Row row row your boat

Scott Schwab:

Looking for a great workout? If you are a gym goer, seek out and destroy the rowing machine. It works so many different parts of your body, that I would consider it a full body workout. As you strap into the stirrups, realize that you may not be a professional rower, which was one of my issues. It seems like no matter what activity that I do, I go in thinking that it is going to be simple. The next day, when I cannot breath correctly, it seems to be the reality that I still need to "take it easy", like Jack Black would say in Nacho Libre.

However, the bending, twisting, and pulling helps to strengthen the lower back as well as the side area or love handles. As you pull back you are using not only your arms, but much of your upper back, shoulder, and abs. We have spoken in past posts about the importance of having a strong back. Many of peoples battles with flabby abs and a weak stomach relate to a weak back. The core is the most basic, but vital area that needs to have some attention. This is the area in which we carry much of our bad weight. Having excess fat around our major organs, is the most dangerous area for fat to accumulate. So do yourself a favor and take a couple days a week and jump on the rowing machine.

For those of you at home that want to have some simulated fun, put your feet with shoes on under the couch or coffee table. Something that is preferably as low to the ground as possible. Take a couple of light weight dumbbells and hold them in mid-air as you move back and forth. You will be sliding your buns on the floor, so make sure that you are wearing something suitable for the slide. The more movement the better. Especially as it relates to getting the dumbbells up and in front of your feet. As you move back, make sure the dumbbells are close to your chest as you are sliding your buns on the carpet, until your legs are straight and you are leaning as far back as possible. Let me know what you think. It is a classic in my mind and is going to be more apart of my routine as a look to eliminate the elusive muffins that have snuck up on me over the summer.