Does anyone have experience with a rowing machine? I read that it is easy to hurt your lower back using a rowing machines

 

I don't use any machines nor do I use weights. I recommend Kung Fu, Tai Chi, Yoga or a combination, of all three. Actually, any martial arts will do. I happen to like the Chinese versions. Nothing is better than body exercises.

 

I owned one years ago and liked it. I guess that was before they discovered they were dangerous. Like any exercise you have to stay within your limits. I have a total gym now and it gives me a variety of options to exercise different muscle groups and it can work in a similar fashion to a rowing machine if I want. Variety I think is an important element in any exercise program, like the dance aerobics where you jump all over the place and use muscles that have been idle for years. But that is good.

Bud

 

The last time I actually tried to get healthy on my own(25 yrs ago), one of my favorite machines was a rower. Not the cheap hydraulic or spring type though.

It used a fan type mechanism in the front with some sort of bicycle gearing and the handle at the end of the chain. It also had a sliding seat. The fan gave more resistance the harder you rowed as well as blowing air back on you. No adjustments, no nothing. Sit down, slide forward, grab the handle and go. You worked your legs, back, chest, arms, and it was aerobic as well. I imagine that might be out of the price range of most people now. It was professional equipment on a ship I was on. I dunno about the consumer versions. Check local ads for used stuff if you decide to go that route.

For about 6-8 months a few years back I had a person helping me train and she used a very varied workout. Free weights, boxing, flexability, balance exercises, body weight workouts, flex bands, etc. I dropped over 25lbs body weight and my dumbbell curls went from 15 to 35lbs.

Circumstances made me drop out and I can feel it.

 

The machine is not necessarily the problem, as long as one uses the proper form when using it.

This can be easier said than done.

 

This is interesting to see what you guys do to stay fit. I'm sort of leery about the rowing machine and the potential for back injury. I get plenty of exercise from hiking, which I really enjoy. But as I get older, I need to maintain my muscles and strength too.

I'm also looking at power towers. These remind me of the 'monkey bars' we had at the playground in grammar school.....except these are a bit more geared for personal development. But what I like about these is that they are simple, cheap and they really work because you're just lifting your own body weight. Only drawback is this form of exercising could be boring too.

 

The towers were part of my workouts. Mostly as anchors for straps and flex bands. I never got to the point of actually being able to do the press ups or anything.

Best part of what I was doing was that it was never the same each time. Kettle bells, balance balls, monster walks, power balls, free weights, treadmill, tire flips, all sorts of stuff.

Thats the advantage of a gym (and this was a pretty low rent place) you can easily mix it up.

 

Yeah, I like the idea that you can attach the flex straps to the power tower as you mentioned