One of the best perks of using a rowing machine is the ability to choose your workout type. Those wanting a high-intensity cardio workout can set the resistance to be a little lower while working quicker to raise your heart rate and break a sweat. For those who want to focus on strength training for the day, setting the weights and resistance to be higher while working on harder sets is also a possibility. Rowing machines can provide a full-body workout that can be paced to personal preference.