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I was looking for the ideal fitness tool and decided on... the rowing machine

9.5.2017

Translation: machine translated

It happens to everyone at some point. Often after the New Year or after other holidays in which you have feasted extensively. You think to yourself: I should do more sport. It's a bit like hitting yourself in the soft parts, but we know that it's the right thing to do, that it's necessary.

I do this about every six months. I think about how I can comply with this dictate of my reason and proceed according to the exclusion procedure: Join another sports club when I already attend one at most once a week? I don't have the time. Fitness centre? Too expensive. Cycling? Too dependent on the weather. It's usually also about the dreary and lazy months. I decide: No, I want to be able to do sport at home. Well, that narrows down the range of options quite a bit. In my case, home means an old flat on the second floor. Ergo: no jumping rope (otherwise I think it's great), no Crossfit (includes frequent jumping), no swimming (no comment).

As demanding as I am, I want the most efficient fitness equipment that trains as many parts of the body as possible. Thanks to a quick web search, I quickly narrowed the choice down to two categories: Cross trainer or rowing machine. Both are easy on the joints, involve the upper and lower body and are effective even in small doses. I look at different representatives of each category, so I think I can decide in the end which is more suitable for me. I won't be buying anything soldered, which means that I can hardly get away with anything under 1000 francs. But quality has its price. Of course, it shouldn't take up too much space, make too much noise or look totally stupid. It comes down to a run-off between two respective representatives. In the running: The Bowflex Max Trainer M3 and the Concept 2 Model D.

I watch a few YouTube videos and find out the advantages of the Bowflex: relatively space-saving, short but intensive workout of 15 minutes possible, but also sweat-inducing from just 3 minutes. And: you can watch TV while doing it. In the videos, predominantly good-looking people use the device and there are numerous testimonials in which people report how they have lost weight with the Bowflex.
Disadvantages: The Bowflex is more of a stepper than a cross trainer and you need a certain level of basic fitness to be able to do more than 5 minutes of training with it.

In comparison, the rowing machine: It gives a realistic rowing feeling, they say. I won't be able to judge that - I've never rowed. It's robust, almost indestructible and can be dismantled into two parts. And: you can watch TV on it. There are also videos on this, albeit with not quite so pretty, but still sporty people, who demonstrate how smooth the movement sequence on the Concept 2 can be.

Drawbacks: It takes up some space when assembled and the optimal rowing movement needs to be practised. If performed incorrectly, the movement can cause pain. The rotor, which is driven by the pulling movement, makes a lot of noise.

Bowflex M3

Dimensions: 117cm x 63.5cm x 160cm

Foldable: No

Weight: 75.48 kg

Price: approx. 1800.-

Resistance level: 8

Accessories: chest strap, display

Concept 2 model 5

Dimensions: 240cm x 61cm x 90cm

Foldable: Yes

Weight: 26 kg

Price: approx. 1000.-

Resistance level: 10

Accessories: Display

I don't know whether I read it somewhere or it's just so logical that it stuck in my mind, but I do know that you should try out a device like this before you buy it. As I've already had the opportunity to sit on a Concept 2 and found it very pleasant yet strenuous, I decided in favour of the rowing machine. The movement sequence is smooth and the upper body and torso are challenged. More than with the Bowflex, I imagine. What's more, you can fold up the rowing machine and store it somewhere where you won't see it every day, because let's be honest: fitness equipment is never incredibly attractive to look at. Another reason: I don't think I would have been fascinated by strenuous stair climbing in the long term.

That's why I've been the proud owner of a brand new Concept 2 Model D for around a year now.

If you have a house or a large enough flat, you can leave your rowing machine assembled. This certainly increases the likelihood of training on it. However, when assembled, the machine is 2 metres 40 long, 61 centimetres wide and 90 centimetres high. That's an obstacle in my flat. Even disassembled ((L) 84 cm × (W) 64 cm × (H) 135 cm), it needs to be stowed away somewhere. For me, this means that if I want to do some rowing, I carry the parts from the children's room, where they are stored, to the bedroom, where I put them together and train on them. That's quite a hurdle.

What's easy to forget: shoes are also part of it. So ditch the Birkenstocks and put on your trainers and you're ready to go. Oh yes, turn up the Netflix, otherwise the noise of the rotor will drown everything out. At first, it takes some concentration to get the rowing movement right. However, if you pay too much attention to your posture, you will never really get into the rowing flow. This paradox needs to be solved somehow.

Those who want to train properly will probably use the monitor, which shows how many strokes per minute you can do and how far you have rowed. On the other hand, it's really boring to stare at this small screen for half an hour. And it only gets in the way when you're watching Netflix anyway. That's why I orientate myself on a series that lasts around half an hour, pull as fast as I can and stop when my legs go sour or my coccyx hurts.

Have I got fitter since then? I'm afraid not. I might set up the rowing machine once a month - but that's already the highest of feelings. But when I do, it feels good. My shoulders are sometimes a bit tense afterwards and after half an hour's training my legs are pretty wobbly. But then I have a dry rowing boat in my bedroom.

Rowing machines

Concept2 Modell D with Pm5 monitor

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Reto Hunziker

reto.hunziker@gmx.ch

I'm a freelance journalist, communications manager and versatile writer. I prefer to write about topics that fall somewhere between drivel and social relevance.

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I was looking for the ideal fitness tool and decided on... the rowing machine

Bowflex M3

Concept 2 model 5

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