In the fitness world, there is always debate about which type of exercise is better for you. Some say that rowing is the best way fully exercise all of your body’s muscles, while others say that cycling is a more efficient way to burn calories. So, which is better for you: Rowing or cycling?

In this article, we will dive into the key differences between these two exercises and how to include them in your workout routine. 

What are the key differences between rowing and cycling? 

Let’s take a look at some of the things that make cycling different from rowing.

Rowing is a full-body workout that engages nearly all of your body’s major muscles, including your quadriceps, deltoids, and core abdominal muscles. Cycling, on the other hand, is a lower-body exercise that strengthens the muscles in your quads, limbs, knees, and calves. 

For low-intensity exercises, rowing burns more calories than cycling. However, when you switch to a high-intensity workout, cycling ultimately burns more calories. Of course, this depends on several factors, like how long you’re training for.

What are the benefits of cycling? 

Cycling is a great way to explore your surroundings and see things that you might not otherwise see. Whether you are cycling around your local neighborhood or taking on a longer journey, you are sure to experience the world in a new and exciting way.

It also has awe-amazing health benefits like: 

Cycling improves cardiovascular fitness

Cycling increases blood circulation to and from your heart. This reduces your risk of developing heart disease and stroke.

It is ideal for all ages 

Cycling strengthens your muscles, bones, and joints, making it a great low-impact form of exercise for people of all ages. You can do it even if you have existing injuries or health conditions. It is very different from many other forms of exercise, which may aggravate old injuries or cause them to worsen.

Cycling doesn’t take too much time 

Cycling is also a very efficient form of exercise, meaning you can get a great workout even if you only have a short time. For example, thirty minutes of cycling burns about 200 calories. It is perfect for busy people who might need more time to commit to a longer exercise regime.

What are the benefits of rowing? 

Rowing is not only a great way to get fit and stay active, but it is also a great way to explore your environment (if you’re a fan of outdoor rowing). 

Rowing engages all of your body 

Rowing is a full-body workout which means it is a great way to exercise all of your major muscle groups. Rowing also uses a lot of smaller muscles, which helps to tone your body.

It improves your mental health 

Rowing helps your body release endorphins. Endorphins are hormones that relieve stress and make you feel good about yourself. 

Which exercise style will get you more flexible: rowing or cycling? 

There’s no simple answer to the question of which exercise will make you more flexible: rowing or cycling. It depends on several factors, including your current fitness level, the intensity and duration of your workouts, and your genetic makeup.

That said, rowing and cycling are excellent forms of exercise for increasing flexibility. Let’s take a closer look at how each one can help you become more flexible.

Rowing is a full-body workout that uses all of the major muscle groups. This means that you work not only your back and leg muscles but also your arms, shoulders, and core. This can help to lengthen and stretch all of your muscles, making you more flexible.

Cycling, on the other hand, primarily works the leg muscles. While this can still help to lengthen and stretch your muscles, it may not be as effective as rowing in increasing overall flexibility.

Why you should add rowing and cycling to your workout routine

Rowing and cycling both help you to build acrobatic fitness. Acrobatic fitness is the ability to perform multiple airstreams or flips quickly without tiring or injury. This means that both rowing and cycling can help improve your overall fitness by increasing your ability to perform physical feats that require a lot of coordination and endurance.

Rowing and cycling are two sports that often go hand-in-hand. Rowing provides an excellent workout for arms and legs, while cycling helps build endurance and cardiovascular fitness. Together, they provide a well-rounded fitness program to help people reach their goals! 

You can find and book rowing and cycling classes near you on ClassPass!