The best rowing machines give you a full body workout. They put your heart and lungs to task with every stroke. What did the result look like? It's serious fitness gains.
If you are considering adding one of the best treadmills (opens in new tab) to your home gym arsenal or weighing up the pros and cons of rowing vs cycling for getting your fitness fix, we recommend hitting the (Virtual) water.
It is an accessible form of physical activity. You don't have to learn how to do a bunch of exercises for a high intensity interval training circuit. It is possible to learn how to use a rowing machine to perfect your technique, but getting started is easy.
Experts say what they say.
"Rowing machines cost next to nothing to run, because you don't plug them in like you would a treadmill," says personal trainer and gym owner Steve Hoyle They are suitable for all fitness levels, from beginners to professional athletes.
A 2015 study published in the National Library of Medicine looked to find out how five weekly indoor rowing sessions would impact 20 visually impaired individuals. The results showed a decrease in fat mass and total body fat percent after the training.
If you're looking for a home workout tool to help build your strength and cardiovascular capacity, the best rowing machines are hard to beat.
The top-end model is loved by rowers because of its unbeatable performance and data- tracking prowess. It's the model that's used in most indoor rowing competition and is installed in many gym across the country. We were pleasantly surprised at how smooth and comfortable it was when we tried it out.
Users say what they say.
It's clear that the Concept2 Model D rower has impressed users because it has an impressive 4.9 out of 5 on Amazon. One user complained that it wasn't suitable for building muscles.
It's easy to keep track of how much you rowed with the Concept2 logbook. It's possible to enter contests and pit yourself against other users over a set distance.
The Concept2 RowErg's noise levels are not excessive, even though the white noise produced by the flywheel is louder than a magnetic rowing machine.
The rowing machine's monitor is compatible with the ErgData app, which allows you to monitor all your performance statistics, as well as store and display your workout results. The app is compatible with a number of mobile devices. You can use the monitor to take advantage of online classes, coaching and training programs. It's possible to sync up to virtual racing.
People tend to keep their Concept2 RowErg for a long time because of the simplicity of the machine's design and tech, as well as the helpful customer support.
The Hydrow Rower is considered the best rowing machine in the world thanks to its cinematic 22in screen and on-demand workouts. Having put one to the test, we think that description doesn't do it justice.
Users say what they say.
The Hydrow has an average rating of 4.5 out of five stars on Amazon. Buyers say it makes rowing fun through its interactive virtual workouts. The Hydrow is a great workout that is easy on my knees, according to one person.
When it comes to studio classes with bright lights and Duracell bunny-like instructors, the Hydrow is just as good, if not better, than the other ones.
You can row on scenic lakes and waterways such as Scotland's Loch Lomond, which is much more entertaining than staring at a wall or a screen. There are detailed introductory videos to give first-timers a comprehensive rowing 101, and classes are led by experts who provide helpful technique tips while sprinkling in entertaining anecdotes to keep you engaged.
The twin goals of improving our fitness and performance kept us more engaged than a treadmill ride. We were less likely to take our foot off the gas during workouts due to the fact that we were competing with other Hydrow owners.
It's a big piece of kit and can't be folded like some of its competitors. Unless you pause or cancel your active membership, you won't be able to just row. The Hydrow Rower is one of the best home workout equipment on the market if you have the space to accommodate it.
A membership program is similar to the Hydrow.
Users say what they say.
The rower scored 4.2 out of 5 on Amazon. The reviews are mixed, with a small percentage of them being 1 star. Fans of the machine say it's a good addition to their home gym. There are complaints about poor customer service.
The main benefit of this rowing machine is its integration with the i Fit app.
You get access to everything from yoga to strength training as well as indoor rowing sessions led by elite rowers, if you join the membership.
It has a hybrid resistance system, with both magnetic and air resistance, so you can keep the noise down. The instructor can remotely adjust the resistance during live classes.
The membership subscription is not cheap if you only participate in one class a week. The screen in the classroom will show you calories and watt. You can enjoy rowing against waterways from all over the world.
It's disappointingly functional in appearance, apart from the screen which is well designed and rotates and tilts for complete comfort and to enable you to follow along when you're doing mat work. The advantage of folding is that it can be used for easy storage.
The buying guide will be updated once the review of the rowing machine is complete.
The Proform 750R is pleasant to be around. There isn't a flashy display here and it isn't built from wood that's aesthetically pleasing. It offers magnetic-based resistance and a whisper- quiet workout.
Users say what they say.
According to just 7 global ratings, this rowing machine has a 3.6 out of 5 rating. Positive reviews say that the rower is great value and very good quality, while negative reviews say that the free period of iFit that comes with the machine can be difficult to access.
Like other Proform and NordicTrack models, this rower comes with a free trial to the i Fit app, which contains a lot of workouts for you to follow. Resistance on your machine will be adjusted by your instructor during class.
To access this feature, and to be able to clearly see the workout, you will need a Tablets to the front of your machine. There is a basic digital display included with the rower, which will show you metrics such as calories, distance, speed, time and strokes per minute, but you won't be able to see the i Fit classes on this
You would be hard pressed to find a better option at this price. We found the top-end of the machine to be very difficult. It is a great option for people with limited floor space.
The set up process is difficult for this rower. Make sure you have a friend to help you with the installation process because the screws are hard to access and the machine is heavy. The machine is sturdy but will take some time to set up.
It is always a good idea to find a rowing machine at a budget price.
Users say what they say.
With a rating of 4.1 out of 5 on Amazon, this rower has a lot of fans with positive comments such as "This is a well built machine, nothing feels cheap or delicate and the resistance is good" The spring return mechanism broke and other reviewers complained.
If you want to get some exercise without spending a lot of money, this is a good option.
The design is fairly basic, but it does come in a range of colors which makes it a nice change from most rowing machines. It can be used for home use. The resistance comes from the amount of effort you put in, so you can't adjust the air flow.
Speed, distance, time and calories burned are some of the metrics that the monitor provides. It is similar to all air rowers in that it is not as quiet.
The main weakness is its strength. Some users complain about the spring breaking, but most customers find it to be an excellent value for money.
The buying guide will be updated once the review of the rowing machine is complete.
If you don't want a fancy machine for a basic workout, this magnetic rowing machine is a good option.
Users say what they say.
The rowing machine has a variety of positive reviews that mention aspects such as the reasonable price and how easy it is to assemble. Negative reviews talk about a lack of resistance and issues with viewing the display.
It is quiet due to the magnetic resistance. The resistance doesn't go high enough despite many levels of resistance being adjusted via a dial.
It was designed to be used in the home. It isn't designed with looks in mind, but it folds up for storage and won't bother the neighbors. It is not as strong as some machines, and some users say that it moves across the floor when in use.
This isn't the machine for you if you like feedback and data as there is only limited data on the digital monitor. It doesn't show the distance rowed, which many people regard as a basic piece of data
Unlike the Concept2 RowErg, this one doesn't have a phone holder. If it is a budget option, you will still get a good workout and plenty of sweat for your money.
The buying guide will be updated once the review of the rowing machine is complete.
Ergatta believes that working out should feel like a sport and not a class.
Users say what they say.
One person said that the Ergatta Rower is worth it. Without the 'gamification', my workouts would be 3-4x per week and wouldn't last as long or be as enjoyable. There was a two month delay and an issue with a technician assembling the rower.
Unlike some of the other subscription-based rowing machines, this one doesn't involve a class. Instead of following instructors, you can take part in competition and challenges with real-time feedback and personalized targets that adjust as you get fit.
You can pit yourself against other users in the program's competition. Ergatta has a Race of the Week and a new program each month to keep things fresh.
The machine that is used to row is designed by WaterRower. The main difference is that it is made from American cherry wood, which makes it the best looking rowing machine out there. It will work with Heart Rate Monitors.
The WaterRower has a smooth action and hiss-and-swish sound. Without removing water from the drum, the resistance won't be adjusted.
The price is one of the main drawbacks. The machine is more expensive than any of the wooden ones. The cost of the membership is comparable to Hydrow and Nordic Track.
If you like the idea of a membership program but don't like the instructor-led group sessions, this could be a good program for you. A rower with a group class program would work better if they were encouraged by an instructor. WaterRower is the place to go if you want the beautiful wooden water rower.
The buying guide will be updated once the review of the rowing machine is complete.
This is one of the best looking rowers out there. You are more likely to want it on display if it is put upright for storage.
Users say what they say.
WaterRower received a 4.5 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot. A person says that they have had a water rower for 25 years. It's great to be able to get replacements. Shipping delays are mentioned in a few reviews.
The design and sound of the WaterRower make it a popular choice. WaterRower says it recreates the experience of rowing on the water, and it does deliver a smooth, comfortable row, but it's telling that most serious rowers prefer the Concept2 RowErg over the WaterRower.
Rowers don't go for the WaterRower because they don't get as much data as on the RowErg The S4 monitor is a big improvement over the previous design, but it is hard to read and miss some key functions. It shows time, distance, speed/intensity, stroke rate and heart rate. It is difficult to program and there is no option to set time intervals. The 2K split is nice for people who are going to compete.
You can't change the water resistance. You need to pop a tablets in from time to time to keep up with it.
The buying guide will be updated once the review of the rowing machine is complete.
It's easy to use rowing machines and they offer great low impact fitness benefits. Stephen Hoyle, a personal trainer, told Live Science that a good rowing machine will last you a long time. There's no complicated machinery, just a chain that needs oiling and a computer that will need a battery change.
Is it still possible to change from a treadmill to a rowing machine? We summarized our thoughts on the rowing machine versus treadmill debate in order to help you make an informed decision. There is advice on how to use a rowing machine to lose weight.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
