What is a primary benefit of using a rowing machine during workouts?

Using a rowing machine during workouts primarily enhances cardiovascular endurance due to the nature of the exercise, which involves both aerobic and anaerobic components. Rowing engages multiple muscle groups including the legs, core, and arms, creating a full-body workout that elevates the heart rate. This continuous engagement leads to improvements in cardiovascular health, as it increases the efficiency of the heart and lungs over time.

The rowing machine can be used for steady-state endurance training, where the user maintains a consistent pace for a longer duration, as well as high-intensity interval training (HIIT), which further boosts cardiovascular performance by challenging the heart to recover between bursts of high-effort rowing. This dual capability in improving stamina makes rowing an excellent choice for enhancing cardiovascular conditioning.

In contrast, other options diverge from the primary benefits associated with rowing. Focusing exclusively on upper body strength is inaccurate since rowing engages both upper and lower body muscles equally, rather than limiting the workout to upper body exercises. Limiting calorie expenditure is counterproductive; rowing is well-known for being a calorie-torching activity, enhancing weight loss efforts. Lastly, rowing does not reduce muscle flexibility; rather, it can contribute positively to flexibility when performed with proper form and technique as it involves a full range of