Stationary Bike vs Rowing Machine
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 Stationary Bike and Rowing Machine for Better Comparison.
Planfit Users' Choice about Stationary Bike vs Rowing Machine : 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. Stationary Bike and Rowing Machine differ in the muscles they load, the equipment they need, and how hard they are to learn — the comparison below covers each.
How Stationary Bike and Rowing Machine Differ
| What differs | Stationary Bike | Rowing Machine |
|---|---|---|
| Muscles worked | quads, hamstrings, glutes, and calves | back, quads, chest, hamstrings, glutes, calves, and triceps |
| Difficulty | 1 of 5 | 1 of 5 |
| Sessions logged by Planfit users | 22,212 sessions | 528 sessions |
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!
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!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for Cardio, Stationary Bike or Rowing Machine?
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 Stationary Bike and Rowing Machine work the same muscles?
Not quite. Stationary Bike loads quads, hamstrings, glutes, and calves, and Rowing Machine loads back, quads, chest, hamstrings, glutes, calves, and triceps.
What equipment do Stationary Bike and Rowing Machine need?
Stationary Bike needs a machine, and Rowing Machine 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.

