 |
 |
|
Medical Professional's Comments Patrick Pearson, MSTAT Alexander Technique Practitioner 
"I coach rowing, and teach the Alexander Technique, where among other things we give particular attention to the poise of the skull and the condition of the spine and torso in a way that is as much to do with our thinking as it is to do with muscular activity, as the two are never separate. We work with the awareness that we like to ‘feel’ what goes on, and that our ‘feeling’ is prone to unreliability. I use this work not only to improve performance with my athletes but also on a day to day basis to help range of people from those who are unwell to those who have suffered trauma and have specific rehabilitation needs. I had a very definite ‘shopping list’ of criteria to be met when I came to choose a rowing simulator not just for my own use, but also to teach my pupils and athletes. In developing potential at whatever level, no change (improvement) is achieved without risk. That risk being, that we just might be wrong and foul up the whole thing we are aiming for. When I am asking an athlete to “take a risk”, I want a calm, relatively quiet environment in which they can think, observe, listen and progress, without undue pressure or distraction. I get this using the WaterRower. I am impressed by the smoothness and quick pick-up of the load without snatching. This is a quality much appreciated by our backs! Whether I work gently or fast I get useful sensory feedback from the sight and sound of the water. This helps corroborate, what I ‘feel’ is going on. I can talk over the top of the WaterRower in use without having to raise my voice. Shouting is to be avoided in a teaching environment, it stimulates the fight or flight reflex, resulting in undue muscular tightening which inhibits change and impedes pace. Be it an Alexander issue, a technical rowing point, or making an attempt to push–on a bit quicker, this simulator is my choice to give people the best opportunity to explore their potential and develop their fitness. Can I get on it, set a work-out programme on it’s computer and go for a serious indoor row? Oh yes……no worries on that score!" ______________________ Donna C. Isaac 
As an Advanced Practitioner of Structural Integration (Rolfing), the body and its freedom to move and function are my business. After two years of seeing and participating in InsideOut's WaterRower program, I believe that rowing is one of the best overall body workouts anyone can perform. Rowing is a smooth, non-impact exercise that allows the body to work in sync with itself by focusing on an intrinsic use of the musculoskeletal system. It complements other exercises by helping to lengthen contracted muscles and provide an intense yet safe whole body workout. WaterRower's unique machine uses water to provide smooth, flowing resistance, which enhances and cradles the body's response to every stroke." ______________________
Vicki Siegel, MA,
CSCS ______________________
Dr. Glenn Gero,
"No other exercise can get me into my cardiovascular zone as quickly and can fire as many muscle fibers throughout my body as rowing. With each complete stroke I can feel virtually every muscle working including those in the legs, midsection, lower back, arms and upper torso."
Read his full comment here. ______________________
(Physiotherapist to Great Britain Olympic Rowing Squad Atlanta 1996 & Sydney 2000) "What impressed me most about the WaterRower was the lack of shock loading at the front end of the stroke.... the athlete must load biomechanical more efficiently to score well - similar to what is required on the water."
______________________
Dr. C Everett Koop,
“We have recently investigated indoor stationary rowing machines and believe the WaterRower to be the best on the market. They were also rated by Consumer Digest Magazine as a "best buy" product. This machine uses a patented WaterFlywheel almost the identical movement of a sliding seat rowing shell... producing a smooth, rhythmic motion and an impact free work out for any level of fitness or age." "One of the main advantages of rowing outdoors or using a WaterRower machine is the sitting position of rowing which removes the exerciser's body weight from the injury-prone hip, knee and ankle joints and therefore reduces the potential of impact injury to these joints commonly associated with aerobic exercise." "Rowing, indoors or outdoors, at any exercise level of intensity, requires a greater exercise expenditure than any other aerobic activity. Calories are burned in relation to the number of muscles used and the intensity and duration of the exercise. Rowing with a sliding seat uses a very large muscle mass since the upper, lower and trunk muscles are used vigorously"
|
Mark Edgar, Physiotherapist, London, England 
Former US Surgeon General