Rowing Machine For Young Children

Exercise is important to everyone, including children. Exercise can help reduce the risks of obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes and heart conditions later on in life. One type of exercise machine young children can use is a rowing machine. A rowing machine helps promote cardiovascular health as well as strength and flexibility. Rowing machines also come in children's models, which are ideal for their weight and height.

Rowing Machine Benefits

The smooth rowing action of a rowing machine is a low-impact exercise that can help children increase their endurance and strengthen their upper body, torso and lower body. Rowing machines help to strengthen the muscles of the shoulders, arms, legs, stomach and chest. Rowing machines can also help obese children burn off calories. These machines may also be used in rehabilitation programs for children to help increase coordination and strength following injury or disease.

Youth Exercise Recommendations

The American Heart Association recommends that children over the age of 2 participate in 60 minutes of physical activity daily. Activity should be moderately intense, meaning the pulse of a child should be elevated and the child should break a light sweat. The activity should be enjoyable for the child and appropriate for the age of the child. Dancing, sports, walking, running, rowing machines, jumping rope, aerobics and jumping on a trampoline all qualify as physical activity. Exercises can be varied to maintain the interest of the child.

Youth Rowing Machines

Youth-size rowing machines are designed for children between 3 and 8. Rowing machines for children are commonly made of steel and possess foam padding to help maintain comfort as the child exercises. The seat of the rowing machine is cushioned, and there is a valve adjustment to increase and decrease the resistance of the machine. This can make for an easier or more difficult exercise, depending on the ability of the child. The machine may run off air or magnets. Youth rowing machines may also monitor calories burned, heart rate, time, speed and distance traveled.

Warnings

To avoid injury in young children using rowing machines, children should not be left alone while exercising. Children should avoid over-exercising or using the rowing machine as if it were a toy. If a child complains of pain while using a rowing machine, discontinue use and contact your child's pediatrician.