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Losing weight is a common goal for many people, but it’s not always easy as it looks. A lot of people try crash diets and/or other options that may work but are dangerous at the same time.
In the end, it’s more about building a strong cardio routine that is going to add value to your dietary choices. This is how you are going to see tangible results and it is going to be worth it over the long-term.
Keeping this in mind, it’s time to determine whether running or rowing is the right choice moving forward. This article will take a look at both options and which one works better.
The Weight Loss Benefits of Rowing
1. Full-Body Workout
It all starts with the emphasis on working out your entire body during the movement.
Whether it is your legs, back, biceps, or any other muscle, all of them are going to be activated to some extent during a rowing motion. This is essential for those who want to do things the right way and make sure their entire body is getting worked out.
It is not just about one element when working out. You will want to make sure all elements are being worked out fairly.
This is why more and more people look towards this type of workout when it is time to keep things as efficient as possible.
You not only get to work out the heart, but also the muscles. This is going to help burn even more calories during a workout session that might not have been possible with other types of cardio exercises. This is an advantage that is hard to beat.
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2. Higher Caloric Burn Per Minute
Caloric burn is a critical detail to think about when it comes to the weight loss benefits of rowing.
You are going to be getting more value per minute of effort while rowing. Whether you are rowing indoors or outdoors, the value will be there through simple math.
The benefits include:
- Impactful Workout Sessions
- Builds Endurance Faster
- Powerful Movement Pattern
You will know as soon as you start rowing, the body is going to have a chance to burn quite a few calories every minute of effort. When this happens, you can shorten the sessions and increase the intensity while still receiving the full value of a workout session.
This is when cardio becomes a powerful option without wasting time throughout the day. Even 20-25 minutes will be impressive if your effort levels are high.
3. Works Your Core
To the surprise of many people, rowing works well for weight loss because it starts building strength in areas that are going to look great as soon as the fat burns away.
The caloric burn is going to be there due to the amount of work you are doing, but that is just one step. You also want to make sure the body looks fit once the fat goes away.
This is why building abs is a major plus because you are going to see incredible results as soon as the fat drips away. Studies also show building muscle helps burn even more calories just due to maintenance.
4. Difficult to Slack During Workouts
Slacking during a workout is why people don’t lose weight as fast as they want to. You have to make sure the intensity is there and you power through the workout by building stamina.
Rowing is wonderful in this regard because it is not easy to take a step back. You are going to have to complete the full-body movement to row and that is going to take a bit of work on your part even during the end of a workout session.
As a result, weight loss becomes easier when you are putting that much work into the movement.
The Weight Loss Benefits of Running
1. Easy to Learn
Learning is an essential requirement when it comes to doing things properly. You will want to account for everything and ensure you are not making mistakes that will lead to injury. Remember, any type of injury is going to push you back quite a bit in your weight loss journey.
With running, it is easy to learn and it is something you have already been doing since a young age.
Most people run as kids whether it is playing tag or doing anything. It is a natural movement. This is why running remains a great option as a weight loss exercise.
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2. Can Be Done Anywhere
You will want to do something easy to complete outdoors or indoors.
This is a major plus point for running when you are trying to lose weight. If you are someone that just wants to pick and complete the exercise wherever they are then running is a good option.
The benefits include:
- Easy to Do Outdoors
- Easy to Get into a Rhythm
- Natural Movement Pattern
You won’t have to think about finding a machine or trying to ensure the set up is perfect. Instead, with running you just have to find an open space and start moving.
This is something a lot of people relate to and that is why running is still a good option for those who want to lose fat.
3. Builds Stronger Legs
Building stronger legs does matter when it comes to your weight loss goals.
Why is this the case?
It has to do with looking fitter due to the muscle gain that is going to come with running. A lot of people note how their legs get better because they are using them more during running sessions. This is something that does matter and will play a significant role in how you look.
If the goal is to shed weight then adding muscle is always a great benefit and it happens with a simple exercise like running.
4. Easy to Switch Intensity
When you want to lose weight, it becomes important not to get stuck in a rut. This can happen when you are using the wrong type of machine and/or doing the bare minimum when working out.
As a result, it is a lot easier to switch intensity whether you want to go easy or not during a workout. This is why a lot of beginners will look towards running as an easier option for their weight loss needs.
This is an advantage that does stand out for those who want to make these switches from time to time. While other machines do offer this value, running allows you to do it naturally without having to account for anything else.
For example, if you are running outdoors, you just have to slow up and that is going to be enough to switch up the intensity.
Running vs Rowing for Weight Loss: Which One Works Better?
It’s important to note both running and rowing are beneficial as cardio exercises.
However, based on the research done on this subject, more and more people are starting to realize the importance of rowing in their cardio routines. Rowing offers a unique set of advantages that are not seen when using other machines and that is what holds people back.
If the goal is to lose weight and look better, you are going to want to start rowing as much as possible. Rowing helps build strength, provides a full-body workout, and burns more calories per minute.
This is ideal for those who want to work out and get the most bang for their buck during the process. While rowing on water is great, it’s not always practical or possible for most people – if you fall into that category, then we’d suggest checking out the Hydrow rowing machine – you can learn more at their website:
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