IMHO I would say blokes like the rowing machine and get a great workout from it and women prefer the eliptical. I can't sustain a long training sesh on the rower but can do a good one on the eliptical. But yes I believe that the rower does give a good total body workout and if you are going to do one thing looking for cardio and muscle tone then the rower is your man. With the others you have I think it is a good option.