the seat to mimic the water’s resistance. If you wanted a harder workout, you used stronger bands with more resistance. The first major design innovation to the rowing machine was the ergonomic rower, which replaced those bands with a flywheel that used air to mimic water resistance. Since 1981, when the ergonomic rower was introduced, people have used air, bands, chains, pulleys and even magnets to make rowing a rowing machine feel like rowing a boat. It wasn’t until 1988 that John Duke, a member of the U.S. National Team in rowing and a naval architect, patented his unique WaterFlyWheel design. The WaterFlyWheel is the heart of the Water Rower’s unparalleled rowing experience.

Why the WaterFlyWheel Makes the Water Rower Unique

One of the beauties of rowing as an exercise is that the harder you row, the more resistance there is against your oars. The more resistance there is, the stronger your workout. Most rowing machines use some mechanism to simulate that resistance. The most popular and well-known is the Concept 2, which uses a flywheel spinning in the air. It’s noisy, and the resistance needs to be manually set to change the level of your workout. Because the resistance is artificially set – or imposed – you run the risk of straining muscles by trying for a workout that’s beyond the limit of your capability.

Not so with a Water Rower. Because the resistance in the rower is provided by water, it works the exact same way that water does – makes sense, doesn’t it? Here’s how it works:

At the front end of the Water Rower is a tank of water. When you row the machine, you’re turning a paddle wheel inside the tank. The paddle wheel’s turning makes the water in the tank spin. The harder you row, the faster the water spins. The faster the water spins, the more resistance there is. The more resistance there is, the more you get from your workout. To get a more powerful workout, all you have to do is work harder.

Because the resistance is geared to your ability, it increases naturally as your own strength and abilities increase. There’s far less risk of overstraining yourself by setting the resistance higher than your body is ready to handle because the resistance is self-regulating. You never risk working your body harder than it is ready to work.

Filling the Water Rower

The first time you use your WaterRower, you need to fill the water tank with water. The manufacturer suggests that you use plain, ordinary tap water to fill the tank, because it contains chemicals that inhibit the growth of algae. After the tank is filled, the only maintenance it will need is an occasional chlorine tablet added (every 6 months to 2 years, depending on the amount of sunlight on the water tank.)

The amount of water that you put into the tank determines how hard a workout you’ll get. The suggested amounts are:

Children: 12-14 liters
Women: 14-16 liters
Men: 16-18 liters

There’s a handy level gauge marked on the side of the tank so that you know how far to fill it for each level of workout.

The Water Rower – As Close As You Can Get To Rowing Without a River

Rowing on a Water Rower is as close as you can get to rowing on the water without being on the water. The ergonomically designed, padded seat glides soundlessly and smoothly on anodized steel runners attached to wooden rails. There’s no clanking or banging, no mechanical sounds to break your concentration on the rhythm of your rowing. Instead of your ears being assaulted by the hum of the flywheel whirring through the air, the only sound you’ll hear is the pleasant, rhythmic rush and whoosh of water. The rhythm, say many rowing enthusiasts, helps keep the pace of your workout steady, and adds to the feeling that you’re gliding along on the open water.

Living with the WaterRower

The WaterRower is designed to fit into any lifestyle, into any style. It comes in three different “series” with several models available in each series. The Natural selection is crafted of solid ash, and stained in either oak, or rose and black. The Designer series is elegantly styled in different materials, including models in black walnut, cherry wood and stainless steel. The M series is designed for the commercial market, and features a low-rise and a high-rise model each designed in brushed stainless steel.

Each model is available with or without the computerized monitor, and there’s an option to add a monitor later if you choose to buy without at first. The monitor does far more than keep an eye on your speed or your heart rate. Through a variety of functions, you can use the S4 monitor (the latest upgrade) to monitor your progress, keep track of your workout statistics, tell you when you’re working at optimum benefit level – even tell you how fast you’re rowing and how many miles your machine has been rowed overall.

The Water Rower gives you all the benefits you’d get from taking a scull out on the river – a full, low-impact aerobic workout that works the arms, chest, back, shoulders, legs, thighs and glutes – all in the comfort of your own workout room. It does it with a machine that’s so well-designed and stylish that it fits into any room style and décor. Beauty, utility and unparalleled quality all rolled into one compact fitness machine. It just doesn’t get much better than this.

Kristopher Gardner is a freelance writer and home exercise enthusiast providing information about indoor rowing machines at http://www.All-Rowing-Machines.com.

Visit the site to see the pro’s and con’s about the WaterRower!

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Water Rower -- Just Like a Cruise Down the River Without Getting Wet

I used to row competitively in my youth, but since then, my rowing exercise had been limited to occasional workouts on an aging hydraulic machine.

I had no idea how much technology had advanced in this area, until I was offered a trial of a new WaterRower exercise machine.

The first obvious difference that I noticed was the use of a flywheel which used paddles to connect to a moving mass of water. Just like rowing on water, the connection was fluid, with none of the jerkiness and jarring typical of other rowing machines.

The WaterRower’s flywheel has been designed to emulate the dynamics of a boat moving through water. When rowing, the workout is generated by overcoming the effect of drag as the boat moves through the water… So with the Water Flywheel the workout is generated by overcoming the effect of drag as the water moves past the tank.

Many rowing machines imitate the action of rowing, but they do so mechanically and often lack the natural dynamics experienced when a boat and crew glide down a river. When a crew row down a river they work to overcome the effect of drag which acts against the hull of the boat. The faster the boat is propelled the greater the drag and the harder the crew must work.

The flywheel reproduces these same natural dynamics.

Like other naturally performed aerobic pursuits such as swimming, running and cycling, to increase your intensity you don’t increase resistance, you simply swim, run, cycle or row harder. The faster you go the higher your intensity.

When each crew member on a boat pulls a stroke, he or she works to accelerate the mass of the boat and crew. The effort is applied evenly throughout the whole stroke, utilizing the muscles of the legs, torso and upper body in unison, exercising the whole body uniformly.

Similarly, the rowers flywheel responds to the work applied, allowing constant effort through the whole stroke. This is unlike resistance based machines where effort is high at the beginning of the stroke and fades as the resistance is overcome.

My old hydraulic rower replicates the rowing action mechanically. This harsh action (as most rowing machine users will be aware) creates a mechanical fatigue, generating soreness and aching which are not experienced when actually rowing on water. The WaterRower replicates the action naturally, and hence is free from this mechanical fatigue.

This makes the exercise as pleasant as a row down the river. When rowing, an oarsperson works to overcome the effect of drag acting on the boat. The faster the boat moves, the more drag is created the harder the oarsperson must work to maintain that speed. The limit to how much work can be done is the oarsperson, their physiology, their ability to do work. The WaterRower’s flywheel replicates this self paced dynamic.

Ask most fitness equipment users to work harder and they will immediately reach for the knob or button designed to increase resistance. Naturally performed aerobic exercises such as rowing, swimming, running and cycling dont have knobs to turn or a buttons to push, so how do you work harder?

In naturally performed aerobic exercises you increase or decrease your exercise intensity simply by going faster or slower. You do not increase an imposed resistance on yourself, you simply choose the intensity at which you wish to exercise and go at a speed which relates to that intensity.

The equipment seemed to exercise all muscles evenly, and even a brief workout should burn calories and tone your body whether you are young or old, fit or unfit, ( like me!)

Just like a cruise down the river and I did not even get wet!

Tony Wilton writes regularly on health and fitness issues at his site http://www.fitness-health-beauty.com

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Thursday, January 31, 2008

Throwing Light On Espresso Coffee Machines - Appliances That Brew Fine Espresso Beverages

A wonderful traditional Italian concentrated coffee beverage is espresso. This is brewed by forcing hot water (195 degree Fahrenheit) at high pressure (90 bars) through special coffee ground to a consistency between extremely fine and powder. The appliances that are used to prepare the beverages are the espresso machines. The knowledge and efficiency in making the finest espressos is considered as a craft and the baristas who are adept in using the espresso machines professionally are regarded as skilled craftsmen in this light.

Specially designed espresso coffee machine types offered The range of espresso coffee machines on offer now include the automatic, super automatic and home espresso makers catering to various needs and budgets. It needs to be remembered that the making of espresso depends to a great extent on the barista or person making the espresso. The espresso coffee machine, is but a machine that lies at the behest and disposal of the barista.

Espresso coffee makers can be purchased as models designed for use in the home or for serving at commercial settings. There are a whole lot of models on offer to choose from.

The following are the types of espresso coffee machines coming up over a period of time that can be conveniently chosen from:

  • The manual espresso machines: These are regarded as the hardest espresso machine type to use and require a certain amount of skill in handling. However, upon mastering the skill great cupfuls of espresso drinks can be provided using these.
  • The semi automatic espresso machines: These make use of a pump that does away with using hands and manually operating. Quick making of the espresso drink is what it provides.
  • The fully automatic espresso machines: This is a recent introduction and is a hands free device. Professional delivery is what it promises because of which esteemed coffee houses and cafes make of it. The fully automatic machines get cut off with no help required upon the right amount of espresso passing through.
  • The super automatic espresso machines: Unlike all the other espresso machines aforementioned that require taking charge of the espresso extraction the super automatic versions of espresso machines seeks to take control over the entire process all by itself. The user need only press a button and every necessary thing is programmed and set. The perfect cup is what is got requiring little attention and work on the part of the user. These have become popular in recent times and the trend of rise in popularity is expected to continue.
Espresso machines often come accompanied with a steam wand. This comes of special use in steaming and frothing milk that is required for preparing milk based espresso drinks like lattes and cappuccinos. Choosing from among available espresso machine models judiciously The espresso coffee machines that will particularly suit your purpose needs to be checked out depending on what level of convenience you are on the lookout for. The extent to which you wish to become involved in the espresso preparation process will help ascertain the perfect espresso coffee machine for you. Costs are important too. Often the more sophisticated machines are large and costly. So, finally, it is based on your budgetary constraints and space availability considerations that you will be choosing an espresso coffee machine from the variety on offer. Esteemed automatic espresso coffee machines of the day include Delonghi espresso machines and La Pavoni espresso machines. The Delonghi espresso machines are acclaimed for their quality construction and attractive styling. These produce delicious authentic espresso, cappuccino and latte beverages. A wide range of Delonghi coffee makers are on offer including affordable yet functional models and super automatic models going from bean to cup at the touch of a button. The models of Gaggia Carezza that feature Italian designs are among the choicest espresso machines too. These espresso coffee machines not only have better functionalities but also look elegant and appealing with their Italian designs and makes. They can serve as an adornment for the kitchen corner. Searching on the Internet can be a wonderful way to get started on the quest for the right espresso coffee machine for you. You may also conduct the search so as to secure results of coffee espresso maker models that meet your desired specifications and budget.

Premier beverages secured using premium espresso machines Perfectly brewed espresso as prepared by special espresso machines of the day consists of three major parts, namely, the heart, the body and the crema. The crema of espresso is its most distinguishing feature. This is the reddish-brown foam floating on the surface of the espresso drink. It is the high pressure brewing procedure that leads to all the flavors and chemicals in a cup of espresso coffee becoming concentrated. It is these intense and highly concentrated ingredients that render coffee espresso to be easily mixed into other coffee based beverages. The coffee espresso lends itself to be easily mixed with latte, cappuccino, mocha, while not becoming too diluted in the coffee drink that is produced as a result on mixing.

There are different types of espresso machines that are available today. While venturing towards purchasing an espresso machine of choice the important thing is to decide upon is the extent of control that one wishes to exert over the coffee brewing process. Often the extent of control over the brewing process that is offered involving superior functionalities becomes directly proportional to the difficulty in operating i.e. increase in operational complexity. The differences in the various espresso machines of the day ought to be understood in order to make a worthy purchasing choice.

The special espresso coffee machines of the day are also capable of producing the special cappuccino, latte and ordinary coffee drinks. These special coffee makers deliver rich and nearly syrupy espresso beverage as there is extraction and emulsifying of oils found in ground coffee. With usage of the superior espresso machines the ideal double shot of espresso should be taking only between 25 to 30 seconds to make ready the espresso drink from the time the pump of the coffee maker is turned on.

Dene Lingard is the owner of Target Net Publishing.

Tania Ray of Content Genie writes most of the content for the many information rich websites that he publishes. This latest article was written with an interest in coffee and coffee makers in general. http://www.finest-coffee-makers.com

You are very welcome to take this article and place it on your site as long as you leave the resource box and all links intact. Thank you!

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Rowing Machines As An Alternate Exercise Equipment - Featuring Stamina Ats 1400 Air Rower

Ever since I got into sports I have always been looking for exercise equipments that I could use inside my room. There were days when I found it impossible to do road work exercises outside due to weather swings. I went around shopping in fitness stores and found out that rowing machines are one of the most popular exercise alternatives. It is a system that works different areas of the body. Its unique setup creates resistance to different muscle groups, both in the lower and upper body. This provided a great alternative to muscle strengthening and conditioning. Rowing machines are well known for its efficiency in improving back and shoulder muscles. However, they do also provide a great work out to the thighs, calves and gluteus maximus. There are various rowing machine techniques that can be followed in order to achieve different levels of muscle growth in different areas of the body. Certain types of positioning, repetition, and set managements can all be applied to enhance the conditioning and strengthening of certain muscle areas. What I was looking for was a flexible equipment that can allow users to exercise different types of rowing machine techniques

The Search Continues
With this knowledge in mind, I shopped around looking for the best rowing machine that fit my needs. I run everyday and lift weights on a regular 3 day a week basis and so when rain is pouring hard or if the snow is unbearable, a certain type of exercise equipment should be able to provide the same results as my everyday workout. That was what I was looking for. Something that I could bring inside my room and make me sweat and work similar to the way the open field and road does.

Short Description of Stamina ATS 1400 Air Rower
I was looking for something special and just as I expected it, the cost was unforgiving. I looked around so more, checking rowing machine ratings, reviews, and comparisons in order to find the best rowing machine there is that would fit my budget. I found attractive products but the best rowing machine that was available at the time was the Stamina ATS 1400 Air Rower. Its price ranged from 300-400US$ and its benefits were attractive. Some of its benefits were included in the product which had features such as multi-function monitors, molded seat that ensures comfort, wheels for portability, easy storage, and strong and efficient wind resistance. It is constructed through steel which makes the product very durable and therefore much more attractive. Its user ratings and reviews were high and it was voted most efficient rowing machine of the year. Having a rowing machine comparison on this price budget would be senseless as nothing would beat the Stamina ATS 1400 Air Rower in terms of price and product quality.

The Leading Rower Machine - Stamina ATS 1400 Air Rower
I have previously tried my friends? rowers which were supposed to be of higher quality as stated in early rowing machine reviews and ratings. What is surprising is the difference in user friendliness and efficiency of the product. I reviewed the online ratings and user reviews of those products online and found out that many of the users rated the products high in the beginning but after a few months realized the problems such as missing wheels which makes it harder to move around, quick deterioration of mechanical parts, and safety hazards in the way the products are designed. Due to my findings and experiences with the Stamina ATS 1400 Air Rower, I am 100% convinced that I have gotten way more than what I paid for in purchasing the product. It is one of the best deals in the market and I am a 100% satisfied customer.

Samantha Clark heads consumer reviews at http://www.dealsdepot.com.au. One of the web's most popular Online Shopping sites.

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Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Not Sure Which Rowing Machine Too Purchase

The Rowing machine is used to simulate the action of watercraft rowing; they not only work the major muscle groups, but provide excellent cardiovascular exercise. Rowing machines are so popular because they:

? offer low impact exercise.
? are suitable for almost all ages and abilities.
? can be used for endurance and sprint training.
? have low maintenance, keeping costs down.
? are small in size, with some models able to store upright.
? are an effective tool for fat loss.
? generally do not require a power source.

I have outlined a few essential tips to bear in mind when purchasing a rowing machine.

What is your budget?

Rowing machines vary in price enormously depending on the features and design. A high end rowing machine can cost upwards of ?1000, although not everyone can or wants to spend ?1000 on a rowing machine! As with most exercise equipment you get what you pay for, basic rowing machines start from ?299. Many of the rowing machines sold nowadays have features found on commercial models, and all are built to last for years. Generally with more expensive rowing machines, you will find more stable, robust machines, manufactured from the highest grade materials.

How much space do you have?

When purchasing a rowing machine it is always best to measure the space in which you intend the rowing machine to live, you do not want to find that it does not fit in your desired space once it has been delivered! Mot websites display all the dimensions of the equipment they sell on the product details page

Always check what warranty comes with the rowing machine?

Most of the rowing machines sold nowadays come with a minimum 1 year parts and 1 year labour warranty, and often longer. I would recommend looking for a branded model which has an on-site warranty. You do not want to have a rowing machine which you are liable to send back to the supplier if it has a fault.

What are programmes and how do they benefit me?

Many of the rowing machines sold nowadays come with variable and interval programmes, including heart rate controlled programmes (when using the heart rate strap). In the case of the Tunturi models, these can be controlled from the handlebar. Having more programmes is often a necessary aid to keep your commitment to your goals?

How is the resistance level adjustable?

With many cheaper rowing machines, the resistance is provided by an electro-magnet, whilst these provide excellent training, machines using air or water resistance (such as the WaterRower range) will provide a smoother action. Many experienced rowers find the action of the WaterRower the closest to boat rowing. Although the electro magnetic resistance rowing machines do have a different action, they often benefit from features such as being foldable and can sometimes be used for strength training.

I hope this rowing machine purchase guide has been helpful and if you?re looking for an rowing machine then please visit http://www.exerciseequipment.co.uk

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Monday, January 28, 2008

You Get A Full Body Workout And A Toned Torso With A Rowing Machine

One of the most complete cardiovascular exercises around has to be rowing. A proper workout on a rowing machine will tone all of the major muscle groups such as your legs, back and arms. The beauty of using a concept 2 rowing machine is first of all it doesn't involve water.

This rower doesn't get you wet, there are no early morning trips to get your machine out of the boat shed. No cold changing rooms and gale force winds for your training session. And there is definately no need to find the nearest river to row your machine on. All you have to do is set it up in an adequately spacious area and away you go.

There are lots of different machines available on the market. Although they generally fall into 2 categories:

-Water rowers -Air rowers

The water rower, which contrary to their namesake, do not end up in you getting wet after a vigorous workout. The machines are very beautifully designed and use enclosed water and paddles for resistance as opposed to air. These rowers tend to be quieter than air rowers and are just as much works of art as they are exercise machines.

Then we have the concept 2 air rower. There are many other brands available but this piece of machinery is commonly accepted to be one of the best, if not the best. They are engineering masterpieces and are all calibrated to the same standard. So, if you do a certain time on a concept 2 rower, you can rest assured that, that time will be replicated exactly on another concept 2 machine. This is the reason why the world indoor rowing championships use the concept 2.

The information that the display monitors show on the concept 2 is extensive, with the new monitors even being able to be plugged into a PC, so you can race with other rowers from all around the world.

Shopping online for a bargain rower is easier than ever. Take the hassle out of dragging your feet around the mall, put your feet up, pour your favourite drink and browse through our links and see what offers we have available.

Vanessa Cane is A Freelance Writer For 1st-For-Exercise-Equipment.com. You Can Find Lots Of Useful Information About All Kinds Of Exercise Equipment, Including Treadmills And Elliptical Machines.

Vanessa Cane is A Freelance Writer For 1st-For-Exercise-Equipment.com. You Can Find Lots Of Useful Information About All Kinds Of Exercise Equipment, Including Treadmills

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Friday, January 25, 2008

Do's And Don'ts Of Using Rowing Machines In Your Workout

When you begin using rowing machines in your workout you will naturally be excited to use the equipment and want to begin exercising on it as soon as possible. Though you should be aware of many of the exercise routine do's and don'ts.

When you begin working out do so moderately. Don't use a tension setting at first. Just get used to the machine and the way it works. You can add tension to the rowing machines setting later on but for starters see how the rowing machine feels.

Do not exercise too much. As mentioned previously don't add to the tension setting until you are used to the machine. When you are regularly exercising, vary your workout routine between heavy and light settings and fast and slow rowing. Also make sure that you give yourself at least twenty four hours between workouts so that your muscles have time to recover.

Make sure that you are doing warm-up and cool-down exercises. These are stretches designed to loosen up your muscles and work out the kinks that may develop during the workout routine. The warm-up exercises will make you more limber too and prevent possible sprains.

If you do manage to injure yourself on the rowing machines don't try to push through it. When you feel pain that is a signal from your body telling you that something is wrong. Its not a good idea to keep pushing yourself when working out on rowing machines. Especially as back injuries tend to be the most common injury from this type of machine. So stop and relax to keep a small injury from turning into a big one. If your pain doesn't go away in a few days make an appointment to see the doctor.

Also remember to stay properly hydrated. Rowing machines can give you a lot of calorie burn but it can also make you dehydrated. Don't forget to check out rowing machines reviews online for more information.

Read more rowing machines articles and rowing machines reviews news or visit our rowing machines site.

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