The 9 Greatest Rowing Machines of 2024, Examined -

If you wish to shake up your exercise routine, a rowing machine generally is a highly effective addition to your dwelling gymnasium setup. Private coach Salsabila Aboulalazm likes rowing as a result of it’s a lower-impact type of cardio that helps her shoppers combine issues up. In contrast to working on a treadmill, rowing has the additional benefit of working your upper- and lower-body muscle tissues concurrently. However all rowing machines aren’t created equal, and every type offers a barely totally different expertise. To seek out the most effective rowing machines, we spoke with an expert rowing teacher and a private coach to higher perceive which necessary options to search for.

We then examined 18 expert-approved rowing machines from high manufacturers at dwelling for a complete of 6,624 hours of testing. We used every machine often in our dwelling gyms for weeks, not less than thrice per week, testing each single function. After we take a look at rowing machines, we prioritize fashions that really feel sturdy and are constructed to final. We additionally contemplate security options, worth, and storage (for rowers that fold up or can in any other case be stashed away). Our high picks earned excessive scores for stability, efficiency, adjustability, consolation, show, and worth. We additionally had a licensed USA biking and triathlon coach from our Evaluate Board overview this text for accuracy concerning the right way to use a rowing machine safely.

Completely Vetted & Reviewed

Forms of Rowing Machines

There are a couple of kinds of rowing machines, every with its personal really feel and advantages. These are the most typical kinds you’ll come throughout as you store:

Magnetic: Whenever you pull the deal with on a magnetic rower, the magnets and flywheel work collectively to create resistance. Sarah Fuhrmann, a licensed rowing teacher, says magnetic choices present constant resistance, regardless of how arduous you push your self whereas utilizing them.
Air: The flywheel on air-powered rowers comprises a fan. As you pull on the handles, the fan turns and pulls air in. The sooner you pull, the extra resistance the fan offers.
Water: Water-based rowing machines are constructed with a water tank that has pedals inside. These rowers really feel the closest to rowing within the water. As with air-powered choices, you’ll expertise extra resistance the more durable and sooner you pull, Fuhrmann says.
Hydraulic: Hydraulic rowers have an inner mechanism that makes use of hydraulic pistons to find out resistance. These rowing machines don’t normally really feel as clean as different choices.

PHOTO: Amazon

Key Specs

Who It’s For

Greatest for the rowing purist who desires to really feel like they’re really rowing on water.

Why We Love It

Utilizing an electromagnetic drag system, Hydrow’s Professional Rower offers a clean and hyper-realistic rowing really feel that is not uneven, incomes it our high spot as the most effective rowing machine in the marketplace. The rowing machine feels hyper-stable and by no means wobbles, even after we’re sprinting. We love how secure it feels and that it offers varied courses that preserve us engaged and forestall us from ever tiring of utilizing the machine.

The leaderboard-focused courses mixed with a high-quality video and audio setup are nice for exercisers who’re motivated by competitors. In contrast to different choices, the handlebars are snug and by no means depart our arms feeling sore or tough. Plus, the easy-on-and-off foot strap system works for various shoe sizes, making this a really customizable machine.

Potential Flaws

The on/off change is inconveniently close to the bottom on the entrance of the machine, so it may be arduous to achieve, particularly for these with mobility points.

Meet Our Tester

Regardless of beforehand exercising quite a bit, our tester calls themself a newbie to rowing exercises, as they have not been rowing a lot lately. They used to row twice per week about 10 years in the past. Our tester likes this machine as a result of it affords extra exercise selection than different choices, they usually additionally respect its sturdiness and constant resistance.

PHOTO: Walmart

Professionals

Handlebar place promotes good rowing type
Features a 30-day free trial of the app
Foldable and compact design

Key Specs

Who It’s For

Greatest for athletes wanting to save cash with out sacrificing high quality.

Why We Love It

With a cheaper price level than opponents however most of the identical high-quality options, ProForm’s Professional 750R Rower is a straightforward alternative for a top-tier, budget-friendly rower. The rower is quiet and has clean magnetic resistance. We love that it comes with a 30-day free trial of the iFit app, which options greater than 10,000 trainer-led rowing exercises. Plus, when following exercises within the app, trainers can regulate your resistance remotely, making the exercise much more difficult.

The padded handlebars on the 750R are snug and assist us preserve good rowing type. We additionally like that the monitor is straightforward to regulate to our most well-liked peak with a knob, making for a extra customizable expertise. The foldable design makes it straightforward to retailer the rower when visitors come over, which makes it a fantastic possibility for these with smaller areas.

Potential Flaws

Should you don’t choose to proceed paying for an iFit membership after your 30-day free trial, you’ll lose a whole lot of the perks of this rower, just like the auto-adjust resistance function.
The footrests are troublesome to regulate and don’t really feel very sturdy in comparison with the remainder of the rower.

Meet Our Tester

Our tester used to work out on a rower quite a bit, however after having a second baby, they fell off their train sport for a bit, so that they really feel like a newbie once more when utilizing a rower. They discovered this selection the smoothest of any rowers they’d used earlier than.

PHOTO: ProForm

Professionals

Straightforward to stow with entrance wheels
Stays secure, even when utilizing it with excessive resistance
Comfy and adjustable

Key Specs

Who It’s For

Greatest for the condo dweller who can’t afford to surrender area when not understanding.

Why We Love It

ProForm’s Professional R10 Rower is foldable and has a really small footprint when folded, which makes it nice for folks with restricted area. It’s straightforward to fold and options front-mounted wheels that assist to make storage even simpler. The compact foldability of this rower doesn’t make it any much less secure, and the machine by no means wobbles, even after we’re utilizing it with excessive resistance.

Like ProForm’s 750R model, this one additionally comes with a 30-day free trial of the iFit app. This selection additionally lets trainers regulate your resistance remotely when following a exercise within the app. The adjustable handlebars and footrests are straightforward to tailor to totally different heights and foot sizes, making it a fantastic machine for the entire family. Plus, the padded seat and handlebars make rowing far more snug.

Potential Flaws

The rower doesn’t function a pill or cup holder, which is disappointing given its larger worth level.

Meet Our Tester

Our tester is an intermediate exerciser with little rowing expertise, however they’ve used a rower a couple of instances earlier than testing one for Verywell Match. They like that the iFit app affords newbie, intermediate, and superior class choices, so there may be room to develop as you turn out to be stronger.

PHOTO: One Peloton

Professionals

Works effectively for taller folks
Has cup and cellphone holders
Gives type enchancment suggestions

Cons

Seat isn’t very snug
Handlebars may be arduous to achieve when you’re strapped in
Peloton app membership is separate

Key Specs

Who It’s For

Greatest for type fanatics trying to get rowing class-level suggestions from their dwelling.

Why We Love It

Peloton’s Rower is nice for anybody searching for a studio-like expertise. The Peloton app encompasses a number of rowing courses for each degree that preserve us engaged and inspire us to present our all throughout exercises. We additionally like that the app affords real-time type suggestions when paired together with your rower and allows you to know if you happen to make errors when you row. It usually will inform us that we’re pulling on the handlebars too early or we’re utilizing our legs greater than we should always, mimicking the expertise of understanding in individual with a coach.

Peloton’s Rower options clean magnetic resistance and the included wheels make it straightforward to maneuver round when not in use. It additionally mimics the feeling of rowing on water greater than different choices we examined. The audio and video streamed from the rower are tremendous clear, and we notably benefit from the scenic rowing exercises that may be streamed from the app. Plus, we like that the Peloton encompasses a cellphone and cup holder.

Potential Flaws

The seat lacks cushioning and feels much less snug in comparison with others we’ve examined.
We discover it arduous to achieve the handlebars as soon as our toes are locked into place on the rower.
You’ll must pay for a Peloton All-Entry Membership to reap the benefits of the total options of this rower, and to get entry to the category library.

Meet Our Tester

Our tester is an intermediate rower who was on their highschool’s rowing group for a yr. With the handfuls of rowing courses provided in Peloton’s app, they really feel this selection is an efficient alternative for each newcomers and superior rowers. They’re 6 toes, 5 inches tall, and located the Peloton Rower secure sufficient to assist them.

PHOTO: Amazon

Professionals

Rotatable monitor for exercises off the rower
Newbie, intermediate, and superior courses provided
Easy, quiet strokes

Key Specs

Who It’s For

Greatest for train fanatics trying to get in additional than only a rowing exercise every day.

Why We Love It

Geared up with an adjustable monitor and a crystal-clear display screen, NordicTrack’s RW900 Rower can be utilized for rowing exercises and different iFit courses, together with yoga and weightlifting. We love that the 22-inch monitor rotates, so you may simply stream courses from an train mat as a substitute of the rower in your cross-training days.

With newbie, intermediate, and superior courses accessible, it’s a flexible possibility for any degree. Rowing exercises really feel clean and quiet, and the newbie courses provided by iFit are good at educating correct rowing type. Our tester, a sophisticated aggressive rower, notes that this selection is nice at mimicking rowing on water. As in open-water rowing, this rower requires you to push further arduous out of your toes originally of every stroke. The rower’s seat additionally mimics that of a rowing boat, bettering stability and giving rowers a really feel for the actual deal.

Potential Flaws

This selection doesn’t retailer vertically, though it has wheels which make it straightforward to maneuver when not in use.
The seat feels uncomfortable throughout longer rows as a result of it’s not as cushioned as different choices.

Meet Our Tester

Our tester is a sophisticated rower who rows three to 5 instances weekly and is on a aggressive group. They discovered the drive to be clean however famous that this rower machine could also be higher suited to a newbie.

PHOTO: Echelon

Key Specs

Who It’s For

Greatest for folks new to rowing who need good, introductory courses with out spending a fortune.

Why We Love It

Providing moderate-intensity exercises and a extra no-frills design, Echelon’s Row-S Linked Rowing Machine is a much less intimidating entry level to at-home rowing exercises. It affords stunning scenic exercises, which made one in all our testers need to strive open-water rowing for the primary time. We love that the Row-S stays secure, even throughout intense periods. The rower encompasses a snug seat and footrests with adjustable straps that preserve you locked in as you row.

We love that the 22-inch touchscreen rotates so you may stream mat exercises out of your rower and rowing exercises when in your machine. You’ll want an Echelon Premier Membership to unlock dwell courses, however at $12/month, the membership value is extra cheap than different choices we’ve examined. When rowing, the touchscreen shows primary stats like energy burned, output, and exercise length—nothing fancy, however it’s sufficient to maintain newcomers motivated as they see progress.

Potential Flaws

We discovered the setup of this rower tedious and troublesome, so chances are you’ll need assistance assembling it.
The resistance buttons are positioned on the handlebar, which brought about us to alter resistance whereas rowing a couple of instances by accident.

Meet Our Tester

Our tester is a beginner to constant rowing who discovered the scenic exercises provided by this rower helped preserve them engaged. Additionally they preferred how snug the rower felt and mentioned it is a good worth possibility for newcomers.

The adjustable, extra-large show display screen offers snug viewing for customers of all sizes.
PHOTO: Verywell Match / Julia Warren
The marginally padded handlebars supply a cushty grip, even throughout intense rows.
PHOTO: Verywell Match / Julia Warren

PHOTO: Aviron

Key Specs

Who It’s For

Greatest for bigger our bodies and folks searching for intense rowing exercises.

Why We Love It

With a 507-pound weight capability, Aviron’s Robust Go is among the most sturdy rowers we examined. It options an aluminum building that retains it secure regardless of how arduous you’re pushing your self. A wider seat additionally helps preserve the machine from wobbling, even after we push off notably arduous throughout strokes.

To get full entry to all that Aviron’s rower affords, you’ll need to buy a membership, which isn’t included. However with limitless profiles and greater than 1,000 trainer-led exercises for all talent ranges, we expect the membership is value it. With the membership, you’ll additionally be capable to comply with structured rowing exercise applications that vary from two to 12 weeks and give attention to both constructing energy or bettering rowing type. The handlebars, seat, and footrests have been all snug, and the rower is straightforward to arrange and has a smooth design.

Potential Flaws

It doesn’t include a show, however it encompasses a machine holder, so you may simply place your pill or smartphone in that slot and stream exercises from there.

Meet Our Tester

Our tester is an intermediate exerciser who is comparatively new to rowing. They felt this rower was well-suited to any talent degree, with varied exercise applications to maintain folks engaged. Additionally they love that this machine is extraordinarily secure and simple to arrange with a contemporary design that’s very space-efficient.

PHOTO: Amazon

Professionals

Accommodates all heights
Comfy seat
Very secure

Key Specs

Who It’s For

Greatest for a family with a number of customers of various styles and sizes who need a extremely adjustable rower.

Why We Love It

With an adjustable footrest and seat, Concept2’s RowErg is a extremely customizable possibility that labored nice for our average-size tester and their husband, who’s 6 toes, 8 inches tall. It affords a very clean and constant rowing expertise and is exceptionally secure. The Concept2 is the gold customary within the rowing trade and feels as near open-water rowing as you may get. The 14-inch seat could be very snug and suits rowers of various sizes.

Whereas it doesn’t function a touchscreen monitor like different choices we examined, it’s outfitted with a small show that reveals primary information like tempo, watts, stroke charge, and energy burned. It’s additionally one of many most dependable choices in the marketplace, utilized by rowing groups worldwide, which greater than makes up for its lack of display screen options.

Potential Flaws

It’s not geared towards individuals who want a monitor to compete and take dwell courses, however you can connect your smartphone to the rower and use it to stream exercises or reveals.

Meet Our Tester

Our tester is a sophisticated exerciser with in depth rowing expertise and a former D1 rower at Syracuse College. They discovered this selection to be a fantastic worth and a really dependable rower, noting that’s why it’s the gold customary for rowing groups worldwide.

PHOTO: Ergatta

Professionals

Scenic exercises
Tremendous clear show
No jerkiness

Key Specs

Who It’s For

Greatest for individuals who want some further aggressive incentive to crush a exercise.

Why We Love It

Options like an AI coach for type enchancment, scenic rowing choices in Europe and Asia, and the power to race different Ergatta customers make the Ergatta Lite a novel rower. Should you want to make use of your self as competitors, you can set targets and compete towards them on the rower’s crisp show.

We love that the show is tremendous clear and rotates for off-rower exercises and that the audio system are additionally top quality. Plus, the Ergatta Lite by no means wobbles or feels unstable throughout exercises, and the water whooshing within the reservoir as we row creates a nice sound that mimicks rowing on water. In contrast to lower-quality rowers, this one is tremendous sturdy and by no means feels jerky throughout strokes.

Potential Flaws

Shorter folks could discover the handlebars to be too removed from their our bodies.
Altering the monitor’s place is slightly troublesome and takes time to get used to.

Meet Our Tester

Our tester is a newbie to train who has some expertise with rowing. They preferred this selection for its potential to supply clean resistance and scenic routes that encourage an immersive really feel.

What to Search for When Searching for a Rowing Machine

Deal with Design: Grip shouldn’t be a limiting issue to getting an excellent exercise on a rower. Think about rowing machines with textured handles so sweaty arms gained’t slip off as simply, particularly if you happen to carrying jewellery like silicone rings. Simply be sure the deal with remains to be snug to carry (and isn’t so tough that it provides you blisters).
Sturdiness: Most rowing machines are vital investments, so be sure yours is designed with supplies that can final. Fuhrmann recommends searching for sturdy machines with a weight capability of not less than 300 kilos.
Storage and Portability: Most rowing machines are pretty giant, so measure your area earlier than buying. When you have a smaller dwelling gymnasium, contemplate a foldable rowing machine or one thing with wheels that may be moved out of the best way when wanted.
Programming: Many machines include built-in programming to assist encourage a greater exercise. This may be achieved via options like computerized resistance modifications or scenic rowing choices to assist preserve customers engaged. Whereas these further options are good and could also be value it for avid rowers, Aboulalazm says that newcomers or these on a finances can even get a fantastic rowing exercise with out these add-ons.
Extra Options: Many fashionable rowers have useful, high-tech options to boost your exercises and efficiency. Some can monitor your coronary heart charge, whereas others present real-time type suggestions as you row. You might also need a rower that permits you to display screen courses taught by skilled instructors or one with a fantastic audio system on your favourite playlists. On the subject of the rower’s design, some have followers or cellphone holders. In keeping with Fuhrmann, your rower ought to, on the naked minimal, be capable to inform you how lengthy you’ve been rowing, what number of strokes you’re doing per minute, and your cut up per 500 meters, which is the common time it’s taking you to row 500 meters.

How We Take a look at Rowing Machines

To seek out the most effective rowing machines for at-home exercises, we examined 18 rowing machines for a complete of 6,624 hours. Every machine was examined a minimal of thrice per week in our testers’ houses. When testing rowing machines, we consider every decide based mostly on the next key standards:

Stability: A high-quality rower needs to be secure and stable to maintain you secure whereas utilizing it. As we take a look at every rower, we word if it wobbles or shakes throughout each straightforward and intense exercises. We additionally take note of how the seat feels—is it large sufficient, or are we struggling to really feel supported and safe?
Efficiency: Throughout testing, we decide the general expertise of utilizing the rower. Does the mechanism really feel clean, or does it jerk us round? How loud is it? How does the texture evaluate to rowing on open water? If the rower features a subscription with courses, we strive as many dwell periods and pre-recorded exercises as we are able to. And if it syncs with an app, we verify to see how purposeful it’s. Is it straightforward to make use of, and does it improve our expertise?
Adjustability: A high-quality rowing machine needs to be adjustable, particularly if it is utilized by a number of folks in your family. When testing, we prioritize rowers with adjustable footrests and screens. We additionally word in the event that they’re foldable or produce other options that make them straightforward to retailer.
Consolation: A rower’s seat, handles, and footrests all contribute to its consolation. Throughout testing, we word how grippy the handlebars are and the way padded the seat is. We additionally word if we type blisters or different irritation on our arms from utilizing the rower.
Show: If a rower has a digital show or monitor, we be sure it clearly reveals a variety of knowledge. How does the audio sound? Can we rotate and tilt the display screen? That is particularly necessary for rowers with a subscription that provides you entry to non-rowing exercises. Generally, does the show add to our rowing expertise?
Worth: To precisely charge every rower’s worth, we wait to verify the value till the tip of the testing interval, after we’ve evaluated it in all different classes. Primarily based on the rower’s efficiency, how a lot would we pay for it? Rowers with excessive worth scores usually value lower than what we’d contemplate paying for them, bearing in mind their different scores and options.

We make the most of the entire rower’s options to make sure they perform correctly, are straightforward to make use of, and improve the general expertise.
Verywell Match/Julia Warren

Our Consultants

We spoke with three consultants at totally different phases of our testing and analysis course of to higher perceive what key options to search for in the most effective rowers. For instance, we spoke with Jordan Beall, PT, DPT, a bodily therapist, earlier than testing to grasp what inexperienced and purple flags to look out for when evaluating every rowing machine. Throughout and after testing, we spoke with a rowing skilled and a private coach to higher perceive the advantages of utilizing a rowing machine and any further suggestions.

Salsabila Aboulalazm, licensed private coach at Iron Tradition gymnasium in New Jersey
Sarah Fuhrmann, licensed rowing teacher and CEO of UCanRow2
Jordan Beall, PT, DPT, bodily therapist at Tribeca Bodily Remedy in New York

Our testers examined every machine not less than thrice per week of their houses.
Verywell Match/Cecily McAndrews

Tips on how to Use a Rowing Machine

A rowing machine can present a wonderful low-impact cardio exercise if you happen to use it accurately. There are 4 phases to the rowing movement—you’ll must grasp the correct type to get the most effective exercise and forestall accidents.

Catch: Correct posture is significant originally of every rep. Be sure to’re sitting up tall, together with your arms straightened. Utilizing your lats, pull your shoulders down (away out of your ears) and interact your core to guard your decrease again. Lean ahead barely to start section two.
Drive: Begin pushing via your legs, holding your core engaged. When your legs are straight, hinge at your hips and lean again—goal for 45 levels. End by pulling the deal with all the best way into your physique, stopping a couple of inches wanting your stomach button. Order is necessary: legs, core, shoulders and hips, arms.
End: The other of catch. By the tip of section two, your legs needs to be utterly straight. Preserve leaning again together with your arms, the rower’s deal with pulled in towards your physique, and your elbows tucked into your sides.
Recuperate: Reverse the drive section to return to the catch place. Straighten your arms, hinge your hips ahead to bend your torso over your legs, then bend your knees. Repeat all 4 phases for every rep.

Regularly Requested Questions

What kind of rowing machine is greatest for dwelling use?

Neither is best than the opposite—it’s as much as your private desire. Some folks like water-based rowers as a result of they mimic the sound and really feel of rowing on open water, whereas others like magnetic rowers for his or her clean, silent operation, Fuhrmann says.

How usually ought to I row to see outcomes?

Fuhrmann recommends that newcomers begin by rowing for 5 to 10 minutes a couple of instances every week after which enhance over time. They need to typically begin to see outcomes as soon as they’ll row for 20 minutes or extra a couple of instances per week.

What muscle tissues does a rowing machine work?

Rowing machines goal each your higher and decrease physique, which means you may get a full-body exercise from the consolation of your private home. Aboulalazm likes them as a result of they mean you can emphasize sure physique elements whereas partaking the core.

What are the advantages of rowing?

Utilizing a rowing machine could assist you burn extra energy, enhance cardiovascular health, present a joint-friendly health possibility, strengthen your higher and decrease physique muscle tissues, and even enhance posture.

Why Belief Verywell Match

Jack Byram is a contract author and train fanatic continuously searching for new methods to enhance his health and well-being. As a former athlete and longtime gym-goer, he is aware of the worth of workouts like rowing that work your muscular and cardiovascular programs with out overwhelming your joints. For this text, he had the pleasure of talking with two health consultants to higher perceive the entire advantages of rowing.