For a great cardiovascular workout that also tones the upper and lower body, you might want to consider a Rowing Machine. A rowing machine will burn calories like nothing and tone that flab into pure muscle due to its demanding nature.
Because rowing involves pushing and pulling, you are able to work your calves, thighs, arms, shoulders, and back. If you are in the market for a piece of exercise equipment that will help you build and define your muscles, look no further.

Rowing machines offer a cardiovascular workout without high impact. This means your heart and lungs will work hard without causing a lot of unnecessary strain on your joints, as other exercises often do. Many models are available with various resistance levels that will enable you to get the best workout for your needs.

Types of resistance include:

Hydraulic or Piston - Is the low-end option which uses hydraulic pistons to provide resistance. This type of rower will offer levels of resistance, often adjusted manually by moving some form of clamps or levers. While hydraulic rowers can provide a decent workout, they do not simulate the feel of real rowing to the same extent as other types do as the movement tends to lack the same smoothness and fluidity. They can also be susceptible to leaking when over two years old which will make it unusable.

Magnetic - Use a flywheel and magnetic braking to provide resistance. Just like hydraulic rowers these will often come with a limited number of adjustable resistance levels, although some models offer stepless resistance. They have a almost silent operation, are smaller than air and water machines for easy storage and little or no maintenance is required.

Air - Is often found on good quality rowing machines. The resistance is provided by a finned flywheel which sucks in air as the row arm is pulled back. This allows for “stepless” and unlimited resistance adjustment – more resistance is simply achieved by rowing faster. Keep in mind that air resistance machines can be quite noisy especially as you increase your rate of rowing.

Water - If you are after the most authentic feeling of real outdoor rowing possible you could consider a water rower. It uses a stainless steel paddle inside a tank filled with water to provide resistance. Just like with rowing machines based on air, resistance intensity is increased simply by rowing faster, but you can also increase or decrease resistance further by adjusting the water level. A water rower provides exceptionally smooth, vibration free movement with the soothing sound of moving water rather than the noise of air being sucked into a flywheel. The only downside is price and that it will require more maintenance than other types of rowing machines as the water may need replacing at intervals.

Because of these differences in rowers we tend to recommend magnetic rowers for the average buyer with air and water for the serious exercise enthusiast.