Rowing for Exercise

The American Heart Association estimates that you gain about two hours of life expectancy for each hour of regular, vigorous exercise, and lists rowing as being especially beneficial. 

Some outdoor activities, such as paddling a kayak, exercise your upper body.  Other activities, such as riding a bicycle, exercise your lower body.  Rowing a boat lets you do both at the same time.

Rowing strengthens and tones muscles in your legs, back, abdomen, shoulders, and arms.  Using lots of muscles all over your body means that you can do more exercise and get more of the benefits without tiring out any one set of muscles.

Rowing is primarily aerobic exercise, also known as cardio vascular exercise or simply as cardio.  Aerobic exercise uses large muscles, in a continuous rhythmic motion, to elevate your heart rate, and conditions your heart, your arteries, and your lungs.  It also does a lot of other good things for you, such as helping control body weight, relieving depression, and helping you sleep better. 

The American Heart Association recommends aerobic activity for at least 30 minutes on most days of the week, and recommends intensity levels based on target heart rates according to your age and fitness level.  See Aerobic Heart Rate Chart.

In addition to being excellent aerobic exercise, rowing is a great form of recreation.  Being outdoors and on the water can be an enjoyable change of pace and can lift your spirits and add interest to your life.