Rowing Machine vs. Elliptical: Which Machine Burns More Calories?

Rowing machine vs. elliptical. Read more to learn which cardio is more effective and which machine burns more calories.

If you’re trying to decide between a rowing machine and an elliptical at the gym, you might wonder which will help you burn more calories. Unfortunately, there’s no straightforward answer. However, we can look at each machine’s science to see which one will most likely help you achieve your fitness goals.

The Benefits of Rowing Machines

Rowing machines are becoming increasingly popular as people look for new ways to get a cardio workout.

But what are the benefits of rowing machines, and how do they compare to other cardio options like ellipticals?

Rowing exercise offers a full-bodied workout that works the arms and upper torso, making it an excellent choice for people who want to tone their entire bodies. Elliptical trainers focus mainly on the legs and don’t include arm exercises, so they’re not ideal if you want to target specific muscle groups.

Rowing is one of the best exercises for weight loss because it burns calories at an extremely high rate. A 150-pound individual can expect to consume approximately 600 kilocalories during a one-and-a-half-to two-hour workout on a rowing machine. However, elliptical machines tend to burn fewer calories than treadmills, with the same person typically only able to burn around 300 calories per hour.

A rower is a good choice if you want an exercise bike that gives you a full-body workout and helps you burn more fat.

The Benefits of Elliptical Machines

Elliptical machines are even more popular than rowing machines.

Ellipticals offer a variety of benefits over traditional rowing machines. First, they can provide a full-body workout, which simultaneously works your upper and lower body. Second, ellipticals are low-impact, putting less strain on your joints than running or other high-impact activities. Finally, ellipticals can be more fun and motivating than rowing machines, with many models featuring built-in entertainment systems and other features.

How does a rowing machine work?

Rowing machines are great for working out, but how do they work? You sit in a sliding seat and use your legs and arms to move the handlebars back and forth. This movement propels the oar through the water, moving the boat. The resistance of the water creates a resistance for your muscles to work against, making rowing an incredibly effective workout.

How does the elliptical work?

The elliptical is a great exercise machine for your lower body. It’s easy to use and can be used by anyone, regardless of their fitness level. The elliptical works on all major muscle groups in the body, including the legs, glutes, core muscles, back, arms, and shoulders. This makes it an excellent choice if you want to tone up or lose weight.

An elliptical trainer consists of an upright standing frame with handlebars and foot plates attached to pedals that rotate in a circular or oval path. As you stand on the footplates and push and pull on the handlebars, your legs move in a smooth gliding motion, similar to cross-country skiing.

Important tips to remember to burn calories and lose weight

There are a lot of different ways that you can work out and try to lose weight. However, one of the most common questions is: What is the best way to burn calories? This question can be difficult because it depends on the person and their goals. However, a rower or an elliptical are two of the most popular methods for burning calories.

So, which machine burns more calories?

The answer to this question depends on a few different factors. First, it depends on how hard you are working out. If you work out at a lower intensity, you will generally burn fewer calories no matter your exercise. Second, it also depends on your weight and body composition. Heavier people will usually burn more calories than lighter people because they have more mass that needs to be moved. Finally, it also depends on your level of fitness. People who are already in good shape will generally burn fewer calories than people who are just starting their journey to fitness because their bodies are more efficient at using energy.

So, considering all these factors, which machine is better for burning calories? The answer is that they both have their pros and cons. The elliptical generally offers a low-impact workout that is easy on your joints, while the rower offers a high-intensity workout that can increase your heart rate. So, if you are looking for a machine that will help you burn more calories, it depends on your individual goals and preferences.

Rowing Machine vs. Elliptical: Key Similarities

Rowing machines and ellipticals are both excellent choices for a cardio workout. But which one is better for burning calories?

Here’s a look at the key similarities and differences between these two popular workout machines:

Rowing machines and ellipticals are both low-impact, meaning they’re gentle on your joints.

Both machines can be adjusted to vary the intensity of your workout.

Rowing machines and ellipticals provide a full-body workout. However, the elliptical may be better for working your upper body, while the rowing machine may be better for working your lower body.

Rowing machines and ellipticals can both be used for weight loss. However, the rowing machine may be more effective for burning calories and losing weight.

Rowing Machine vs. Elliptical: Key Differences

Rowing and elliptical machines are both popular choices for a cardio workout. But which one is better for burning calories?

The answer depends on a few factors, including your weight, the intensity of your workout, and the machine you’re using. In general, though, the rowing machine will give you a better workout.

Key differences between these two machines:

-Rowing machines work more muscles. Ellipticals focus mainly on your legs, but rowing machines also work your arms, back, and core. This means you’ll burn more calories in the same amount of time.

Rowing machines provide a better cardio workout. Ellipticals are low-impact, so they’re easy on your joints. But rowing is better if you want to get your heart rate up and sweat.

-Rowing machines are more adjustable. With an elliptical, you’re pretty much stuck in one position. But with a rowing machine, you can adjust the resistance and seat height to suit your body and workout goals.

Rowing Machine vs. Elliptical: Which Machine Burns More Calories?

This question has no definitive answer since it depends on several factors, including exercise intensity, duration, and individual metabolism. However, some experts believe that rowing machines may offer a slight edge over ellipticals regarding calorie burning.

Rowing machines can give your upper and lower body a good workout, whereas elliptical trainers tend to focus more on the lower body. This means that you may be able to row at a higher intensity on a rowing machine, which could lead to more calories being burned.

Additionally, the rowing motion may help to work muscles often neglected on ellipticals, such as the lats (large muscles on the sides of the back). This could again lead to more calories being burned overall.

Of course, the best way to burn calories is to find an activity you enjoy and stick with it!

The answer depends on the intensity of your workout.

It depends on your exercise, how long you’re doing it, your fitness level, whether you’re using weights and your heart rate during the activity.

The more intense the exercise is, the more calories you’ll burn in a given amount of time. For example, if someone walks at a normal pace for one hour with an average heart rate of 50 beats per minute and burns 300 calories, and then another person walks for two hours at a faster pace with an average heart rate of 75 beats per minute and burns 600 calories, then this would mean that during both workouts they burned 300 calories each hour—but if we consider only their “working” parts (not including rest breaks), then this person who walked faster was working harder than his counterpart who walked slower but longer.

The same principle applies when comparing rowing machines with elliptical trainers: Both machines offer tremendous cardiovascular benefits because they raise your heart rate and keep it elevated throughout most of your workout session—but if you have superior fitness levels or choose to increase resistance levels on these machines, then they can be used interchangeably depending on which activity is preferred by each user!

An elliptical trainer may burn more calories for a low-to-moderate-intensity workout.

An elliptical trainer may burn more calories if you’re looking for a low-to-moderate-intensity workout.

The elliptical trainer is easier to use than the rowing machine. Most people find it easier to learn and perform than a rowing machine because no coordination is involved. This means that even beginners can get started on an elliptical trainer right away. However, since it’s a lower impact than the rowing machine, you’ll have to work harder if your goal is to burn more calories or improve cardiovascular health.

At a high intensity, a rowing machine may burn more calories.

The rowing machine may be a better choice if you’re trying to burn calories. A rowing machine is more efficient and burns more total calories than an elliptical trainer at a high intensity—when your heart rate is over 90 percent of its maximum,

However, an elliptical trainer might be right if you’re looking for a lower-intensity exercise that keeps your heart pumping. At lower intensities (around 60 percent of your maximum heart rate), ellipticals can burn more total calories per minute than rowing machines because of their longer stride length.

Using a rowing machine properly is important because improper form can lead to injury.

Rowing machines are often touted as the best way to burn calories, but they have some drawbacks. While the elliptical machine is more efficient at burning calories, using it in a crowded gym is not always possible. If you’re looking for an alternative that will help you burn fat, then consider using a rower instead of an elliptical machine (or vice versa).

It’s important to remember that getting injured while using either type of exercise equipment is possible—especially if you aren’t doing so properly! Follow these simple tips:

• Don’t arch your back or let your knees bow inward; this puts extra strain on your lower back and knees.
• Keep your arms close together with elbows close to the body; don’t cross them over or stick them out straight away from the body.
• Don’t round off your back or allow your hips to rise too high during movement.

A rowing machine engages more muscles than an elliptical trainer.

A rowing machine also recruits more muscles than an elliptical trainer, particularly in your back and shoulders. The rower’s fixed handles force you to use a wider range of motion than on an elliptical, which makes it easier to engage your core muscles and build strength in your legs, back, and arms.

The number of calories burned on the elliptical varies based on weight and intensity. Most people burn between 600 and 1,000 calories per hour while working out at moderate intensity. However, other variables can also affect this number, like height or body composition (for example, being overweight).

An elliptical trainer has a lower impact than a rowing machine.

• Elliptical machines have a lower impact than rowing machines. An elliptical is better for your joints if you have joint issues.
• Rowers put more stress on your knees and back, leading to injury if you’re not careful.
• Rowing is considered a more natural movement than an elliptical machine, so it may be easier on your joints in the long run. But if you have knee or back problems that prevent you from doing activities like running or cycling without pain, then an elliptical might be the right choice for you!

The elliptical trainer is also easier to learn than the rower.

The elliptical trainer is also easier to learn than the rower. It’s a good choice for beginners and people new to exercise since it’s designed for low impact on joints. This means you can get a more intense workout without worrying about injuring yourself or feeling sore the next day.

The rowing machine requires more coordination than an elliptical machine, making it harder for new exercisers to use. Additionally, because you’re balanced on one foot while rowing instead of both feet like with an elliptical machine or treadmill (or no feet at all like with steppers), some people find that they are less stable when using a rowing machine—especially if they’re heavier or have lower body strength than average.

A rowing machine or an elliptical trainer will work if you want a cardio workout that burns calories.

A rowing machine or an elliptical trainer will work if you want a cardio workout that burns calories. The key is finding the machine that is most comfortable to use and fits your budget. If you have space constraints, an elliptical trainer may be the better option as they are smaller than rowers. However, if you want to do more than one exercise at once, then a rower would be better because it has equipment like flywheels, arms, and seats that move independently.

Rowing machines can be used by people of all fitness levels, while elliptical trainers are best suited for those with some already established fitness level. In addition, rowing machines offer variety in their workouts by allowing users to adopt different seat positions during exercises, which makes them feel fresh each time they use them. In contrast, with ellipticals, there is less variety regarding where on the platform users place themselves when doing an exercise.

FAQ

Conclusion

Both machines are great options to burn calories and improve your fitness level. A rowing machine or an elliptical trainer will work if you want a cardio workout that burns calories. The answer depends on the intensity of your workout, what you want from each type of exercise machine (like low-impact), and how much time you have available for working out at home or in a gym.

References

Alexios Papaioannou

As a veteran fitness technology innovator and the founder of GearUpToFit.com, Alex Papaioannou stands at the intersection of health science and artificial intelligence. With over a decade of specialized experience in digital wellness solutions, he’s transforming how people approach their fitness journey through data-driven methodologies.