Though most rowers deliver similar benefits, they vary enough in design that some of the differences are key in determining which is best for certain folks. Below, I've rounded up seven of the best rowing machines I've tested. You'll also find answers to some FAQs, along with a rundown of how I test rowers, at the bottom of this guide.
Which Rowing Machine Should I Buy
With an air-resistance rowing machine, you'd expect a bit of noise, however, the Model D runs quiet enough for rowers to listen to music or watch television at a normal volume during workouts. Its performance monitor tracks stroke rate, calories burned, distance, pace, and watts, and has several built-in workouts.
The Stamina BodyTrac Glider 1050 Rowing Machine offers excellent value at $120. Although it's compact and quiet, this hydraulic resistance rowing machine provides a great workout with a smooth-gliding padded seat and separate, movable arms.
The machine is able to maintain a variety of consistent levels of resistance for roughly 30 minutes of hard rowing but like most hydraulic rowers, fluid in the hydraulic piston heats up, which decreases resistance. When this happens, you'll need to pause and increase the resistance setting manually.
Reliability: If the rowing machine you invest in doesn't last longer than a few months, you'll likely be cursing whatever inclination you had to want to buy it. Put plainly, at-home workout machines aren't cheap and the one you ultimately end up spending a large chunk of money on should work and work often.
There are four types of resistance to choose from in rowing machines. The resistance type plays a huge role in your experience as well as how the machines differ from one another. There are air rowers, water rowers, magnetic rowers, and hydraulic rowing machines. There are also hybrid rowing machines that use both air and magnetic resistance. Each of them has a different feel when you pull against the tension.
Or maybe you want to watch your TV or attach your own tablet to the rowing machine? You definitely want to figure out what kind of content you prefer before buying a rower because that can help motivate you to actually use it regularly which is the ultimate goal.
The different types of rowing machines all work a little differently and provide different experiences. Below is a brief breakdown of each of the kinds of rowers. If you want to learn more about each of them check out this post.
Air rowers are the most popular type of rowing machine. They use air as resistance. When you pull, air works against the flywheel to create tension, and the harder you pull the more tension you get. Air rowers provide a smooth stroke and are great if you want unlimited resistance to pull against.
It might not seem important, but the content and technology can impact the price, as well as how much you use the rowing machine. The screen, no matter the size or type, will display your rowing metrics.
Fitness subscription apps are very popular. More and more home fitness machines, including rowers, are coming out with subscription content and touchscreens. These require a monthly fee to access the content and functionality of the touchscreen. Below are common options of subscriptions available on home rowing machines.
Even though you can buy a rowing machine on Amazon or through other retailers, we highly recommend buying your rower directly from the manufacturer. This way in case you have a problem with your machine, you can contact the manufacturer and utilize their warranty.
Dashboard stats: All rowing machines will have an ergometer, an apparatus that measures energy expended. Some models may just show basics stats like meters and power. If you're newer to rowing, basic stats and a very user-friendly dashboard or screen may be the most important, says Langhans. On the other hand, a dashboard with more in-depth tracking options and data may be better for people looking to get a competitive edge or improve on specific rowing goals.
The Hydrow is the best rowing machine for realism, offering virtual on-water classes alongside intro sessions to teach you how to master your technique. It also boasts a host of knowledgeable instructors on its books, from former Olympians, Paralympians, top-level athletes and specialist coaches.
The Ergatta, on the other hand, takes a very different tack. It still offers the same myriad benefits of using a rowing machine, but motivates users to keep coming back for more with engaging games and races.
We also found the Hydrow the more enjoyable machine to use. Its large body, high-up cushioned seat and 10-roller railing system meant we moved smoothly and maintained a comfortable rowing position, whatever the length of our session.
Picking the best rowing machine for you will depend on what you want from your fitness routine. If you want a more realistic row, appreciate the outdoors, enjoy exercising or like the human element that comes with instructor-led classes, the Hydrow Rower is the machine for you.
The rowing motion works out your body in an effective way. It can bring a lot more than your awareness. It is recommended to have ideas of how good is a rowing machine and how it can exercise your body.
According to the latest studies, people with a pear-shaped body who accumulate fat deposits predominantly in their arms and hips benefit from rowing the most. If you want to lose fat, any type of rowing machine can help you meet your goal.
Needless to say, by working out daily on a rower, you will improve your cardiovascular health, as rowing will put your heart and lungs to the test. In this case, a rowing machine equipped with a monitor is what you need to consider.
This section will give you an overview of what these costs look like and will attempt to answer the questions people typically have as they begin thinking about the possibility of buying their own rowing machine.
There are quite a few magnetic rowers on the market. The average price of magnetic rowing machines is about $404. Prices range from $194.49 to $799. Magnetic rowers come in many different qualities and with different guarantees.
After knowing these 6 questions, you might have a point of view about choosing your ideal rowing machine. To help you make your choice in the right way, we wrote a step-by-step rowing machine buying guide.
Still undecided about making the switch from a treadmill to a rowing machine? To help you, we've summarized our thoughts on the rowing machine versus treadmill debate; give it a read to determine what machine is best for you! We've also put together some advice on how to use a rowing machine to lose weight.
Beyond this, rowing machines offer a low impact alternative to classic cardio workouts like running, regular use can proffer significant bone-building benefits (according to this study in the Osteoarthritis and Cartilage journal) and many people find the rhythmic action has a calming, meditative effect.
A session on a rowing machine is capable of burning calories, helping you achieve a negative daily energy balance (or calorie deficit). This means you burn more calories in a day than you consume, through exercise, NEAT, TEF (the energy used to digest, absorb and metabolize food) and your basal metabolic rate.
The flywheel is common to all air-resistance machines and produces a white noise that is certainly louder than a magnetic rowing machine, and less appealing than the swoosh of the water rower, but the Concept2 RowErg's noise levels aren't excessive. We found it produced around 70-100 dB while in use, which is similar to a regular washing machine.
The rowing machine's monitor is compatible with the free ErgData app, which allows you to monitor all your performance statistics; it stores and displays your workout results; and it uploads everything to the Concept2 online logbook. The app also works with Android and iOS devices. The monitor also connects to a suite of other apps so you can take advantage of online classes, coaching and training programs. You can even sync up to virtual racing.
Reviews give this rowing machine 3.6 out of 5 on Amazon, according to just 7 global ratings. Positive reviews say that the rower is "great value" and "very good quality", while negative reviews discuss problems accessing the free period of iFit that comes with the machine.
Still undecided about making the switch from a treadmill to a rowing machine? To help you, we've summarized our thoughts on the rowing machine versus treadmill (opens in new tab) debate; give it a read to determine what machine is best for you! We've also put together some advice on how to use a rowing machine to lose weight (opens in new tab).
Beyond this, rowing machines offer a low impact alternative to classic cardio workouts like running, regular use can proffer significant bone-building benefits (according to this study in the Osteoarthritis and Cartilage journal (opens in new tab)) and many people find the rhythmic action has a calming, meditative effect.
A session on a rowing machine is capable of burning calories, helping you achieve a negative daily energy balance (or calorie deficit). This means you burn more calories in a day than you consume, through exercise, NEAT, TEF (the energy used to digest, absorb and metabolize food) and your basal metabolic rate (opens in new tab).
What makes rowing such a challenging workout is the resistance. In some machines, that resistance is caused by water; in others, it's moving air. In magnetic rowing machines, that resistance happens when two strong magnets move past each other. That translates to a quieter and more compact machine. While there are myriad magnetic rowers, Hydrow is arguably the best. Sometimes called the Peloton of rowers, it has a 22-inch mounted HD touchscreen (that can pivot 25 degrees in each direction) with more than 500 pre-recorded rowing sessions.
If you jump into one of the river sessions, it can actually feel like you're on the water, thanks to the smooth-as-silk 10-roller seat. It's worth noting, however, that if you want to experience the full capabilities of the machine (by which I mean all the live and on-demand classes), you'll need to pay an additional $38 per month for a subscription to the online classes.
 38c6e68cf9