Thoughts on Rowing Machines?

[Drunkagain]

Well it's the new year and I need to start working out again. I've decided against joining a gym for now since my free time is tight. After looking around some it seems like a air rowing machine would be a good fit for what I'm looking for. I already have a decent free weight set and want to add a good cardio workout to the weight lifting.

The model I'm considering is a Concept2 Model C or D. One of these will run me from around $500 - $1000 depending on the model and wether I go new or used.

Most of what i've read about rowing machines say they are pretty effecient calorie burners and fairly low impact. If anyone has an opinion on this I'd like to hear it. I've never worked out using a rowing machine before, so if theres a big downside to it, now would be the time for me to find out. For what I'm looking at spending would I be better off maybe looking at elliptical machines?

Thanks for any help.

[CJNY]

The most important thing is whether you will use it regularly. If one type of machine is better in this regard than another then it is a clearly superior choice.

As for rowers, you can't go wrong with the Concept II. Aside from its bomb-proof construction, one really neat thing about it is that you can compare your times to others on their website (broken down by size and age). Some of those folks are really fit!

[HJHJ]

You can't go wong with a C2 rowing machine.

It really is the ultimate exercise machine - the best cardiovascular workout, it uses allmajor muscle groups, is very low impact and will get you fitter than anything else. It is also well nigh indestructible.

In fact, throw away the rest of your equipment and just use the rowing machine - you will be fitter than you ever have been.

Thousands of rowers (the fittest athletes in the world) can't be wrong.

[jimmyv]

One minor consideration with rowing machines: they are often obnoxiously loud. So sometimes the television is drowned out, and those nearby can get ticked off at the noise. Not a dealbreaker, by any stretch, but perhaps worth thinking about.