The purpose of this study was to examine the energy cost of rowing with the Concept II wind resistance machine and to evaluate its potential for improving cardiovascular health for the fitness public. Ten male college students performed maximal tests on the treadmill and on the Concept II rowing machine. A submaximal test on the Concept II was also performed. The results demonstrated several significantly different physiological responses between the maximal running and rowing values. Running produced higher maximal VO2 (4.034 liters/min), heart rate (192 beats/min.), caloric cost (20.1 kcals/min., an O2 pulse (21.1 ml/beats min.) values. Maximal rowing values included a VO2 max of 3.619 liters/min., a heart rate of 187 beats/min., a caloric cost of 18.1 kcals/min., and an 02 pulse of 19.5 ml/beat min. Submaximal rowing at speeds from 10 to 30 miles per hour required an oxygen uptake of .933 to 3.193 liters/min. Heart rates averaged from 94 beats/min., while rowing at 10 mph to 172 beats/min., while rowing at 30 mph. Rowing at submaximal levels requires as much energy as other fitness activities. Rowing at 60 to 85 percent heart rate reserve burns 12.9 to 15.5 kcals/minute. Rowing at this intensityis equivalent to 9.1 to 11.2 mets.