These days there is a myriad of choices available when it comes to home exercise equipment – treadmills are still an old favourite as are stationery bicycles, while stair climbers, steppers and orbital machines seemed to have gained in popularity. One piece of exercise equipment that never seems to rate a mention is the fitness rower, and given the many benefits that they provide it is hard to comprehend just why they aren't more popular.

Unlike most other exercises performed on home equipment, rowing uses all the major muscle groups: legs, arms, back, abdominal, and buttocks, in much the same way that swimming does. Although the legs provide most of the power in the rowing stroke, the upper body provides the remainder through the arms, shoulders, back and even the abdominals. In fact, rowing is one of the few aerobic exercises or activities that can actually help strengthen your back. Rowing will also help tone up your thighs and buttocks, while firming up your arms and your back muscles.

Rowing also puts your muscles through a much wider range of motion than most other exercises, thereby improving and maintaining the flexibility around some of your major joints. This also tends to make the exercise more enjoyable and satisfying as you feel a distinct sense of motion.

Rowing is also a great calorie burner, in fact, recent studies have shown that rowing burns calories faster than biking, at the same perceived level of exertion. In other words, it feels much easier to burn the same calories while rowing than while biking.

This makes rowing very time efficient, as it doesn't take as long to get a great workout that offers just about everything.

Rowing is a very smooth, rhythmic motion that helps your body easily “switch” into the fat burning zone, is impact free and non-weight bearing, which means that it is much easier on your joints than jogging, running and rope jumping.

Rowing is also an exercise that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, from kids right through to grandparents.

With so many different fitness rowers or rowing machines available on the market today, it can be very challenging to find the best rower to suit your individual requirements and budget. Here are some features to consider:

Most fitness rowers available use air or magnets as a means of resistance, with magnetic resistance being quieter, smoother and better (a combination of both is ideal). Belt Drive Systems rather than chain systems also tend to be smoother and maintenance free.

Good fitness rowers also have a variety of different resistance levels with the more the better. The auto or preset programs vary the magnetic resistance as you train, increasing your endurance, motivation and decreasing your boredom.

A fitness rower with a control panel or digital display that shows heart rate, estimation of calories burned and the distance travelled is a must have, as this feedback allows you to get the most out of your workout. The best fitness rowers with the most comprehensive displays, also tend to be the most expensive ones.

Stationary bikes and the like usually can't be stowed away easily, so the ability to fold and store some rowing machines is a great plus if space is limited. Usually the smaller rowers are able to be folded and stored away, but as more features are added to a rowing machine, the more expensive and larger they become, which then means there is less chance of them being able to be folded.

John has been writing articles on health and fitness for over 3 years now. He has recently re-discovered the joys of the great outdoors, so check out his new website outdoor-electric-grills.org/ which provides guidelines and tips on choosing the best Char Broil Electric Grill

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