I have recently started interval training on a rowing machine. I work out at Lifetime Fitness, and the machine is called "The Liferower 9500" It is a computer based machine, with a 13' screen that kind of resembles a video game, only to win you have to ****ing row! I chose this machine because I have very little patience for doing cardio for long periods of time, and with this machine it kind of makes it a game, so it's easier to do and not so boring. I was wondering if anybody else has ever used this machine, and if anybody has had any success with it.

Any movement can be used for cardio if it gets your heart rate/breathing up and keeps it up for an extended period of time. The rule of thumb is that by using the large muscles of the lower body you can increase your heart rate most easily, but any movement of any muscle group can be used.

I used the Liferower 9500 until my gym, for some reason I don't understand, replaced theirs with a bunch of eliptical machines. The more muscles you get involved the better and the rower does this since it gets the arms, upper and lower back, as well as legs involved. I also find many cardio machines like the stairmaster or the treadmill heavily target the calves and stress the ankles and knees which may limit your abilty to do cardio if you are also doing heavy resistance exercises for the legs. The more balanced upper and lower body stress of the rower is better in that reguard. If you have lower back problems any cardio that requires you to stand upright may agravate that condition as well, so the rower is especially good for that.