York 2 in 1 Combination Cycle/Rower

Advantages: Many
Disadvantages: Few

...of machine. Quite simply, Water Rowers simulate real rowing action, through the use of a system of belts and paddles that rotate round a tank of water. The simulated action offers all the benefits of real water rowing (the feel, the sounds and the quality of exercise) combined with the luxury of being able to do it at home. I duly ordered one – and here’s a run down of my experiences to date. The Benefits of a Water Rower = Rowing is universally recognised as the perfect aerobic exercise – a fact of which I was unaware before I purchased one. Rowing causes minimal impact on joints and bones, as the entire action is smooth. It is rhythmic, disciplined, exercises the whole body and is completely unrivalled for its physical benefits - you only have to take a look at Olympic rowers to see the evidence of that... Read review

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Advantages: Great machine for developing fitness and losing weight
Disadvantages: Repetition of movement, boredom

...The Concept 2 is the best rowing machine available and can be found in nearly every gym around the world. It is used by people looking for some light exercise and rowers around the world to train for their sport, even at the highest Olympic level. Benefits of the Concept 2 rowing machine Rowing strengthens upper and lower body with a smooth powerful motion. The movement is impact free and uses nearly all muscle groups, hence teaches co-ordination and elevates the heart rate more easily than other activities. Training on the Concept 2 rowing machine is great to lose weight (see examples at bottom), gain fitness and build muscle. The machines last forever and do not break unless they are treated really badly, you are more likely to break than the machine. The low impact form of exercise enable recovery from injury and self... Read review

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Advantages: Good classes, excellent customer service
Disadvantages: No pool

...machines (between 2-6 of each machine). They cover just about everything; there are steppers, several running machines, plenty of cross trainers, 4 rowers, 4 recumbent cycles and 2 normal cycles. They also have a full range of weights machines and free weights. They have made sure that there's an adequate supply of the most popular machines such as the runners and cross trainers, these are always the first to get used up at peak times. The machines are quite tightly packed in, but they are sensibly arranged in lines so you can get between them easily enough (well, depending on excess pork-pie consumption I suppose). It's also air-conditioned, not that it stops me going fire-engine red when running though! There's cardio theatre so you can workout whilst watching the tv or listening to the radio on headphones. There's no way I would join a gym... Read review

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