Two exercise machines are popular among fitness enthusiasts and experts when it comes to losing weight and getting in shape – rowing machines and biking.
Both can be great options, depending on what you need, but they also have their differences, which could make one better than the other depending on your goals.
Here’s how rowing machines and bikes stack up against each other when it comes to burning calories, improving cardiovascular health, and enhancing endurance, so Rowing vs. Biking: Which Is the Better Workout? and which option will work best for you.
Pros and Cons of Working Out on a Rowing Machine
The good news about rowing is that it works for multiple muscle groups. That means you can use a rowing machine to either build muscle or lose weight.
Studies have found, however, that a rower is generally easier on your joints than a stationary bike.
In addition, because rowing uses all major muscle groups at once (including chest and arms), it's often thought of as one of the best full-body workouts around.
So if you're looking for an effective way to burn calories and work for multiple muscle groups at once, consider adding a rower to your home gym today!
A major downside of a rowing machine is that it can be difficult to use properly.
Beginners can have trouble getting started with a rower, and those with lower-body injuries may find it uncomfortable to perform certain exercises too.
The Benefits of Exercising on a Rowing Machine
If you’re looking to get a weight loss plan going, exercise is key. However, certain exercises can be better than others depending on your fitness goals.
For example, if you’re hoping to lose weight and tone up with little equipment or experience, rowing machines may be a great option for you.
Exercise on a rowing machine has many benefits beyond weight loss—but it works wonders for those hoping to shed some pounds as well.
Here are just two of the many reasons why rowing may be better than biking when it comes to losing weight:
The rowing machine builds lean muscle
A rowing machine is also a terrific way to build lean muscle? For some, adding muscle mass might sound like an oxymoron.
After all, building muscle is typically associated with bodybuilding or gaining weight—not shedding it. However, adding just a few pounds of lean muscle can help in reducing overall body fat percentages significantly.
Increasing your lean muscle mass helps you burn calories even while you sleep!
Rowing speeds up your metabolism
Because rowing increases your muscle endurance, your metabolism gets a boost for up to 36 hours after you finish exercising.
What’s more, When you Row, your muscles work harder against gravity, and your body release more catecholamines—the hormones that fire up an area of your brain called β-adrenergic receptors—the ones responsible for burning energy and increasing fat loss.
Your body's response to a good workout can help you fight belly fat!
Benefits of Exercising on a Bike
The biggest benefit of biking is that it’s super convenient. In cities, a simple bike ride can take you from home to work and back again with minimal impact on your schedule.
And if you prefer working out at home, buying a bike for exercise is also cheaper than most gym memberships.
You can take a look at this highly-rated stationary bike on Amazon. Alternatively, if you're planning on using a bike to cycle to work or other places, you can also get a high-quality bike on Amazon here.
Just make sure that the bike is lightweight so you don't have to drag it up hills when your legs give out.
Most importantly, biking provides many of the same benefits as rowing: increased cardiovascular strength and endurance.
But if you’re looking to burn fat or improve weight loss, rowing may be a better option than biking—as long as you’re following an effective workout plan that addresses your body type and goals.
Are There Any Other Benefits To Using A Bike Versus A Row Machine?
Anyone who has ever used a rowing machine knows that they can be extremely efficient when it comes to losing weight.
This type of exercise burns calories fast, which is why they are often suggested as part of a weight-loss plan. However, studies have shown that people who use bikes burn more calories than those who use row machines.
For instance, users of indoor stationary bikes were found to burn about an average of 480 calories in an hour, while rowers only burned about 440 calories on average.
Riding a bike is better than using a rowing machine burning calories but rowers exercise almost your full body and build lean muscles all around which may be more beneficial in the long term.
Other Things to Consider When Choosing Between Exercise Machines
If you have a busy schedule and don’t want to spend hours on end at a gym, consider low-impact exercises like swimming or yoga.
Swimming and yoga both use almost every muscle in your body, burn calories quickly, and improve flexibility.
Swimming is especially good for weight loss since you will be able to burn upwards of 300 calories an hour without putting too much stress on your joints. If you live near water, it might also be worth considering swimming compared to cycling or rowing machine.
How long should I exercise daily?
Many people wonder if they should exercise daily, or just a few times a week. The answer depends on your goals and what you’re looking to achieve.
If your goal is to lose weight, most experts agree that exercising daily is best for maximum results. Exercise can also help you sleep better and live longer—and requires very little extra time in your day.
Just make sure to get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity weekly (or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity), as well as muscle-strengthening activities at least two days a week.
The verdict: Rowing machine vs biking for weight loss
Both rowing machines and a bike are great for building endurance and lean muscle mass. However, a rowing machine targets more muscle groups than a bike. This makes sit a better machine for both endurance, weight loss, and lean muscle mass.
On the other hand, It's also a matter of work and convenience. For most people, biking is more convenient than rowing.
But that doesn't mean it's necessarily better for weight loss, according to an exercise physiologist from the American Council on Exercise (ACE).
If you're going to put in an hour on an exercise machine, it might as well be something you enjoy doing and something that might help your fitness, says Dr. Michael H. Stone, associate professor of kinesiology at San Diego State University.