I know...most New Years Resolutions are pretty pointless, I mean most people love to say all the things they are going to change but few actually go through with it. The way I see it if you really want to change your life you shouldn't need a new year to motivate you, it should just be something that you want to do.
Despite this I have made a New Years Resolution to improve my overall health and fitness, and in doing so I decided to purchase home fitness equipment. Now, I did a lot of research and there are some really interesting products out there on the market but in the end I decided that a rowing machine would be the best choice for me. In fact it is probably the best choice for most people because it offers a true full body workout unlike a treadmill for example.
What are the main benefits of a rowing machine?
Firstly, it works both lower and upper body muscle groups at the same time.
Secondly, it offers a very powerful cardiovascular workout which is great for a healthy heart and also for burning those calories.
Lastly, it is very easy on your joints which is beneficial for everybody but especially those with problems here.
How to choose a rowing machine
Deciding which is the best rowing machine can be tough so it is important to read some rowing machine reviews such as these. I decided in the end to go for the Concept2 Model D as it is widely consider by professionals and fitness enthusiasts alike to be the ultimate rowing machine. It is fairly pricey, I purchased it from Amazon for $900 but the way I see it is that if it lasts more than 2 years it has paid for itself in terms of gym membership payments.
It really isn't necessary to spend as much money as I did because there are some really solid budget options out there that will still get you fit. They may not offer such a realistic rowing experience or come with an advanced computer but if your goal is to just burn some calories then something like the Kettler Favorit will work just fine.
Even if you are on a real budget you can choose something like the Stamina Body Trac Glider 1050 which costs less than $200 and will get the job done. This one is also great for those who have limited storage space in their homes as it folds up nicely.
Summary
So now you know my goal, it will hopefully keep me accountable throughout this year and I hope to share some positive progress in the future. At the same time I wish everyone else the best of luck with their own goals for the new year, especially those like me who are making a real push to get fit. Let me know in the comments below how you plan on improving your health this year.