This type of fitness equipment provides a cardiovascular workout focusing on the arms and shoulders. It simulates activities like rowing, cross-country skiing, or arm cycling, offering resistance training through various mechanisms such as air, hydraulics, or magnetic systems. A typical example features a seat, handles or levers, and a display console providing feedback on metrics like distance, speed, and calories burned.
Providing a low-impact exercise option, these devices offer significant benefits for individuals seeking to improve upper body strength and endurance, rehabilitate from injuries, or enhance cardiovascular fitness without stressing lower extremities. Their use can be traced back to rehabilitation settings, gradually expanding into broader fitness applications due to their versatility and accessibility for diverse populations, including those with mobility limitations.