Which is the BEST Exercise: Running vs. Rowing

This video will provide a thought-out comparison between a variety of fitness factors to determine "which is the better exercise"!

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[MsEBaron]

I am 57 years old and over the last 3 years I am rowing about 6-7Km almost on a daily basis at a constant rate of about 31-32 strokes pm.
It has transformed my body. I now have serious stamina in everything and my body looks more like a 25 year old pro athlete

[tonyb]

Easier on the joints. Full body workout. Rowing gets my vote. Never been chased by a angry dog while rowing 😋

[lazyhunk]

Tried running. Tried Cycling. Didn't worked. But never got regular. Bought a water rowing machine in lockdown. Fits in my room. Everyday infront of my eyes. Working 5 days in a week and getting back in shape.

[johnbouttell]

The best exercise regime is a combination of rowing, running, cycling, hiking and yoga -- plus coffee. Love your channel.

[JFSTL]

I hate running ... until I try the rowing machine I was doing cycling but I fall in love with rowing.

[alfamale]

Rowing, from someone who had a knee replacement three months ago predominantly down to long distance running. Really enjoying my rowing machine, surprisingly

[johncooper]

Most interesting and well presented. I generally agree with your verdict. I am 77 and have recently stopped running after many years as my knees and hips are grumbling. Inspired by one of my granddaughters, an elite rower, I am using the rowing machine more and more, both for general 84% muscle group exercise, and for the challenge of beating my 2k time. About 9.23 at present.

[peteshaw]

I am 78 and I have been running for 45 years; having run distances up to the marathon. However, as I approach 80 I’m starting a rowing program because I can see that running is getting harder on the body. I should be able to keep exercising longer since rowing is less impactful on the body. Thanks for the good comparison.

[groengm]

After 5 months now with treadmill and rower I vote rower now at 5.6 and 66 years and now getting splits down as low as 146 and under 9 minute 2000 metre really makes me totally stoked for the rowing machine. Thanks your always helping to make me better at this .

[contrary]

Just reviewed one of your other videos too. Great info. I used to be a runner from my mid-20s through my late 30s. Then, my knee joints were noticeably deteriorating so, I moved into bicycling everywhere which was a lovely transition. Now, just turning 50 and moving through encroaching menopause when a woman's body becomes even more noticeably sensitive along the shoulders, hips and overall joints I want to transition to something that has even less impact on the body but still allows a workout that I plan to alternate with light weights 2x a week as well as yoga 2x a week. You've convinced me to get a rower! Excited...thank you.🙏

[andreastewart]

2 years later and this is still very informative. As a mature lady, this helps me decide which way to go with the least hardship on my body.

[InconsistentTechDad]

I'm 6'4" and have struggled to lose weight my entire adult life. I lost about 80 lbs a few years ago, but really am still about 30-40 lbs from a truly healthy weight. At my height / weight running just kills my knees... Thanks to this video I really think I'll find a rowing machine to order. Thanks so much for the comparison!

[randyreitenauer]

I've always thought the best exercise is the one you are most likely to do consistently. If you find more joy in rowing, then it is the best. If you love running - it is the best.
One thing that is missing for rowing, road running and readmill running is lateral movement. There, running trails gets the edge.
I give the advantage to running over rowing for increasing one's balance when moving through daily life - as we age and the risks associated with 'taking a fall' increase, good strong, coordinated lower legs becomes more important than burning calories.
But, for the overall total body, low (no) impact, workout? Rowing wins everytime.
These are two great sports, and you can't go wrong responsibly pursuing either.
Great videos, thank you for sharing all the rowing knowledge!

[claudiaramirez]

I don't have any regrets about joining the ROW 20 I'm a beginner to rowing and I already love it. You're an awesome coach!

[themogget]

While you covered everything, each category or point was listed as equally important. Running is cheaper but rowing is more effective. Rowing is a LOT more effective. Even on the cheap machine you showed on high resistance you can get a heavy cardio workout and a strength workout at the same time. While I cannot move a barbell enough to get me gasping for air, or run hard enough to make my butt sore, rowing does both at once and for multiple muscle groups.

[LyndonPatrickSmith]

5:33 love the Ed Whitlock clip - sub 3 hour marathon at age 70+ - he was a machine! I’ve been running for 42 years and agree with everything you’ve said here. In the last couple of years my joints have been rebelling a bit so I have discovered the machine version of rowing. Right now my plan is to do mainly hiking/limited running and combine that with rowing. The 2 sports compliment each other very well. As a runner and running coach I agree that if you are only going to do one exercise or have one machine, go with rowing, especially as you age into the masters categories. I’m looking forward on learning how to row properly with the help of your videos! But running is pretty badass. I miss the sensation of just being able to crank it out!

[MrVanillahise]

My wife and I bought a Hydrow about two months ago. Absolutely love it! On it usually three times a week. The classes they have a great as well. They usually have two or three live classes a day that are put into the library after they are done. My wife also loves that the screen turns for her to do the pilates classes that are included with the membership.

[keltonh]

love this and all your videos I've seen! As both a rower and runner I'd say that both of them together gives you the best result of all. Breaks up the monotony and increases gains in both.

[danebenjaminson]

I started run in 2012 by choice. I went through lots of shoes until I was happy and injury free. I’m now 39 I’m 2023 and my body is not so happy to beyond a 5K. That’s not to say I can’t go further, but I need more time to recover. However, I’ve been rowing for approximately a year near and after learned good form to keep my back pain free. I love putting in a 20 or 30 minute row and I feel the good burn. My fitness goals… feel comfortable in my clothes, be relatively strong and have good endurance and rowing helps me to achieve my goals.

[bernardoneil]

I ran for years and loved that all I needed was a pair of shoes and I could run anywhere. Rowing is easier on my joints, , I can't really run regularly anymore due to knees and back but I can still row. In fact my back feels better when I row regularly. I row on the water which engages additional muscles and balance issues since a boat is not stable liker a rower. My single is only about 10 inches wide at the waterline. The cardiovascular effects of running and rowing at maximum effort are probably equal. think hills when sprinting for runners. A moderate effort row however uses way more effort than a moderate run. Finally if you are going to row on a machine, find a person who actually rows on the water to instruct you. Many of the fitness instructors in gyms do not know what they are talking about.