We all want a healthy body. But the definition of a healthy body might be different to different people. For some, it might mean a slim and lean body. Others might want a muscular figure.
Whether you want to burn fat or build muscles, a rowing machine will help you achieve it. It is one of the most useful full-body workout equipment that you can use to get your desired body shape.
In this article, we will take a look at how a rowing machine can help you burn fat or build muscles effectively.
Does A Rowing Machine Burn Fat?
Using a rowing machine might be one of the most effective ways to lose weight fast for overweight people. However, you must accompany it with the proper diet for the best results.
Since rowing is an aerobic exercise, you will be able to burn fat quite efficiently with a rowing machine.
On average, rowing for an hour burns around 600 to 800 calories. Keep in mind, though; there are many other factors that come into play when you want to burn calories.
Your diet, training intensity, workout time period, your bodyweight all play a part in burning fat efficiently.
Can You Get Ripped Using A Rowing Machine?
If you already have a good physique and want to tone it further, a rowing machine is an excellent tool.
Since it uses all of your major muscle sections, it offers an excellent way to get ripped. Besides shaping up your muscles, it can also enhance your stamina and endurance, allowing you to take part in more intense training.
Can A Rowing Machine Help You Build Muscle?
Yes, in addition to making a ripped body and burning fat, building muscle mass is another field where a rowing machine shines. Whether you want to build muscles in the lower body, upper body, or even strengthen up your core, a rowing machine can be a good tool to have.
During the drive stage of rowing, your lower body is most active. So, the muscles in your glutes, hamstrings, and quads get activated, which can accelerate muscle growth in those regions.
When you are pulling the rower towards your chest, the upper body gets activated. This affects the muscles in your arms, chest, and shoulders.
With proper stance and rowing technique, your back muscles also strengthen. In addition, you can use it to easily build muscle mass in your biceps, triceps, Erector Spinae, deltoids, and other major sections of your body.
How Long Should You Use A Rowing Machine To Build Muscle?
Solely relying on your rowing machine to get a toned body is not exactly realistic. Instead, you need to control your calorie intake and make sure your body burns enough calories to impact your physique positively.
Is Diet Important For Burning Fat Or Building Muscle?
Yes, diet is a very important consideration when you are planning to build muscle mass and get in shape. But what should your diet consist of?
More importantly, is the diet the same for both fat burning and muscle building? Well, no. You need different diets depending on what you are trying to achieve.
In the following section, we will give you a proper guideline on what your diet should consist of, whether you are planning to build muscle or burn calories.
The Right Diet for Building Muscle
When you are planning to build muscle, you need to increase the protein intake in your food. High-protein foods are always recommended for gaining muscle mass.
In addition to that, you also want to take foods that contain plenty of vitamins, most importantly, vitamin B.
Here are some of the foods that can help accelerate muscle growth:
Eggs: Every gym trainer will recommend eating eggs because of their high-quality protein. It also contains plenty of healthy fats to give you that much-needed energy boost.
Salmon: Salmon is a healthy food that contains plenty of protein and vitamin B. Your diet should always contain a healthy serving of salmon for the best muscle growth.
Greek Yogurt: Dairy products, in general, are quite rich in protein. With some Greek yogurt every now and then, your bowel movements will also improve.
Chicken Breast: Chicken breasts, like eggs, are considered a vital part of any diet. This protein-rich food also contains an excellent amount of vitamin B that can enhance your physical fitness.
Tuna: Tuna is another fish food that you want to add to your diet because of its protein-rich nature and generous amounts of omega-3 fatty acid.
Shrimp: Not only does shrimp taste good, but it also contains the highest amount of protein. It also contains the amino acid leucine, which can improve muscle growth.
Peanuts: Peanuts contain high amounts of protein, carbs, and fat. The carb will help you get more energy for an intense workout.
The Right Diet for Burning Fat
There are many different diets for burning fat out there. However, since you will be working out on a rowing machine, you need to be careful which one you go with.
For instance, if you are planning to go on fasting every few days for dietary reasons, you will not have enough energy to work out properly.
That is why we recommend going on a low-carb diet. This would ensure you have enough strength to work out burning the excessive carbs and calories from your diet.
A low-carb diet basically controls your carbohydrate intake and supplements your body with protein and healthy fats instead.
As a result, your metabolism will increase, and you will be able to develop a healthy muscle mass while losing any excess body weight.
Does A Rowing Machine Build Chest Muscles?
Yes, a rowing machine also helps in building chest muscles, though it might not be as efficient as building muscles in your arms or legs.
During the pulling phase of rowing, you activate your chest muscles. But if chest muscle is your primary goal, you should focus on other forms of workout more.
Does A Rowing Machine Offer Any Other Benefits?
In addition to building muscles or burning fats, a rowing machine also has some psychological benefits. Some claim that it is a great way to reduce stress and freshen up your mind.
Since it is a low-impact workout, it can also be quite fun, even if you do not ramp up your training intensity. Research shows that using a rowing machine can drastically improve your mental health and boost your self-esteem.
To know what rowing machine can do more, lets check out rowingly.com where our fitness expert explained different ways or methods of rowing workouts.
If you are suffering from stress or depression, spending a couple of minutes on your rowing machine is a great way to enhance your psychological state.
It also improves your stamina and endurance. With regular rowing, your lungs can perform better. This will, in turn, help you partake in more intense training and help you get the body shape you desire. And achieving that will boost your morale and self-confidence further.
Final Thoughts
There are nearly limitless benefits to using a rowing machine. And if you are planning to build muscles and burn body fats, then this can be a great option. We hope our extensive article could answer all your queries and give you a good idea of how you can use a rowing machine to achieve the body shape you want.