Exercise / 472Animation available
Rowing Machine demonstration

Illustration by RepDB

Cardio / Rower

Rowing Machine

A full-body cardio machine movement in which each stroke drives with the legs, swings the torso back and pulls the handle to the ribs, training the legs, back and arms in one continuous cycle.

Equipment

Rower

Experience

beginner

Movement

compound

Primary musclesSecondary muscles

Traps · Glutes · Hamstrings · Rhomboids · Lower Back · Biceps

Instructions

  1. 01

    Sit on the rower, strap your feet into the footplates and take the handle with an overhand grip.

  2. 02

    Slide forward into the catch: shins vertical, torso leaning slightly ahead of the hips, arms straight out toward the flywheel.

  3. 03

    Drive through your legs first, pushing the seat back until your knees are almost straight.

  4. 04

    Swing your torso back past vertical, then pull the handle in to your lower ribs with your elbows travelling past your sides.

  5. 05

    Reverse the order on the recovery — arms away, torso forward, then bend the knees — and slide back to the catch for the next stroke.

  6. 06

    Continue for the desired time, distance or number of strokes.

Choose a load and range you can control. These instructions are general guidance, not a substitute for individual coaching.