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Exercise Guide

How to do rowing on rowing machine

Master the setup, range of motion, and tempo for safer, more effective reps.

Rowing on a machine is a comprehensive full-body cardiovascular exercise that engages approximately eighty-five percent of the body muscles. It provides a low-impact workout that improves heart health, endurance, and muscular strength in the legs, back, and arms. The rhythmic nature of the movement makes it an excellent choice for burning calories and improving overall physical conditioning for athletes of all levels.

Stats

DIFFICULTY
Untrained to Advanced
EQUIPMENT
Rowing Machine
TARGET MUSCLES
Back, Quads, Glutes, Biceps

Instructions for Proper Form

The Stroke (Four Parts):

  1. The Catch: Start with your arms straight, head neutral, and shoulders relaxed. Your shins should be vertical, and you should be leaning forward slightly from the hips.
  2. The Drive: This is the power phase. Begin by driving powerfully with your legs. As your legs straighten, lean your torso back to about a 11 o'clock position. Finally, pull the handle into your lower chest/upper abs.
  3. The Finish: At the end of the stroke, your legs are extended, your torso is leaning back slightly, and the handle is held at your lower chest.
  4. The Recovery: This is the reverse of the drive. First, extend your arms. Then, hinge forward at the hips. Finally, bend your knees to slide back to the starting 'Catch' position.

Rhythm:

  • The rhythm should be a powerful drive back and a controlled, patient recovery forward. Think "Power-Patience-Patience."

Common mistakes: Pulling with the arms before the legs, rounding the back, and over-extending the lean at the finish.

Alternatives

Cable

lat prayer

Back
Pull Up Bar

chin up

BackBiceps+1
Lat Pulldown

lat pulldown(wide bar)

BackBiceps+1
Row Cable

cable seated one arm row

BackBiceps+1
Pull Up Bar

chin up

BackBiceps+1
Lat Pulldown

lat pulldown behind the neck

BackBiceps+1
Dumbbell

dumbbell bent over row

BackBiceps+1
Pull Up Bar

chin ups narrow parallel grip

BackBiceps+1
Pull Up Bar

pull up

BackBiceps+1
Lat Pulldown

cable one arm lat pulldown

BackBiceps+1
Pull Up Bar

close grip chin up

BackBiceps+1
Lat Pulldown

lat pulldown

BackBiceps+1
Row Cable

cable seated row

BackBiceps+1
Barbell

barbell bent over row

BackBiceps+1
Cable

cable straigth arm pulldown(rope)

BackRear Shoulder
Cable

cable straight arm pulldown(bar)

BackRear Shoulder
Barbell

barbell underhand bent over row

BackBiceps
Lat Pulldown

cable seated high row(v-bar)

BackBiceps+1
Bench

dumbbell chest supported row

BackBiceps+1
Front Pulldown

machine front pulldown

BackBiceps+1
Dumbbell

dumbbell one arm row(with support)

BackBiceps+1
Barbell

barbell chest supported row

BackBiceps+1
Barbell

t-bar row(v-grip)

BackBiceps+1
Landmine

t-bar row

BackBiceps+1
Lat Pulldown

cable wide grip behind neck pulldown

BackBiceps+1
Low Row Machine

machine low row

BackBiceps+1
Barbell

barbell reverse grip supported row

BackBiceps+1
Pulldown Machine

machine lateral pulldown

BackBiceps+1
Lat Pulldown

lat pulldown reverse close grip

BackBiceps+1
High Row Machine

machine high row

BackBiceps+1
Row Cable

cable low seated row

BackBiceps+1
Seated Row Machine

machine seated row

BackBiceps+1
Cable

cable pulldown(v-bar)

BackRear Shoulder
None

sliding floor pulldown on towel

BackBiceps
None

superman row with towel

BackBiceps
Row Cable

cable seated row(rope)

BackBiceps+1
Rings

ring high suspended row

BackBiceps+1
Squat Rack

inverted row bend knees

BackRear Shoulder+1
Kettlebell

kettlebell bent over row

BackBiceps+1
Rings

ring suspended row

BackBiceps+1
Dumbbell

dumbbell pull over

BackChest+2
Resistance Band

band seated row

BackBiceps+1
Rowing Machine

rowing on rowing machine

BackQuads+2