Combines Cardio and Strength

Rowing is a rare hybrid of cardio/aerobic training and resistance/anaerobic training. Most exercises fall into one or the other camp, but rowing combines both

Aerobic training provides good burn off of calories from body fat during the workout, but not much post workout calorie burn

Resistance training does not burn many calories as fuel during the workout, but the post workout calorie burn is significant

Rowing takes advantage of the best of both aerobic and anaerobic training, burning a host of calories during the workout, as well as after the workout