Living a healthy lifestyle is more and more present in the collective mind of people. More and more people are actively changing something in their lives in order to be healthier and look better. Other than dieting of course and focusing on eating balanced meals, it is physical activity that is the most important aspect here.
Exercise and fitness are essential components of feeling and looking better, and therefore of leading a healthier lifestyle. Regular exercise is known to have numerous benefits for the body and mind and in this article, we talk about one of those benefits. As a matter of fact, we focus on a single exercise and how it influences one of the most sought-after fitness results, the abs.
Contents
Why Exercise is Important
Exercise, working out, being active, whatever you want to call it… it is crucial for every single person. Exercises help keep our bodies functioning properly and more ready for whatever life throws at us.
When we work out, our cardiovascular health improves, muscle strength and flexibility are promoted, overall physical health is better, and it even prevents chronic health conditions like heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and cancers.
Mental health benefits are also there as exercising reduces stress, improves mood, and increases self-esteem. Cognitive functions are elevated too and there is a reduced risk of stress, depression, and anxiety.
How to Include Exercise in a Daily Routine?
There are many effective ways to start working out without even doing that much. Incorporating exercise into your daily routine does not always have to mean difficult and time-consuming trips to the gym. Oftentimes, all it takes is choosing the stairs instead of taking the elevator or escalator Walk or bike to work if you live close enough to work and take more walking and cycling in general.
Finding an exercise buddy can make all the difference because working out with a friend or a partner can and will make exercise more enjoyable. It is also great for motivation. If you need extra motivation or guidance, you can always join a fitness class (yoga, pilates) or book a personal coach. Of course, it is always possible to go to the gym alone but it takes discipline and willpower.
Starting With Cardio
For a lot of people, it is cardio exercises that get the hooked on that amazing feeling of an earned workout. These activities make use of most, if not all of the body and promote breathing, thus contributing to the overall health of the heart and lungs and increasing your blood flow and stamina in the process.
Cardiovascular health is very important and it is best kept at a high level through the appropriate exercises. The most common cardio workouts include walking, jogging, running, jumping, swimming, and cycling. There are of course many other ways to do cardio, one of which is the rowing machine. It has a lot of benefits for several muscle groups that work at once, on top of it being a low-impact cardiovascular workout.
The Rowing Machine: Perfect Cardio
A rowing machine is also known as an indoor rower. It is a genius piece of exercise equipment that was made to simulate the very effective but difficult motion of boat rowing. Of course, regular rowing can only be done on a boat so there was always a need for something that can mimic it in other situations. The machine consists of a seat, a footrest, and a handlebar. It has a resistance mechanism that simulates the feeling of water resistance.
As mentioned, rowing machines are used for both cardio and strength workouts. The incredible motion of rowing engages multiple key muscle groups that all fitness people agree are the most important and fun to exercise. The machine works the legs, core, back, and arms, meaning it is a true full-body workout. This is also a low-impact exercise as it puts less stress on the joints than other cardio exercises like running or jumping for example.
Rowing is an excellent cardio exercise that improves heart health, increase endurance, and burns calories. It builds muscle strength and improves physical performance. It is amazing for fat burning and weight loss as it burns the calories away quickly. It has mental benefits too since it reduces stress and has meditative properties. Overall, a very effective piece of fitness machinery that gives incredible results.
Abs Benefits
One thing that we have not yet mentioned, and which is actually the main part of the article, is how beneficial the rowing machine is for the abdomen. Abs are quite tricky to properly exercise and are best influenced by cardio. They need to be strong to be visible, but there must also not be any belly far covering them. A rowing machine is an effective tool for working the abdominal muscles and for more reasons than one. Here is how it helps:
Core stabilization
Rowing requires a very stable core and using a rowing machine strengthens the muscles that support the spine and improves overall core stabilization. Do not underestimate the importance of this for ab workouts.
A full-body workout
As mentioned, this is a full-body workout that engages multiple muscle groups, including the abs. The motion involves a combination of leg, back, and arm movements, which requires the core muscles to work to stabilize the body. As they do so, the abs also receive a lot of work and are therefore engaged a lot throughout the session.
Increased muscle activation
Rowing can help activate the abdominal muscles more than other cardio exercises like running or cycling. Thanks to the coordinated effort between the legs, arms, back, and core, the abs are continuously engaged throughout the workout as they contract and stretch. Running, cycling, and even swimming lack this.
Improved posture
Strengthening the core is great for improving posture and reducing the risk of back pain. If your posture is proper, your abs will also have enough room and an optimal environment to grow and strengthen.
Toned abs
Regular use of a rowing machine will eventually help you notice your abs more and bring them forward. A flatter and more defined midsection is the end result but only if you stick it and do it properly. Of course, a variety of exercises that target the abs like planks, crunches, and leg raises are still necessary. Also, a healthy diet and better life choices are needed because of how hard it is to get a six-pack or even a four-pack. Abs really do require a well-rounded effort for optimal results.
