So, the last year or so for me has been rough. I've been on the road for 5 hours a day three days a week, and when I'm not on the road, I'm still working 12 hour days. I was unable to go to the gym, and now that my load is about to lighten, I need to get back in shape. Trying to put together a mini home gym for work from home days/second workouts. Also for my wife. Gonna start with a Tonal, but I want something for cardio supplementation. I just want to hear some thoughts on rowers versus treadmills. I'm kind of leaning tower, but want to know what is up as far as Clutchfans' thoughts.
It's something I looked into heavily before the new year. I have a treadmill, mainly bought it for the wife so she could exercise out of the heat. I was never a big fan of running, but I'd use it for periods at a time regularly until the impact would make my knees sore. I'd alternate between treadmill days and lifting weights (had a bench and adjustable dumbbells). While it was great to build up stamina, I wanted a workout that would do both with relatively shorter time, since having a kid and work is busy enough. I ended up getting a rower for that purpose, a Concept 2. I did workouts every other day for a few months and felt like it was fitting my needs. I don't think it was gonna get me swoll but would tone my strength while improving my stamina and getting into shape. With a rower, definitely watch some instructional videos on proper form. There's a higher learning curve with the rower, but it's a great workout. We're getting rid of our treadmill soon since my wife doesn't use it anymore.
Treadmills are great for hanging clothes on. Rowers are good for making your back sore. +1 on learning proper form.
I would take a good rower over a treadmill any day. I absolutely hate running...or rather my knees absolutely hate running. I got a water rower a few years back and I use it a lot more than I thought I would when I bought it. I know a concept 2 can get you a better workout in theory due to more precise resistance control, but I enjoy the feel and the sound of a water rower.
Easily the best fitness equipment I’ve ever bought has been a stupid Apple Watch (and some slightly aggressive goals for an old fat guy).
As an old with knees careening towards uselessness, it's tough to run much less row. I like the treadmill for walking relatively fast. Add in a few weights and I'm heading towards my 70s in decent shape for a fat guy with a lot of wear and tear.
1000% a rowing machine. Not only will you get your cardio, it's a whole-body workout. And as others have mentioned, it's not as much wear on your knees.
This is highly dependent on what else you do. The right answer is the one you would actually use since both are great. Walking is an incredible cardio tool and a treadmill on a slight incline is great when it’s 98 degrees outside. I don’t like running so I’ll use an airdyne or rower for my one high intensity workout weekly. So for me it’d get used maybe 20 minutes a week. I spend much more time doing lower intensity cardio so I’d pick the treadmill or a bike where I can just zone out and listen to a podcast.
My knees pop on rowers, or have when I've tried in recent years. I much prefer a treadmill, or, better yet, a stair climber or Jacob's Ladder when I really want to sweat.
