The effect of rowing bench training on healthy aging
Several surprising records were set in the masters categories at the World Indoor Rowing Championships held in Canada in February. Several of the record holders started training only on the rowing bench when they were over 80 or 90 years old, and achieved excellent results in just a few years.
Based on the data collected by Concept2, it can be seen that it is not a unique case that older people are already sitting on a rowing bench.
Over 42% of Concept2's total of 2 billion official exercise log entries will come from people over 50 in 2023, compared to just 9% in 2002. Amazing growth for the benefit of the older age group!
This growing number is due to the growing awareness, recognition and availability of rowing benches. These days you can find paddleboards not only in houseboats; it can also be found among the cardio equipment of most gyms.
The rowing bench has also become very popular among fitness machines used at home, so much so that the WaterRower and Concept2 rowing machines became a shortage during the pandemic.
Why is rowing bench training good for older people?
The advantage of rowing bench training is that it provides joint-friendly cardio training , but at the same time it moves the entire body. During training, the joints (knees, ankles, hips) are not stressed, as in the case of running or jumping cardio exercises. Thus, the risk of injury is lower for the older age group as well.
Rowing machine training combines weight resistance strength training with cardio training. It trains the main muscle groups : legs, trunk, back, shoulders and arms. In addition to strengthening , it raises the heart rate and reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases , which increases with age.
As we age, we lose our correct posture, the range of motion of our joints decreases and we lose our flexibility. With proper rowing technique, the range of motion can be increased again : the muscles around the legs and hips, arm and back muscles are stretched; muscle stiffness decreases.
In addition to all this, perhaps the biggest advantage of ergometer rowing is that it also induces a continuous mental challenge . There is no greater dopamine (happiness hormone) booster than racing against the clock and the relief when the countdown on the display reaches zero at the end of a long workout.
Those who like social experiences have the opportunity to participate in virtual or preliminary competitions and can also join online communities where they can discuss their training experiences. Joint challenges and competitions strengthen the feeling of belonging and increase the attachment to the training and the device.
Although rowing machine training causes a lot of sweat and tears, what causes more blisters; in return, it rewards you with physical and mental health , regardless of how old you are or how much experience you have in sports.
Image source: worldrowing.com
