Rowing Machine vs Stationary Bike
Maximizing Your Cardio Workout Plan
Contents
Rowing Machine burns more per minute than Stationary Bike — MET 8.5 vs 7.5. Compare intensity, joint impact, and form for both Cardio options.
Customize Your Cardio Workout: Explore the Benefits of Rowing Machine and Stationary Bike for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Rowing Machine vs Stationary Bike : Which is Better?
Based on randomly selected data from 1 million completed workouts, Planfit users log Stationary Bike more often — 22,212 sessions compared to 528 for Rowing Machine.
Popularity is not the whole answer. Rowing Machine and Stationary Bike differ in the muscles they load, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Rowing Machine and Stationary Bike Differ
| What differs | Rowing Machine | Stationary Bike |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | back, quads, chest, hamstrings, glutes, calves, and triceps | quads, hamstrings, glutes, and calves |
| Difficulty | 1 of 5 | 1 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 528 sessions | 22,212 sessions |
How to Rowing Machine
Rowing Machine muscles worked: Cardio
Form
- 1. Fix your feet and sit while holding the handle.
- 2. While straightening your legs, lean your body back and pull the handle.
- 3. Pull your elbows to your sides while keeping your abdominal muscles engaged.
Coach's Comment
- Keep your back straight and be careful not to stretch your legs excessively.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Rowing Machine, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Rowing Machine Guide page of our blog!
How to Stationary Bike
Stationary Bike muscles worked: Cardio
Form
- 1. Adjust the height of the saddle so that the leg pressing the pedal does not fully extend and can be slightly bent.
- 2. Relax your shoulders and maintain a straight line with your back while shifting your center of gravity backward.
- 3. When pedaling, always keep your knees in a straight line and be careful not to let them drift outward.
- 4. To build thigh muscles, focus on the downward force in a vertical direction, and for smooth legs, apply pulling force to move the pedal before it reaches the bottom.
Coach's Comment
- Please be careful not to let your knees spread apart or come together.
If you want to know a detailed guide to Stationary Bike, alternative exercises, and its benefits, check it out here. Check out the Stationary Bike Guide page of our blog!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Cardio, Rowing Machine or Stationary Bike?
Planfit users log Stationary Bike more often — 22,212 sessions against 528 for Rowing Machine. Both train Cardio, so pick the one that matches the equipment you have and the muscles you want to load.
Do Rowing Machine and Stationary Bike work the same muscles?
Not quite. Rowing Machine loads back, quads, chest, hamstrings, glutes, calves, and triceps, and Stationary Bike loads quads, hamstrings, glutes, and calves.
What equipment do Rowing Machine and Stationary Bike need?
Rowing Machine needs a machine, and Stationary Bike needs a machine.
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It's a straightforward way to customize a workout plan to meet your unique needs and objectives, ensuring every effort contributes to your fitness journey.

