Rowing can strengthen your cardiovascular system, lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, promote weight loss, and reduce stress. Rowing on water has the added advantage of interesting scenery, making it a pleasant recreation as well as a strenuous workout. Indoor rowing can be done anywhere, at any time. Although rowing machines are relatively easy to master, rowing on water can be difficult to learn. It takes time and a good amount of coordination to keep your balance in the rowing shell as well as control the oars.
Many people become frustrated from feeling awkward and give up before mastering the skill.
The muscles of the upper arms and forearms will often fatigue early, which could limit a workout's duration, especially for beginners. Blisters on the hand are a common complaint of outdoor rowers. For some people with back problems or heart ailments, rowing is not a suitable exercise. Not everyone has access to a serene river or lake either. The equipment is expensive, and a boat requires adequate storage space.