People who are truly serious about their own fitness often think of having their own home gym. It can be a place of peace and contemplation as well as a location where you can improve your own physique, or a dedicated workout spot for you and your friends to pump yourselves up.

I'm sure it has crossed your mind to fill up your gym with fitness machines, and you have eagerly read various fitness sites that told you most of these machines are not only useless but some are actually dangerous. Viewing all these slick ads you might be wondering which actually can hurt you in a good way or in a bad way.

A rowing machine offers you great valued gains compared to its low cost. It is a known fact that it is not a highly versatile tool like a barbell or an exercise ball, and it might be a quite expensive acquisition, however it is not as expensive as a good treadmill.

Part of the huge price difference between top of the line rowing machines and top of the line treadmills are the complicated mechanics and motors and ultra-sturdy frame of the latter that have to withstand pounding from people weighing 300 lbs or more. The former, on the other hand, can use simple parts made well, which always cost less than well-made complicated parts.

A rowing machine is just at versatile as any other cardiovascular equipment. You can decide if you want to work out by time, distance or endurance also. You can incorporate the upper body as well. You can't do that on other equipment like stepping machines or bicycles.

A rowing machine, however, does have limitations. It is not particularly useful for developing abs, triceps, chest, or shoulders. Those beach muscles will need additional work in order to balance out what the rowing machine will do for your back, biceps, legs, and butt. Regarding your legs, however, there is generally only one movement pattern involved with using the rowing machine. Therefore, you should vary your leg exercises so that you don't run the risk of developing strain injuries from too much repetition.