Rowing Machine or Bike: Which Packs on More Muscle?

Key Takeaways

• Rowing machines work both upper and lower body muscles.
• Exercise bikes focus on the lower body, effectively targeting your legs and glutes.
• Rowing machines and exercise bikes both burn significant calories.
• Exercise bikes are user-friendly and great for beginners.
• Both machines provide excellent cardiovascular benefits and contribute to muscle building in different ways.

Rowing Machine vs Bike: Which One Is Better to Build Muscles?

When deciding between a rowing machine and an exercise bike, think about how each one targets different muscle groups. Understanding this can help you choose the machine that best supports your muscle-building goals.

At SOLE Fitness, we're proud to offer the best treadmills for your home or gym. These machines are crafted to meet the highest standards of quality and performance, ensuring they are ideal for anyone - from fitness novices to seasoned athletes. Featured Product SOLE Bikes: Starting at $1,099.99, SOLE bikes are the top choice for durability, ergonomic design, and competitive pricing. Ideal for both fitness enthusiasts and beginners, they offer a superior cycling experience with smooth, quiet operation and user-friendly consoles for easy progress tracking. Adjustable seating and handlebars ensure ultimate comfort, while compatibility with heart rate monitors optimizes workouts. Known for their build quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction, SOLE bikes also boast exceptional warranties and customer service, making them the best choice for a gym-quality workout at home. For unmatched quality and performance, choose SOLE bikes. SOLE SR550 Rowing Machine: Priced at $1,499.99, the SOLE SR550 rowing machine makes exercise more enjoyable with an ultra-smooth air and eddy current resistance motion to create a realistic 'on the water' sensation. With a 10.1-inch touch screen, built-in apps, and screen mirroring capabilities, this rower provides an immersive workout experience.

Get a full-body workout with a rowing machine that engages all your major muscle groups.

Rowing Machines: Full-Body Focus

Rowing machines are known for giving you a full-body workout by engaging multiple muscle groups at the same time. When you row, you work your legs, core, back, and arms, making it a true total-body exercise, helping build muscle and boosting overall strength and endurance.

Here’s how rowing machines work your muscles:

• Legs: The first push-off, called the “drive”, works your quads, hamstrings, and calves.
• Core: Keeping proper form uses your core muscles, engaging your abs and obliques.
• Back: The rowing motion activates your upper and lower back muscles, like the lats.
• Arms: The final part of the stroke works your biceps, triceps, and shoulders.

Exercise Bikes: Lower-Body Power

Exercise bikes excel at lower-body training. They target your legs and glutes, making them great for building strength and toning these areas.

Here’s how exercise bikes work your muscles:

• Quads: These muscles are heavily used when you pedal, especially with higher resistance.
• Hamstrings: The upward pull of the pedal activates your hamstrings, ensuring a balanced leg workout.
• Glutes: Your glutes stay engaged throughout the pedaling motion, helping tone and strengthen your behind.
• Calves: Your calves work to control the pedal motion, particularly during the push-off phase.

Rowing Machine vs Bike: Muscle Engagement

Rowing machines engage almost every major muscle group, providing a balanced, full-body workout. Bikes focus on the lower body and deliver targeted low-impact strengthening.

Muscle Group	Rowing Machine	Exercise Bike
Quads	High	High
Hamstrings	High	Medium
Glutes	High	High
Calves	Medium	High
Core	High	Low
Back	High	Low
Arm	High	Low

Don’t have much room? Then the exercise bike is perfect for you.

Rowing Machine vs Bike: Cardio & Endurance

Rowing machines and exercise bikes are both great for heart health.

• Calorie Burn: Both are great for burning calories, but rowing usually burns more per hour.
• Intensity: Rowing is high-intensity, while bikes are better for steady, paced cardio.
• Endurance: Bikes are great for building endurance through longer, steady workouts.

Rowing Machine vs Bike: Cost & Space

When choosing between a rowing machine and an exercise bike, consider both cost and space.

• Cost: Rowing machines can be expensive, with some costing over $2,000. In comparison, bikes are usually more affordable. SOLE bikes give you a lot of value for the price, offering comfort, durability, and cool features without breaking the bank.
• Space: Rowing machines need more room, so they’re better suited for larger workout areas. But if space is tight, the SOLE SR550 Rowing Machine has a folding design and is easy to move, making it a great option for saving space while still getting a quality workout. Bikes are more compact and require less space.

Rowing Machine vs Bike: Find Your Perfect Fit

Both rowing machines and exercise bikes bring unique strengths to your fitness routine and are solid investments for building muscle. Rowers give you a full-body workout, engage multiple muscles and burn lots of calories. Bikes focus on your lower body and are easier to use, especially if you’re new to working out or have joint issues.

Ready to Build Muscle? Choose SOLE Fitness

Ready to buff up your muscle-building routine? Here are two top machines from SOLE that can help you hit your goals:

SOLE LCB Upright Bike: If you’re focused on strengthening your lower body, the SOLE LCB is a great choice, delivering a smooth and quiet ride with its precision flywheel. The adjustable seat keeps you comfortable, and with the SOLE+ app, you can track your progress and stay motivated.

SOLE SR550 Rowing Machine: For a full-body workout, the SOLE SR550 is the way to go. The machine combines air and magnetic resistance for a smooth rowing experience, similar to being on the water. With a 10.1” touchscreen, built-in apps, and a foldable design, this machine gives you a complete workout while fitting nicely into your home gym.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which Machine Is Better for Building Overall Muscle?
A rowing machine is better for building overall muscle because it engages both the upper and lower body. The rowing motion targets multiple muscle groups providing a complete workout that promotes full-body strength.

Can an Exercise Bike Build Lower-Body Muscles?
Yes, an exercise bike is highly effective for building lower-body muscles, particularly the quads, hamstrings, calves, and glutes.

How Much Space Do I Need For Each Machine?
Rowing machines require more floor space as they are longer and bulkier. Exercise bikes are more compact.

How Do SOLE Equipment Compare for Muscle-Building?
SOLE bikes are ideal if you're focusing on lower-body strength, with adjustable resistance to target your legs and glutes. The SOLE SR550 Rowing Machine offers a full-body workout that engages both upper and lower muscle groups.