Rowing machines for the home market have grown up in the last couple of decades. The flimsy hydraulic arm machines of the 1990’s have given way to a range of near commercial quality rowers that provide an accurate simulation of the real thing. Still, there is a huge fluctuation in quality in the market-place. In this article, we’ll provide you with everything you need to know to make the right rowing machine choice for your home gym.
Types of Rowing Machines
Rowing Machines are categorized according to the type of resistance that they provide. There are four resistance types as follows:
? Air – the rower generates air resistance by way of fan blades at the front of the machine. Air resistance provides a very smooth rowing experience, though they can be quite noisy.
? Water – The rowing resistance is provided by a water tank, providing the closest replica of actually rowing on a lake that you can get. You have control of the resistance level by the intensity of each stroke. This is identical to an air resistance rower, except that the air is replaced by water.
You can control the level of resistance by the amount of water in the tank. The more water, the harder it is to row. Water rowers are pretty noisy, but many people actually find the sound, which further replicates the on-water experience, to be quite soothing.
? Hydraulic – the lowest priced rowers on the market generally feature hydraulic resistance provided by pistons that are situated in the separate rowing arms of the machine. They provide the least realistic rowing action and often result in a jerky motion.
⚡ Magnetic – a magnetic braking system is attached to the rowing machine’s flywheel, resulting in a smooth, quiet rowing action. However, you are not able to generate as much resistance as you can on an air or water rower.
Essential Know How
What to look for when buying a rowing machine:
Resistance type
We’ve already identified the different resistance types, so which one is best? The answer depends on what is most important to you.
If you are primarily concerned with getting the most realistic simulation of rowing on the water, you will want to go for a water resistance machine. These are, however, the most expensive, with some coming in at more than $2,000.
For a quieter rowing experience that comes close to the water rower in terms of a realistic rowing experience, go for an air resistance rower.
Both water and air rowers are variable resistance machines, meaning that you can change the resistance level mid stroke simply by adjusting the speed and strength of your pull. This is great if you are going to be doing high intensity interval training (HIIT) that requires very quick resistance adjustments.
If you are wanting a smooth, fluid rower that is whisper quiet, then you should go for a magnetic rower. These are designed for the average fitness user, not the hardcore HIIT or CrossFit trainer. They are about the third of the price of an air rower.
Dimensions
Air rowers and water rowers take up the largest footprint. The longer the length of the rowing rail, the better the rowing motion and the greater your muscular stimulation. So, provided you’ve got the room, the longer the rowing rail the better. The rail of magnetic rowers are usually about three quarters the length of a water and air rower. You will want a rail that is made from smooth metal-alloy.
Pull Drive System
The pull drive of a rower is generally in the form of a chain or a belt that is made from the same material as a car seat-belt. The seat belt type drive will provide you with a quieter operation and a slightly smoother action.
Performance Monitor
The monitor of your rowing machine needs to provide you with a large, clear LCD readout. You should be able to monitor your performance as you’re rowing. Make sure that it includes the following diagnostics as a minimum; heart rate, time, overall strokes, rpm, strokes per minute, and time over 500 meters.
You will want a console that includes at least half a dozen built-in programs to provide you with training variety.
Foot Plates
Of all of the parts of a rowing machine, the foot plates receive the most pressure as a result of constantly pushing down with your legs. That is why they need to be strong and durable. Look for metal plates over plastic.
back to menu ↑Best Rowing Machine Brands
- Concept2
- Stamina
- WaterRower
- Velocity Exercise
- H2O Fitness
- Kettler Favorit
- LifeSpan Fitness
..and more! If you know of any rowers we left out or you want to see reviewed let us know in the comments below! Now on to the rowing machines:
back to menu ↑Best Air Rowing Machine
Concept2 Model D with PM5 Performance Monitor Indoor Rower Rowing Machine Black or Gray
- Low impact workout that engages all major muscle groups; work legs, core and arms with a smooth, high calorie-burning motion
- Track your progress with real-time reliable data; the Performance Monitor 5 (included) self-calibrates for comparable results; connect wirelessly to heart rate belts and apps (not included)
Concept2 are the original innovators of home indoor rowing machines and their Concept2 rower has stood the test of time as the most popular air rower on the market. It has gone through a number of iterations, with the Model D being the current performer.
The Concept2 is a commercial grade rower that you can have in your home gym for around a thousand dollars. That represents very good value for a machine that has the durable construction and streamlined appeal that has made the Concept D so popular in gyms and rowing clubs around the world. The low profile of this rower provides a more natural rowing position, with the damper allowing you to adjust the airflow.
The monitor is another strength of the Concept2, featuring PM5 technology which delivers accurate comparable data on every row, allowing you to compare your performances. Adjustable footrests, an ergonomic handle and the quick-release frame-lock mechanism for ease of storage are other highlights of this impressive rower.
back to menu ↑Best Budget Rowing Machine Under $300
Stamina X ATS Air Rowing Machine
- Wind-resistance rowing machine with multi-function performance monitor
- Monitor displays speed, distance, time, and calories burned.
- Padded, upholstered and comfortable seat with large footplates for any size user; over-sized, angled seat rail for smooth sliding
The Stamina Black Chrome air rower is the best quality air rower under $500 that we have come across. The rowing motion is jerk free and the glide motion over the rail is very smooth, providing you with a full range of motion. The angled seat provides for an easy return. An upholstered, padded seat means that you can train for extended periods without ending up with a pain in the butt.
The multi-function monitor on the Stamina rower provides you with the basic feedback that you need, including time, speed, distance and calories burned – and the digits are nice and large so you can see them as you are rowing.
back to menu ↑Best Water Rowing Machine
WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine in Ash Wood with S4 Monitor
- Handcrafted rowing machine with "water flywheel" that replicates actual rowing feel
- Flywheel sits in enclosed water tank to provide smooth, quiet, self-regulated resistance
- Series 4 performance monitor tracks workout intensity, stroke rate, heart rate, and more
The WaterRower company produce a range of premium rowing machines that are handcrafted in natural timbers. They provide the most stylish, functional and realistic rowing experience that you will find off the water. Their ‘Natural’ rower is made from solid ash, which not only looks great, it totally absorbs any vibration and noise from the rowing action.
Rowing against a water resistance is easier on the knees than air resistance and allows for variable resistance. To give yourself more of a challenge, simply add water to the tank. An additional benefit of the WaterRower is that it can be stored in an upright position.
The WaterRower Natural will cost you around $2000. For that investment you’ll get a piece of gear that you’ll be proud to display, whether in your garage or your lounge, and that will last for many years to come.
back to menu ↑Best Magnetic Rowing Machine
Velocity Exercise Magnetic Rower
- Resistance: DMC System (Drum Magnetic Control)
- Electronic tension control
- Large PU molded saddle & Foldable and space saving.Polyurethane Molded Saddle
- The machine comes equipped with a heart rate monitor chest strap to monitor your heart rate for intense cardio training
Velocity CHR-2001 Programmable Magnetic
The Velocity Fitness CHR-2001 Programmable Magnetic rowing machine provides you with eight levels of adjustable resistance. This is a solidly made unit with high grade steel framing and a smooth, natural slide motion. Secure foot stirrups keep you firmly in position and the seat is ergonomically constructed for comfort.
The monitor of the CHR-2001 has 5 buttons, a decent sized screen and clear digits which give you readouts of your training distance, time, rep count, and strokes. The LCD screen is backlit for easier viewing.
This rower has a max user capacity of 275 pounds, which attests to its stability. You can also fold up the rower when your workout is over so you can store it away. The CHR-2001 is a smooth, fluid magnetic resistance rower that will give you a smooth, natural workout.
back to menu ↑Best Crossfit Rowing Machine
HCI Fitness Prorower RX-750 Prorower Indoor Water Rowing Machine
- The RX-750 water rower's innovative hydro-power drive System provides an incredibly smooth and relaxing "on the water" rowing experience that feels and sounds just like the real thing
- The RX-750 water rowing machine's features easy to adjust pivoting footrests for ease of Use, one size fits the entire family
Pro Rower H20 Rx-750 Home Series
The Pro Rower H20 Rx-750 Home Series rower is a water based rowing machine that gives you a very close simulation to actually rowing on the water, which is great for both crossfit and real life rowing training due to the natural resistance of real water. This is a well-built machine, as attested to by the fact that it can take users up to 350 pounds in body weight. It has been ergonomically designed for efficient movement and, consequently, feels very natural when you row.
The water tank of this rower is made from polycarbonate fiber and is fitted with an internal paddle system that ensures a close simulation of the way a paddle moves through the water. The monitor is functional, providing all of the diagnostics that exercisers need to know.
This is a very well-priced water rower. While not as aesthetically appealing as the rowers from the WaterRower it will provide you with a near comparable rowing experience at a great price.
back to menu ↑Best Compact Rowing Machine
Stamina 35-1215 Orbital Rowing Machine with Free Motion Arms
- Compact rowing machine with full range-of-motion rowing that mimics rowing on the water
- Smooth hydraulic cylinder resistance; adjustable tension controls
- Single button monitor shows speed, distance, time, row count, calories burned, and miles rowed
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Stamina 1215 Orbital Rowing Machine
The Stamina 1215 Orbital Rowing machine is a compact hydraulic arm machine that won’t stutter, jerk or stall. Unlike most hydraulic arm rowers, it provides you with a smooth rowing experience. This is thanks to the large precision engineered master cylinder and piston that are central to the rowing action.
The free-flowing arms of this rower allow you to work each side unilaterally. This is a great way to ensure that you get balanced development. The compactness of the machine is a huge plus. At its maximum height it is only 8 inches from the ground with a length of just 4 feet. Even though it only weighs in at 50 pounds it can handle five times that weight.
The Stamina 1215 is not built to be as durable as the more expensive machines on the market. But you can expect at least 12 months of solid regular use out of this machine. This is a good choice for beginners or those who are wanting a rower for intermittent HIIT training.
back to menu ↑Best Foldable Rowing Machine
Stamina ATS Air Rower 1399
- Wind-resistance rowing machine with multi-function performance monitor
- Monitor displays speed, distance, time, and calories burned. You will have some fan noise from this rower since it has a chain when you pull it
The Stamina Air Rower is an air resistance rower that is no where near as noisy as most of its competitors. The slide mechanism of this unit is a standout, with a full, smooth range of movement, thanks to a series of high spec ball bearings. The rowing arms of the Stamina Rower give you a jerk free movement that feels much like rowing on the water.
The footplates on this rower are extendable and fully adjustable so as to accommodate people of all sizes. Secure foot straps allow you to lock in your positioning. The monitor on the Stamina Air Rower provides a clear, real time updated readout of your workout times, distance covered, calories burned and speed.
This rower comes with foot protectors and wheels to make it easy for you to move around your home.
back to menu ↑Best Hydraulic Rowing Machine
Kettler Home Exercise/Fitness Equipment: Favorit Rowing Machine
- Displays 6 functions simultaneously: Time, Distance, Energy Consumed, Strokes, Pulse Rate and Frequency; Includes a recovery feature which provides a cardio wellness grading indexed 1 to 6 to track improvement
The Kettler Favorit is a dual hydraulic cylinder rower that provides you with unilateral resistance in a smooth, jerk free rowing action. The monitor on this machine is a standout, including built-in workouts and ongoing readouts of all of the important training data that you could ever want. The large LCD screen also tracks your progress from workout to workout.
A unique aspect of the Kettler Favorit is that it includes an earlobe heart rate monitor to give you a very accurate pulse readout. The footplates are completely adjustable for different users and come with foot straps to keep you locked in. This is a very compact rower that assembles easily and comes equipped with floor protectors to protect your environment.
back to menu ↑Best Rowing Machine for Tall Person
Stamina 15-9003 Deluxe Conversion II Recumbent / Rower
- Combination rowing machine and recumbent exercise bike for total body workouts
- Top bar for performing upper body exercises, such as bicep curls and tricep kickbacks
- Electronic monitor with large LCD display tracks speed, time, calories, distance, and more
Stamina 15-9003 Deluxe Conversion II Recumbent Rower
The Stamina 15-9003 Deluxe Conversion II Recumbent Rower provides you with a two-pronged cardio assault, acting as both a rowing machine and a recumbent exercise bike. Both actions work off the same flywheel and the necessity of meeting dual needs inevitably means that it does not perform maximally on either action.
This is a good exercise choice for beginner or intermediate level exercisers who are challenged for space. It is also a smart choice for people who have lower back issues, as the recumbent seating support provides a measure of relief in both exercise formats.
This machine has been ergonomically designed for comfort. It is easy to get in and out of and the seat design and pedal placement makes it friendly on the knees. However, the price is a little on the steep side, even when you factor in that you’re getting two machines for the price of one.
back to menu ↑Best Rowing Machine Under $500
LifeSpan RW1000 Indoor Rowing Machine
- Features a smooth and quiet eddy current drive system with a 16.5-pound flywheel
- Solid steel frame; assembled dimensions measure 90 x 18.5 x 23 inches (L x W x H)
- Folds to 34 by 19 by 64 inches (L x W x H) for easy storage
The LifeSpan RW1000 is a flywheel powered rower that utilizes a rowing strap that is connected to the handles. It provides a good, but not great, rowing action that is not as smooth as an air or water rower, but is free of jerkiness and stuttering nevertheless. Due to its simplicity this design is relatively problem free and is surprisingly quiet to operate.
The cloth strap that is used on the LifeSpan RW1000 could be a potential problem, due to its constant contact with the flywheel which could result in reduced machine lifespan – or at least having to get a replacement strap after a year or so of use.
Well, we hope you were able to pick a great rowing machine that is best for your workout needs and space. Let us know in the comments below which one you chose and any fitness results!
Top 10 Rowing Machines at a Glance:
