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Will a Rowing Machine Tone Your Stomach?

 Written by 

Julien Raby

 Last updated on 

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According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, 70% of all American adults are obese.

This means that they have excess body fat, which exposes them to diseases such as diabetes.

a woman using rowing machine to tone her stomach
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This rowing machine article will help you achieve your individual weight loss goals by answering the question, “will a rowing machine tone my stomach?

Why am I losing weight but not belly fat?

It is not easy to shed belly fat because it does not break down quickly compared to fat from other body parts. This is because stomach fat has alpha receptors that slow down the breaking process.

Another reason people struggle to have a toned stomach is the food they eat. Avoid eating processed foods such as refined grains and sugars. Processed foods have excess calories that make it difficult to lose belly fat and tone your stomach.

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Based on our testing, this is the best rower for beginners. For less than 500$, this silent water rower will last you for years. It also comes with a 12-year warranty.

Pros:
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Lastly, research has shown that women who hit menopause struggle to shed stomach fat. Low estrogen levels shift fat accumulation from the thighs and hips to the stomach. One way to maintain proper form or a leaner body is to adopt cardio exercises. You can do this using a wide range of equipment such as a row machine.

Will a row machine help me tone my stomach?

Yes, when used effectively, a row machine will help lose belly fat and tone your stomach. There are several ways that a rower can be used to target the midsection. The best is to incorporate other exercises such as push-ups, pikes, and planks. 

You can do planks by resting your feet on the rower’s seat and placing your hands on the floor. To ensure the exercises are effective, the belly button and the hips must not touch the ground. Beginners should hold this position for 45 seconds and repeat it twice per set.

The number of daily calories lost will depend on factors such as the level of resistance training, the user’s body composition, and metabolic rate. The metabolic rate is the amount of energy lost by a living organism. An average person should lose 106 calories for every 15 minutes of exercise.

How fast do rowing machine users see results?

Rowing machine users should see results within the first three weeks of training. However, changes will be more noticeable after three months of training. The best way to train is to learn. Ther first two months should be geared towards learning the mechanics to have an efficient rowing rhythm. After learning the mechanics, focus on increasing the volume and intensity of the exercises.

Tips for using rowing equipment to tone your stomach

Before using a rowing machine, one must understand how to use it. Otherwise, a bad posture can result in injuries. Also, start with a warm-up. Warm-up is essential because it raises the body temperature and heartbeat. As a result, more blood will flow to the muscles, protecting the body from soreness and injury.

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Use the correct posture

Most people who use rowing machines do it wrongly. You need to know the correct posture to use. Poor posture will cause back pain, which will cause health issues. For the correct posture, sit on the rower, bend your knees and ensure the feet are well strapped.

Before you grab the handle, ensure the shins rest almost 90 degrees to the ground. Grab the cable while ensuring that your back is flat. The main point is to ensure that you do not curve your back at any given time.

how to lose belly fat with rowing machine illustration
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Know the right terms

It does not matter whether it is a special rowing machine or a regular ultimate abs machine. The terms are the same. The two main terms used are strokes per minute and split time.

Strokes per minute refer to the number of times a user rows every sixty seconds. When exercising, make 30 strokes or less per minute. This will help build more power.

Split time refers to the time it takes for the user to cover 500 meters. If the split time is 1:55, it takes one minute and fifty-five seconds to row for 500 meters.

Avoid unhealthy foods

After using the rower for a few months, most people give up, claiming the machine is not helping them lose belly fat and tone their stomach. This mostly happens to people who eat unhealthy foods. Certain kinds of food must be avoided to lose fat. 

The first type of food to avoid is french fries or potato chips. This is because they are high in calories. According to research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, people who eat fried potatoes at least twice a week have increased mortality rates. This is because french fries cause chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension.

Other unhealthy foods include candy bars {they have too much sugar and refined flour}, ice cream, and alcohol. Foods such as pizza should also be avoided because they have high amounts of refined flour and processed meat.

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A young woman standing in front of the refrigerator, holding a bowl of fresh vegetable salad for a healthy diet on one hand and holding a plate of unhealthy fried chicken on the other. Making decision and choices for lifestyle and eating habit.

How to engage abs

To engage abs, pull the rower bar and push backward, using your feet while pulling the handle towards the stomach. If you feel the core tightening, your abs are being exercised. Return to the original positions and start the process again.

Everyone can have abs if they exercise their abdominal muscles. Machine Ab exercises are important because they help reduce fat and also exercise your entire core. Most people fail to get Abs because they are not using the rower correctly. The user must flex their torso forward to ensure that abdominal muscles are exercised.

3 Benefits of using a rowing machine for stomach

There are three main rowing machines that one can use. The first machine is a water rower. A water rower uses water to create resistance. The second machine is a magnetic rower. It removes stubborn belly fat by using magnetic brakes that create resistance. The third machine is a hydraulic rower. All three provide great benefits to your body.

It builds power and endurance

A rowing machine helps build power each time the user increases the resistance level. Power is the ability of your body to apply force and resistance within a short period. Power and strength mean almost the same thing. The only difference is that strength is not time-bound.

Apart from building power, rowers help build endurance. This means the user can sustain a given activity for an extended period without tiring.

It is a good alternative to the treadmill

There are several reasons why a rowing machine is better than a treadmill. First, a rower is much quieter when living in an apartment. Each time you use the treadmill, neighbours below you will complain of noise pollution.

Best Rower for Beginner
Sunny Water Rowing Machine
4.5

Based on our testing, this is the best rower for beginners. For less than 500$, this silent water rower will last you for years. It also comes with a 12-year warranty.

Pros:
  • Affordable
  • Quiet
  • Amazing warranty
See latest price See all Rowers below 500$

Second, a rower exercises the upper and lower halves of your body, while a treadmill only focuses on the lower part of the body. Every time you stroke, the machine will exercise the Abs, the calve, glutes and hamstring. 

It is crucial to note that rowers are suitable for cardio workouts because of their high-intensity exercises.

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Rowers reduce pressure on the joints

People with injuries use rowers because they accommodate low-impact exercises. In addition, the resistance level can be easily changed to accommodate the user’s needs. This makes the machine suitable for use by people of different age groups.

Rowing machines also reduce knee joint pressure compared to other cardiovascular exercises such as running and weight lifting. Weight lifting can result in knee injuries, especially when done without proper knowledge and guidance.

In conclusion, a rowing machine will tone your stomach. This is because it targets major muscle groups such as the transversus abdominis, rectus abdominis, and pyramidalis muscles. However, for the machine to be effective, users must play their part by ensuring they learn about proper posture. In addition, you must consult a nutritionist to get advice on a suitable diet that meets your individual needs.

How fast do rowing machine users see results?

Rowing machine users should see results within the first three weeks of training. However, changes will be more noticeable after three months of training. The best way to train is to learn. Ther first two months should be geared towards learning the mechanics to have an efficient rowing rhythm. After learning the mechanics, focus on increasing the volume and intensity of the exercises.

Will a row machine help me tone my stomach?

Yes, when used effectively, a row machine will help lose belly fat. There are several ways that a rower can be used to target the midsection. The best is to incorporate other exercises such as push-ups, pikes, and planks. 

About

Julien Raby is the owner of BoxLife. He owns a bachelor in literature and a certificate in marketing from Concordia. He's Crossfit Level 1 certified and has been involved in Crossfit since 2010. In 2023 he finally made it to Crossfit Open Quarterfinals for the first time. LinkedIn Instagram Facebook

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