• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Hashi Mashi

Fitness Tips for Your Mind and Body

  • Body Transformation
    • Change Your Body: the Ultimate Guide
    • How deadlifts change your body
    • Getting Fit at 50 before and after photos
    • Swimming body transformation
    • 12-week body transformation plan
    • How rowing changes your body
    • Running body transformation
    • Rock climbing body transformation
    • How cycling changes your body
    • Assault bike body transformation
    • Skinny fat to muscular
    • CrossFit Body Transformation
    • How kickboxing changes your body
    • Types of Workouts for Body Transformation
  • Diet
    • How to lose 20 pounds in 3 months
    • Deadlift calories burned
    • Lifting weights to lose belly fat
    • Clean Eating for Beginners
    • Benefits of losing 20 pounds
    • How to lose 75lbs in 6 months
    • The Obesity Code summary
    • Deadlift for fat loss
  • Exercises
    • Deadlifts
      • Deadlift muscles worked
      • Benefits of deadlifts
      • How to deadlift
      • Deadlift accessory lifts
      • Deadlift alternative for bad back
    • Squats
      • Squat muscles worked
      • Benefits of squats
      • How to squat
      • Squat accessory lifts
      • Squats for body transformation
    • Bench Press
      • Bench Press Benefits
      • Improve Your Bench
      • Incline vs Flat Bench Press
      • Floor Press VS Bench Press
    • Power Cleans
      • Power Cleans Muscles Worked
      • Power Clean VS Deadlift
      • Power Clean VS Squat Clean
    • Overhead Presses
      • Overhead Press Muscles Worked
      • Overhead Press Accessory Exercises
    • Chin-Ups / Pull-Ups
      • Neutral grip pull-ups muscles worked
      • Pull Ups benefits, muscles worked
      • Chin Up Muscles Worked
      • Chin-Ups vs Pull-Ups
    • Push-ups
      • 100 pushups a day
      • Pushup muscles worked
      • Benefits of pushups
      • Exercises to Improve Pushups
  • Workouts
    • 3×5 workout program
    • Army prt exercises
    • Strength Training for Men Over 50
    • Bodybuilding over 50 workout routine + PDF
    • Weight lifting for weight loss
    • Minimalist training
    • Powerbuilding program + PDF
    • Strength Training for Women Over 50
    • Beginner deadlift workout routine
    • Deadlift Program
    • Beginner squat workout routine
    • 5/3/1 for Beginners
  • Equipment
    • Weightlifting
      • Olympic Barbells
      • Elbow Sleeves
      • Knee Sleeves
      • Weightlifting Shoes
      • Weightlifting Belts
      • Gifts for Weightlifters
      • Bumper Plates
      • Dumbbells
      • Weight Benches
      • Cable Machines
    • Deadlift Equipment
      • Best shoes for squats & deadlifts
      • Deadlift shin guards
      • Deadlift bars
      • DIY deadlift platform
      • Best lifting straps
      • Deadlift socks
    • Calisthenics
      • Calisthenic Equipment
      • Weighted Vests
      • Resistance Bands
      • Power Towers
    • Supplements
      • Best Protein Powders
      • Supplements for Men Over 50
      • Multivitamins for Men Over 50
      • Best Budget Probiotics
    • Cardio
      • Best Air Bikes
      • Rowing Machines Under 500
      • Walking Shoes for Men
      • Compact Treadmills
      • Treadmills for a Heavy Person
      • Recumbent Bikes
      • Budget Ellipticals
Home » Spin Bike VS Rowing Machine: Which Exercise Is Best for Fitness

Spin Bike VS Rowing Machine: Which Exercise Is Best for Fitness

Updated November 23, 2022 by Rich

11 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet

Rowing machine VS Spin Bike – Introduction

Spin Bike vs Rowing Machine: Which Exercise Is Best for Fitness? 

Getting fit and losing weight often means deciding between two different options.

Because of time constraints, your budget, space available, or just your personal preferences, you’ll probably need to choose between things like: 

  • Training at home or joining a gym 
  • Doing cardio or lifting weights 
  • Free weights or bodyweight exercises 
  • Low-fat or low-carb dieting 
  • Time-restricted eating or three meals and snacks per day 

Ultimately, all these options can help you get fit and lose weight, but unless you have an inexhaustible supply of time, money, and energy, you will probably need to pick one option in favor of another.  

In most cases, this will be the dietary or exercise approach that you can stick with.

After all, your results are almost entirely dependent on consistency. 

Whether you exercise at home or in a gym, one decision you’ll probably face is choosing between using a spin bike or a rowing machine for your cardio workout.

This is not an easy decision to make!

To help you with your choice, in this article, we reveal the benefits, pros, and cons of spin bikes vs rowing machines so you can choose the best one for you. 

Spin Bike 101 

Spinning bikes are stationary exercise bikes with a large, heavy flywheel for resistance.

They have mechanical friction or electromagnetic brakes, so you can quickly and easily adjust the pedaling resistance. 

Most spin bikes are set up like road racing bikes.

They have narrow saddles, sporty handlebars and are usually fitted with toe clips.

However, unlike a regular bike, the pedals and flywheel are fixed, meaning you cannot stop pedaling and freewheel (coast) forward. 

Spin bikes are ideal for a wide variety of workouts, including: 

  • High-intensity interval training (HIIT) 
  • Sprint interval training (SIT) 
  • Low-intensity steady state (LISS) cardio 

There are also online spin classes to follow, and you can mimic an outdoor bike ride by imagining a route and changing the resistance up and down to simulate hills and flat sections. 

Rowing Machine 101 

While spin bikes come in a pretty standard design, rowing machines are more varied.

For example, there are machines with hydraulic arms, fans, water tanks, and rowers that use electromagnetics for resistance. 

However, while the braking systems vary, rowing basics remain the same.

You sit on a seat, hold the handles, and bend and straighten your legs as you pull with your arms. 

Like spinning bikes, rowers can be used for a range of workouts, including HIIT, LISS, and SIT. 

Spin Bike vs Rowing Machine

Now that you know a little more about these different workout machines, let’s take a look at their fitness and weight loss effects to see which is best! 

Muscles trained

Contrary to what you might think, both of these fitness machines work your lower and upper body.

Admittedly spinning is primarily a lower body exercise, but you can’t avoid using your arms and core, too, especially during sprints and climbs. 

However, rowing uses your lower and upper body equally.

It’s virtually a full-body exercise.

In fact, the only muscles not used much during rowing are your chest and triceps, and that’s easily fixed with a set or two of push-ups. 

Winner: Rowing machine! 

Muscle building 

While neither spinning nor rowing will give you massive muscles, both have the potential to increase muscle size and strength, albeit quite modestly.

Using a spin bike will tone and strengthen your quadriceps, hamstrings, calves, and glutes while giving your upper body a small but worthwhile workout. 

In contrast, rowing works your entire lower body, core, arms, and back. 

Of these two, rowing is potentially the better muscle builder as each stroke somewhat replicates the barbell deadlift, which is one of the best muscle-building exercises you can do.

However, spinning could develop your legs more, especially if you do high-resistance climbs and sprints. 

Winner: Rowing machine, but only just 

Fitness effects 

Both of these exercise machines have the potential to increase your fitness.

You can use them for training aerobically and anaerobically as preferred.

They can be used for short, intense workouts like HIIT or longer, slower workouts such as LISS. 

Providing you use them frequently, consistently, and at the right level of intensity, you can spin or row your way to improved fitness. 

Winner: It’s a draw!

Calorie and fat burning 

Like all forms of training, rowing and spinning increase your caloric expenditure.

They both involve large muscle groups, which means it takes a lot of energy to perform these exercises. 

However, because rowing uses more total muscle mass, it has the potential to burn more calories per minute.

But, of course, the actual number of calories burnt will depend on how hard and long you exercise. 

Winner: Rowing machine! 

Ease of use 

Spinning bikes are straightforward to use.

Once you’ve adjusted the height of your saddle and handlebars, all you need to do is strap your feet in and get pedaling.

There are no tricky techniques to master, and you can place your upper body in almost any position to enjoy a comfortable and productive workout. 

In contrast, rowing is a more coordinated activity, and you’ll need to learn how to row correctly for a safe and effective workout. 

The trick to rowing is starting each stroke with a powerful leg thrust and only pulling with your arms as the handle passes over your knees.

Using your arms too soon will reduce power output, make your workout harder than it needs to be, and could even tire your arms out, so you have to stop your workout prematurely.  

That’s not to say that rowing is hard or that you need to hire a crew coach to teach you how to do it.

Most people can master rowing in a couple of workouts.

However, it is a more technical exercise. 

Winner: Spin bike!

Comfort 

Comfort is very subjective and depends on your spin bike or rowing machine and also how you use them.

Some people find spin bike saddles are too firm and narrow and that long workouts cause unnecessary pain.

However, any discomfort can be relieved by using a gel saddle cover or wearing cycling shorts and standing up on the pedals from time to time to give your butt a break. 

On the other hand, rowing seats are usually wider, padded, and more contoured for comfort.

However, you cannot shift around so easily if your butt starts to ache.

Again, though, you can buy an aftermarket gel seat pad, which will make your workout more comfortable. 

So, it’s impossible to say whether you’ll find a spin bike or a rower more comfortable.

However, in most cases, comfort will improve as you get used to your chosen workout machine, and there are always steps you can take to reduce levels of discomfort. 

Winner: It’s a draw!

Space required 

Rowers are long and low while spinning bikes have a smaller footprint but are taller.

That said, most rowers can be stood upright or even folded for easier storage, while this is not usually the case with spin bikes.

However, spin bikes are typically fitted with roller wheels, so you can move them easily should it be necessary for storage. 

Ultimately, you should measure your training area to see how much space you’ve got and whether a spin bike or rower is the best fit. 

Winner: It’s a draw!

Noise during use 

Depending on where you plan on using your workout machine and who you share your home with, noise during use can be a real issue.

For example, treadmills are notoriously loud, and all that pounding can aggravate not just your housemates but your neighbors, too. 

Spinning bikes tend to be very quiet. The flywheels spin smoothly, and even mechanical friction brakes make very little noise.

The only sound should be a light whirring and your increasingly heavy breathing! 

In contrast, some rowers can be noisy, especially those that use a fan for resistance.

Electromagnetic rowers are quieter, so it really depends on the type of rowing machine you use. 

Winner: Spin bikes (but some rowers are pretty quiet, too) 

Spin Bike vs Rowing Machine – Closing Thoughts 

Choosing between a spin bike and a rowing machine is no easy thing; both of them can help you get fit and lose weight.

Rowing and spinning offer many of the same advantages and have a similar number of drawbacks.

Either would be a good choice for a home gym. 

Ideally, the best way to decide between these two different machines is to try them both.

Not for a day but for a couple of weeks to see which one you prefer.

A long-term trial like this is arguably the best way to determine which one is right for you. 

Regardless of which one you pick, providing you use it regularly, consistently, and at the right level of intensity, you’ll be rewarded with a great workout and improved fitness and weight loss. 

After all, there is a reason that both of these machines are so popular! 

Related Posts

  • 7 Best Rowing Machines Under 500 Review – 2023 Buying Guide
  • What Muscles Do Rowing Machines Work + Top Fitness Benefits
  • 13 Remarkable Ways How Rowing Changes Your Body & Life
  • The Best Air Bike for Your Home Gym in 2023 | Fit Apprentice
  • 8 Best Assault Bike Benefits + 7 Workouts for Body Transformation
  • 7 Incredible Cycling Effects On Body Transformation
  • The Best Exercise Equipment to Lose Weight at Home in 2023
  • The 10 Best Strength Training Exercises for Rowing + Workout
11 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet

Filed Under: Body Transformation, Deadlifts

About The Author

Rich Hashimashi AuthorRich is a NASM-CPT (Certified Personal Trainer), Integrative Nutrition Health Coach and the author of Crossing the Bridge From Depression to Life. At the age of 55, he lost 75 pounds in 6 months, and discovered if you transform your body, you can change your life. You can read about his story here and send Rich a message here.

Get Your FREE Body Transformation Guide

Primary Sidebar

Body Transformation Guides

  • Body Transformation: Ultimate Guide | The Fit Apprentice®
  • Strength Training for Men Over 50 + Full-Body Workout
  • The Minimalist Training Home Workout Guide for Strength & Fitness
  • 8 Week Bodybuilding Over 50 Workout Routine + Free PDF
  • 12-Week Body Transformation Workout Plan at Home

Recent Posts

  • Squat Clean vs Power Clean: Benefits + Differences
  • How to Do Supersets to Save Time and Burn More Fat
  • The 20 Pull-Up 50 Push-Up Program – How to Train
  • How to Build an Unstoppable Workout Habit That Gets Results
  • These 10 Benefits of Sleep Transform Your Health and Fitness

One Rep Max Calculator – Fit Apprentice

Enter weight or reps

1 Rep Max:
Show / Hide Intensity Table
% of 1RM Weight Reps

Deadlifts for Beginners

  • How to Deadlift for Beginners – A Step by Step Guide
  • 37 Remarkable Benefits of Deadlifts to Unleash Your Fitness
  • 12 Week Deadlift Program for Beginners in Fitness or Powerlifting

Footer

Change Your Body

Recent Posts

  • Squat Clean vs Power Clean: Benefits + Differences
  • How to Do Supersets to Save Time and Burn More Fat
  • The 20 Pull-Up 50 Push-Up Program – How to Train
  • How to Build an Unstoppable Workout Habit That Gets Results
  • These 10 Benefits of Sleep Transform Your Health and Fitness
  • Isometrics Exercises: How to Build Strength Without Moving
  • Clean Eating for Beginners: The Guide to Getting Started
  • The Best Calisthenic Equipment for Better Home Workouts
  • 7 Best Strength Training Exercises for Boxers + Workout
  • Calisthenics Bicep Workout: 7 Best Exercises for Bigger Arms

Change Your Life

Change Your Life

  • Bench Press
  • Body Transformation
  • Deadlifts
  • Motivation
  • NASM Certification
  • Pushups
  • Squats
  • Weight Loss

Follow Hashi Mashi

Pinterest

The Fit Apprentice® is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Never Give Up

Remember when you were
in shape back in the day?

Do you think that transforming your
physique is a pipe dream?

You are in the right place if you want
to learn how to get fit, change your
body, and change your life.

But do not know where to start.

Here is how...
Start Here
  • About
  • Privacy policy
  • Affiliate link disclosure
  • Terms of use
  • Contact

The Fit Apprentice® Fitness Blog is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice, treatment or diagnosis.
Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.



Copyright © 2012–2023 The Fit Apprentice® powered by HashiMashi.com - Hosted on BigScoots
DMCA.com Protection Status