The Many Health Benefits of Boat Rowing

Debra Murray

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There is nothing like floating on top of the open water. It's so tranquil and serene, especially when it's done early in the morning before the sounds of the world waking up begin. What some people might not realize is that boat rowing is also a great form of exercise that is good for their health. Read on to find out more about all the benefits that it has to offer.  

Perfect Overall Body Workout 

Boat rowing is considered by many to be the perfect form of exercise because it works out the entire body at the same time. Usually, people have to change up their exercise routine to be able to target different muscle groups. Rowing uses the muscles in the legs, shoulders, arms, and abdomen. It specifically helps the areas of the body that are required for balance. This makes it highly recommended for those who are struggling with balance issues because of health problems, such as Parkinson's disease. 

Increases Cardiovascular Endurance 

One of the best ways to stay healthy and keep your heart strong is with cardiovascular exercises. Most people add walking or running to their workout to cover the needed cardio, but this can get monotonous after a while. A great way to mix things up is to row for an hour a day instead. Because getting out the equipment and heading to the lake takes some time, many people end up rowing for much longer than an hour while they are out there. Though, if time is short, people can always hit the rowing machine indoors instead.  

Low Impact 

Even though boat rowing takes so much physical effort, it is surprisingly gentle on the body. So it works great for people who have persistent joint pain. It doesn't stress the knees, hips or ankles. Since a person has to sit down to row, there is no risk of stress fractures or injuries from falling.  

High Calorie Burner 

The amount of calories that a person burns depends on a few different factors. Their age, weight, and normal level of activity all affect it. The best way to describe the calorie burning benefits of rowing is to compare it to another activity. A standard session of boat rowing that is performed for the same amount of time as a running marathon is about equal to it in regards to how many calories someone could potentially burn. 

Great Muscle Burner 

Working out all the muscle groups with boat rowing means that it acts as the equivalent of a mixture of strength training and cardio. This cuts down on the amount of time that someone has to spend lifting weights in the gym. Rowing builds muscles and strength very efficiently because the water adds resistance to the workout, so the intensity will vary depending on the amount of wind or how rocky the waves are. Since the body never knows what to expect each time, there is a decreased chance of getting stuck at a fitness plateau.