Types of Rowing Machines

Indoor rowing has built a following of its own kind and is becoming more and more popular these days. Latest designs are constantly introduced in the market. The basic classification of the rowing machines is on the basis of the type of resistance they use.

There are two groups in the types of resistances that rowing machines use. The first is Piston Resistance. This type uses a hydraulic piston that is attached to the handle. The length of the rower handles is usually adjustable but it does not change while rowing. So the trajectory of the handle once fixed remains same throughout the workout. That means that the path that is taken while pulling is the same for returning. Such models usually have a fixed seat position. This means that legs can’t be used to push in these models.

The second group, brake flywheel resistance has three types: Magnetic Resistance, Air Resistance and Water resistance. All the three models are grouped under brake flywheel resistance, as they all have the same basic design, have a flywheel that is connected to the handle with either a chain or rope. And since all of them have a flexible medium by which they connect the handle and the flywheel, therefore it is possible for a rower to have a different trajectory during pull and return. Also all the models offer movable seats. That makes the experience close to reality. In the Magnetic Resistance models, the brake uses an electromagnet that engages the brakes. In these models the braking resistance can be adjusted. In the Air Resistance models, air-fins are used which are like the blades of a fan. The air pressure they take onto themselves causes braking. They use a damper to control the resistance. As they are very similar to fans, their speed is measured through sensors by the dissipated amount of energy. The last type Water Resistance models are very similar to the Air resistance models as they have the same type of fins on the flywheel, but instead of air they use water to resist movement. The flywheel in these models is submerged in water.

Rowing Machines

Rowing is not only a good sport but also a very good exercise. But it is not possible to practice on water all the time. And practice on water is not measurable either. Rowing machines or indoor rowers are mechanical contraptions that simulate rowing. Rowing machines have come a long way. Around 1900 rowing machines’ design was pretty primitive. They used linear pneumatic resistance. In the 1950’s and 60’s, their design was altered and they pretty much consisted of a large heavy wheel with brake. That was like torture to rowers. In these models, the means of power measurements were provided. Around 1980, they introduced air resistance rowing machines. Later in 1988, they introduced a new system that followed a hydraulic flywheel rowing machine design. In many of the current rowing machines, this basic design is adopted. These days, rowing machines consist of a handle and a flywheel inter connected with a chain. When the rower pulls the handle using his legs to push himself and the flywheel apart, the flywheel rotates. The fly wheel has brakes that are applied by a magnet damper, pneumatic brakes or a hydraulic brake. The brakes are installed to bring the experience closer to the original thing. When the rower’s paddle comes off the water, the row boat or kayak decelerates. And the rower and the flywheel move apart. In some rowing machines, the rower is stationary and in some the flywheel is stationary. The measuring mechanism works with the flywheel. Some machines calculate the power of a rower stroke by measuring the speed of the flywheel. Then the machine monitors the rate at which the fly wheel decelerates during the rower’s recovery. Using such techniques, the rowing machine calculates other things.

The rowing machine is a very good simulator not only for people who are rowers and wish to improve, but also for people who would like to start as practice on the rowing machine will give them a strong base and an idea of what the real thing is like.