A Brief Buying Guide for a Rowing Machine

A Brief Buying Guide for a Rowing Machine

A rowing machine is indeed a great addition to your home gym. But with so many brands to choose from, finding the right rowing machine that meets your budget and fitness goals can be difficult. The best model is one that can really help you achieve the weight, physique, and endurance level that you have always wanted. By carefully considering the following factors, you can pick the right rowing machine for yourself: 

Rowing Machine Resistance Type - 

The resistance type is the number one factor you seriously have to consider as it greatly affects the intensity level of your workout and smoothness of your rowing motion. 

• Magnetic rowing machines offer a basic workout experience, but they are very effective in helping people achieve their fitness goals. They are popular with many home gym buyers as they are some of the most affordable choices. 

• Air rowing machines are said to provide the best exercise experience because they come with adjustable resistance levels. Some air rowing machines combine magnetic and air resistance. They are cheaper than an average air rowing machine and are considered the best option on the market.

• Water rowing machines are also a great choice for those who like to experience a more realistic rowing workout. The only downside is that they are expensive. 

• If you are really budget-conscious, choose a hydraulic rowing machine. It is the cheapest type on the market. Its rowing motion is quiet but not as smooth as other types. If you only intend to work out once a week, then this rowing machine will be good enough.

Your Budget and Your Space

Find out the measurements of your space and the amount of money you are willing to pay for a brand-new machine. That way, you can filter out your options better. If you have a limited space at home, consider a foldable rowing machine or a model with transport wheels. 

Brand or Supplier 

Trusted manufacturers and suppliers live by their promised quality and service. They offer good warranty policies and after-sales services to provide 100% customer satisfaction.

Different Kinds of Gym Flooring

Gym flooring comes in various kinds, each of them with their own benefits. If you are planning to build a commercial gym or even a home gym, here are the best types of flooring that you can choose from:

1. Carpet Tiles

Carpet is relatively inexpensive, all-purpose, and pretty easy to maintain and clean. It’s also an excellent flooring solution for gyms. Low pile carpet, which is a bit coarser in texture, is best utilized in exercise areas. Interlocking carpet tiles are also great options as they can be easily installed by a single person. 

2. Rubber Flooring

Rubber flooring can be bought in tiles or rolls, and they can be found in a wide range of color options and thicknesses. Their pricing also varies greatly. Note that this type of flooring can be heavy, so if you’re planning to use it for your home gym and you’re going to install it on our own, it’s advisable that you go for rubber tile flooring instead of the rolled version.

3. Foam Flooring

Most foam flooring solutions are available in the form of mats and interlocking tiles usually referred to as foam tiles, soft tiles, or puzzle lock tiles. Installation often takes just a few minutes. Foam is inexpensive, easy to maintain and clean, and provides a soft and comfortable flooring solution. It’s ideal for your home gym if you do a lot of stretching and sit-ups. 

4. Vinyl Tiles

Vinyl tiles are durable and flexible—characteristics that make them versatile as flooring solutions. Vinyl floor tiles also interlock together, which means that they are easy to install. They’re available in various colors and actually feel like rubber. Cleaning these tiles is fairly easy; mopping or sweeping will do. It’s also resistant to the growth of mildew and mold.

When buying gym flooring, it is recommended that you check samples first before you make your purchase. 

Three Foam Roller Exercises which are Great For Overall Fitness

Recovering after a workout is important and actually determines how your next session will shape out. If you have not recovered from the pain and muscle soreness of a workout, chances are that you may not go in for the next session. And this defeats the very purpose of working out. Recovering from a workout can be a lot easier than imagined, and it all boils down to a set a exercises that you perform after you finish your workouts. Here is a look at three different foam roller exercises that help you in your fitness program.

Soothe your calves

In a seating position with your legs stretched out, place your hands behind you, raise yourself and position the foam roller beneath your calves. Roll yourself on the foam roller between the back of your knees and your ankles. You need to control the weight of the body with your arms and the rolling motion. This will greatly soothe the calves, blowing pain away.

Reducing lactic acid buildup in your quads

Lie face down and raise yourself on your palms. Place the foam roller beneath your hips and cross your left leg onto your right leg as far as possible. The idea is to shift weight onto one leg. Roll yourself on the foam roller from the hips to the knees. Repeat the same procedure with your other leg. This will keep lactic acid levels low and ease muscle soreness.

Give much needed relief to your back

Your back takes a lot of load during work outs, without you even being aware of the kind of punishment you are meting out. It is necessary to offer relief to your back with this wonderful foam roller exercise. Sit on the floor with your knees pulled up to your chest and slowly rest your back on the floor with your arms outstretched behind you.  Place the foam roller behind your lower back and raise yourself lightly. Roll yourself on the foam roller moving it from the lower back, all the way upto the shoulder blades. Your body weight needs to be balanced on your feet and your outstretched palms.