I wasn't sure where to put this article, but if here, maybe it will introduce others to the overall body workout you can get from a rowing machine. The first thing that caught my eye was that she eats Paleo (except for the oats before a race) but her explanation of how to pull on the erg and deadlift was basic exercise.
As some of the commenters noted, rowing for exercise does not put you at risk of rib stress fractures or back injury...the interview made rowing seem harder than a typical workout in a gym or with a recreational rowing team is. I rowed in college 40+ years ago and recently added it back to prepare for a reunion row. The combination of strength and cardio is the benefit, and if you are lucky enough to have a recreational rowing club nearby, doing rowing on a lake is as she said "zen-like"
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/...fgren-olympian/