Pros and Cons of the Rowing Machine and the StairMaster

November 23, 2012 - By Mathieu Rousseau

Temps de lecture 3 minutes

Following my previous article on cardio machines, many of you have been asking me question about the rowing machine and the StairMaster.

First of all, I want to remind you some general principles about cardio machines. On the one hand, for an efficient warm-up or just to spend more calories, it is preferable to choose a machine that will work both the lower and upper body. In the case of the StairMaster, it is preferable not to hold the handles in order to work your balance and optimize the effect of your workout. On the other hand, including a larger variety of machines in your routine enables you to benefit from the advantages of each and avoid monotony.

Finally, it is important to remember that all cardio exercises enable us to burn calories and work the most important muscle, the heart. So, regardless of the machine, a regaular cardio training will improve your health and your cardio, and help you lose weight.

Pros and cons chart

Pros

Cons

Rowing machine

Can be used both for training cardio and muscle
Works the upper and lower boy
Interesting alternative to perform cardio when the legs are tired
No impacts on articulations
Can be used for interval training

Requires some technical learning
Harder to perform for a prolonged period of time because the arms get tired faster
Heart rate is unavailable
Usually not tolerated by those with back issues
Monotony, less possible variations when compared with other machines
No impacts on articulations
Can be used for interval training

StairMaster

Can be used both for training cardio and muscle
Heart rate easy to monitor
Works balance if we avoid holding the handles
Can be used for interval training
No impacts on articulationsNo impacts on articulations
Can be used for interval training
Requires a period of adaptation before getting used to the movement
Works only the lower body (slight movement of the arms if we avoid holding the handles)
Usually not well tolerated by those with back issues because of the often inclined position
Monotony, less possible variations when compared with other machines

Requires a period of adaptation before getting used to the movement
Works only the lower body (slight movement of the arms if we avoid holding the handles)
Usually not well tolerated by those with back issues because of the often inclined position
Monotony, less possible variations when compared with other machines
No impacts on articulations
Can be used for interval training

Pros and Cons of the Rowing Machine and the StairMaster is a post from Nautilus Plus. The Nautilus Plus blog aims to help people in their journey to fitness through articles on training, nutrition, motivation, exercise and healthy recipes.
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