Rowing as cross-training: Just seen... - Fun Beyond 10K & ...

Fun Beyond 10K & Race Support

2,583 members7,648 posts

Rowing as cross-training

MutleyShuffle profile image
MutleyShuffleHalf Marathon
18 Replies

Just seen this runnersworld.com/uk/gear/te... I have been thinking about what to do if the roads/pavements get icy this winter and was thinking about joining a gym to use the treadmill. However you need to pay £30 for an induction and then it's £5 each visit, so it could work out expensive. Then I saw this and did a bit of research on rowing as cross-training. It seems rowing is a good low-impact cross training that uses lots of different muscle groups running.pocketoutdoormedia.... It would still be expensive of course but I like the idea of being able to use it whenever I like without leaving the house! Does anyone else have a rowing machine at home? Or is it a bit bonkers to be contemplating such a thing?! 😁

Written by
MutleyShuffle profile image
MutleyShuffle
Half Marathon
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
18 Replies
andystev profile image
andystev

If you've got room for one they're pretty good x training. We actually managed to pick one up for nowt on Freecycle, so it's worth keeping your eyes open.

MutleyShuffle profile image
MutleyShuffleHalf Marathon in reply to andystev

Yes my other half may take a bit of convincing that we've got room for one - he would be more easily convinced if it was free I'm sure! Will keep an eye on Freecycle, thanks

linda9389 profile image
linda9389AdministratorMarathon

Are you thinking of buying a machine? We used to have one which we bought for one of our boys. I did try using it but found it gave me backache (I'm sure thay was my lack of good posture despite thinking I was following what the book said) and it was bery boring. At the time I didn't have the motivation of wanting to stay fit for running though, maybe I would be.more likely to use it now if we still had it. It was just a cheap machine that we bought from Argos but we sold it on Gumtree in the end as none of us really used it.

MutleyShuffle profile image
MutleyShuffleHalf Marathon in reply to linda9389

Yes just started thinking about it - but Freecycle seems a better idea! I've read you need to keep a really strong core (think being punched in the stomach!) to prevent back ache

linda9389 profile image
linda9389AdministratorMarathon in reply to MutleyShuffle

That sounds about right 😀 My back is much stronger now than it was then thanks to Pilates, but at the time it was enough to put me off. I'm sure you will be able to pick something up secondhand. I got my treadmill secondhand and there was more than one to choose from locally at the time.

MutleyShuffle profile image
MutleyShuffleHalf Marathon in reply to linda9389

Good idea - I will have a look at the local paper and Gumtree too

alisonx profile image
alisonx

Mutley i think this is a fantastic idea - if you have the space for it.

The aldi offer is not much more than a pair of trainers! Good investment

Seems far better than a gym membership that you may hate, or even worse that when you go the equipment you want is not free!

I am not a fan of the gym can you tell lol - i also fail to see why they need to charge people so much to use it!

It certainly will mix up the workout for you - and as you say an excellent low impact option for bad weather days or even rest days

MutleyShuffle profile image
MutleyShuffleHalf Marathon in reply to alisonx

Yes I hate gyms too, would much rather have the option to do this at home. I think we have space, but other half may not agree!! Apparently it folds up so you can store it.

linda9389 profile image
linda9389AdministratorMarathon in reply to MutleyShuffle

Ours folded up, but it still had a reasonably big footprint - nothing like a treadmill tho

roseabi profile image
roseabiUltramarathon

Rowing is a fantastic low impact strength and cardio workout. A short while ago I looked into "rowing" exercises without excessive equipment, and found this with just a resistance band, which looks pretty good to me (you'd need something sturdy to fix the band to):

menshealth.com/fitness/a195...

MutleyShuffle profile image
MutleyShuffleHalf Marathon in reply to roseabi

Hey, that looks great! So much cheaper and easier to stash away! Might just get a resistance band instead! Thanks Abi 😊

Lordi profile image
LordiMarathon

There are rowing machines and rowing machines though, so do some research before buying.

Madge50 profile image
Madge50Marathon

Yes, I’ve got one, (we’ve actually got a ‘gym’ set up in our garage) I’ve started using it as part of a ‘do something every day’ for January, equivalent to a mile everyday.... I have been trying to do it twice a week, I’ve always liked a rowing machine, but my goodness it made my glutes (bum) hurt! 😂.....and I do loads of glute stretches/bridges etc., must be hitting the parts other exercises don’t reach...😱.....it’s not so bad now, but my goodness!........ha ha ha!

Hope you find something that suits.

Mx

MutleyShuffle profile image
MutleyShuffleHalf Marathon in reply to Madge50

That's good to know, strong glutes are good glutes! 😁

Bazza1234 profile image
Bazza1234Marathon

Hmm - last year I could not run for 6 months - so I joined a gym to try to keep up my cardio and maybe build some upper body strength as well. I used the rowing machine quite a lot and it felt good. BUT - when I returned to the road , I was "rubbish" ( as you Brits say :) ) - but we can only do what we can do !!

MutleyShuffle profile image
MutleyShuffleHalf Marathon in reply to Bazza1234

Hopefully it will be ok as cross-training, I hope ice won't stop me running for too long 😬

Bazza1234 profile image
Bazza1234Marathon in reply to MutleyShuffle

I have read that rowing is the "best" cross training" for runners -- but not a replacement for running.

CBDB profile image
CBDB

Just came across your post from 2 years ago, but Just in case it’s of interest, I’ve just dropped a rowing interval workout review in the Strength and Flex Forum. healthunlocked.com/strength...

You may also like...

Cross training? Just cross!

disappear from sight!). So much for low impact cross training...

Cross training or dicing with injury?

Hello all, my half marathon training was going well, a couple of 10 mile runs under my belt, when...

Cross Training

half marathon training and normally I’d get my bike out for a little bit of cross training but this...

October Half Marathon Group 😄 Cross training and lashings of ginger beer 🤤

last week 😊😊😊 So, who's enjoying a bit of cross-training as part of your half marathon plan?...

Feeling cross 😆

chocolate\\" in the list......