Rowbike

A rowbike is an example of a rowing cycle, hybrid fitness/transport machine that combines a bicycle, and a rowing machine. "Rowbike" is a trademark of the Rowbike company. The Rowbike was invented by Scott Olson, the creator of Rollerblade inline skates. "Rowling" is a combination of rowing and rolling, and is sometimes used in place of rowing when describing a Rowbike. Unlike traditional bicycles, where power is supplied primarily by the rider's legs turning pedals connected to the drive wheel through a looped chain, a Rowbike delivers power through a swinging lever that moves a chain back and forth over the rear cog in a reciprocating motion regulated by a bungee cord. The rowing lever is large enough that a rider will normally utilize muscles from their legs, arms, back and abdomen to maintain a steady rowing motion to keep the Rowbike in motion. Rowbikes are marketed as providing a full body workout through the rowing motion which is gentle on the rider's knees, hips and back due to the system being non-load-bearing. Though Rowbike is primarily marketed as a fitness machine, as a rowing cycle it may also be classified as a human powered vehicle, as opposed to a stationary indoor rowers. In the United States, Rowbikes are almost exclusively for exercise and fitness, rather than for transportation. Four wheel variants also exist. As with most bicycles, a stationary bike converter stand can be obtained from a third-party vendor to allow the Rowbike to be effectively used as an indoor rower. Terminology While many Rowbike parts are standard bicycle parts, several are patented and proprietary to the Rowbike, and can only be obtained from the manufacturer.