When setting up your home gym, sometimes it can be a bit difficult to choose the right equipment. A great item to invest in would be a rowing machine. They can help you perform a full-body workout and improve your cardio. They can keep you active and help improve endurance while targeting multiple major muscles.
There are a range of different rowing machines available. Some will be quiet and great for home use, whereas others will be better for high-intensity workouts. If you’re unsure which equipment to choose, explore our guide to what is the best rowing machine for home use. Below we have reviewed some rowing machines.
Table of Contents
Rowing Machine Considerations
A great way to help improve your cardio and muscular endurance is by using a rowing machine. Unlike some equipment, it will target multiple parts of your body.If you’re planning to create a home workout space, explore our guide to the best rowing machines for home gym to find suitable equipment for your fitness needs.
While working out, you will use your legs to help push against the footrests. Your back, shoulders, arms and core will all be used to complete the rowing motion. This can be a great way to work your whole body.
Benefits of Using a Rowing Machine
- Full Body Workout: Will target your legs, back, arms, shoulders and core.
- Cardio Workout: Can help improve your cardiovascular endurance.
- Muscular Endurance: Due to the repetitive movement, your muscles will be targeted.
- Steady or Intense Workouts: Workouts can be adjusted to suit your fitness level.
- Easy to Use: Can be used whenever it is convenient.
- Low Impact: Less impact on your joints than other exercises such as running, as long as you use the correct technique.
Your workout effectiveness depends on how intensely and often you exercise, as well as your lifestyle.
Types of Rowing Machines
The first thing to consider is what type of resistance they have. They all have slight differences.
Magnetic Rowing Machine
Magnetic rowing machines are a popular choice for home use. They use magnets and a flywheel.
Most will have manual or electric resistance. This means you can increase or decrease your intensity.
They will generally be quiet, so you can watch TV or listen to music while exercising.
Pros
- Quiet operation.
- Adjustable resistance.
- Low maintenance.
- Good for beginners and regular home use.
- Available in a range of prices.
Cons
- Doesn’t feel as natural.
- Basic models may not have much resistance.
- Some cheap models may not have a comfortable seat.
Who Should Buy?
If you’re a beginner, live in an apartment or just want a simple rowing machine to use regularly at home, then this would be a good choice.
Water Rowing Machine
Water rowing machines use paddles in a water-filled tank. When you pull the handle, you will be moving the paddles through the water.
Many people love these as they feel very natural to use. The water gives a different feel.
There are a range of types available. Many are made of wood.
Pros
- Feels very natural.
- Resistance will increase depending on how hard you are rowing.
- Very smooth movement.
- Nice designs.
- Can be used for steady or intense workouts.
Cons
- Often more expensive.
- Tank requires some maintenance.
- Some can be heavy and hard to move.
- May require some water treatment periodically, depending on the manufacturer’s instructions.
Who Should Buy?
If you love the realistic feel and are happy to pay more, then this would be a good choice.
Air Rowing Machine
Air rowing machines use a flywheel. The harder and faster you row, the more resistance you will get.
These are commonly used in gyms as they can handle high-intensity workouts. If you want to increase your stamina, then this is a great choice.
As there is no fixed resistance, you will get more resistance depending on how hard you are working.
Pros
- Resistance depends on how hard you are working.
- Great for high-intensity workouts.
- Great for improving your stamina.
- Suitable for different fitness levels.
- Often comes with tracking features.
Cons
- Can be quite noisy during intense workouts.
- Some models can take up more space.
- Fan may require some maintenance.
Who Should Buy?
If you love intense workouts, interval training and regular stamina sessions, then this would be a good choice.
Hydraulic Rowing Machine
Hydraulic rowing machines generally use pistons to create resistance. They are often small and affordable.
Some have separate arms to row with. This means you can target your arms individually.
They are compact, so they can be great if you don’t have much space. However, they may not feel as smooth.
Pros
- Often affordable.
- Compact design.
- Great for smaller workout areas.
- Great for occasional workouts.
Cons
- May not feel as natural.
- May not have consistent resistance.
- Not all have much adjustability.
- Some models may not provide a full-body rowing experience.
Who Should Buy?
If you’re a beginner and looking for an affordable, small piece of equipment to perform light workouts in the comfort of your own home, then this may be a good choice.
Comparison of Rowing Machines
Below is a quick overview to help you decide what type of rowing machine is best for you.
| Type | Noise Level | Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Magnetic | Low | Low-Medium | Quiet Home Use |
| Water | Medium | Medium-High | Natural Feel |
| Air | Medium-High | Medium-High | Intensive Training |
| Hydraulic | Low-Medium | Low | Budget Beginners |
Prices will vary depending on the brand, design, features and market. Make sure you check the specifications of each machine.
Tracking
Ensure your machine will help you track your progress. Try to find one that shows:
- How long your workout was.
- Distance covered.
- Strokes per minute.
- Total strokes.
- Estimated calories burned.
Remember that calorie readings are only estimates.
Storage
If you have limited space, then try to find one that can be folded up and/or has wheels. Measure your available space to ensure the machine will fit. You can also explore the best rowing machines for home gym to compare options that may work well in your home workout area.
Are More Expensive Machines Better?
Not always. More expensive machines often have higher-quality construction, more resistance options, a better screen, connectivity and extra features.
They can come with extra features such as Bluetooth, interactive workouts, advanced tracking and comfortable seats.
But these features aren’t always necessary.
If you’re a beginner, you may just want a basic machine such as a magnetic rower. If you exercise regularly and want to increase the intensity of your workouts, then an air or water machine may be a good choice.
Consider how often you will be using it and what features would be helpful.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Before buying a rowing machine, avoid making these common mistakes:
- Not spending enough: Very cheap machines may not be comfortable or durable.
- Not checking the size: Make sure it fits in your workout area.
- Not checking the resistance: Different resistance types provide different rowing experiences.
- Ignoring reviews: Customer reviews can help you identify potential issues.
- Paying for too many extra features: You may not use all the additional technology.
- Ignoring maintenance: Check whether the machine needs regular cleaning, lubrication or other maintenance.
Final Thoughts
Knowing what types of machines are available will make it easier to decide what to go for. Magnetic machines are perfect for home use as they are very quiet. Water machines will give you a natural feel. Air machines are great if you like high-intensity workouts. If you don’t have a large budget to spend, then a hydraulic machine may be a good choice to start with.
Consider the resistance, comfort, size, weight limit and warranty. Read genuine reviews to help ensure you choose a machine that meets your fitness goals.
A comfortable rower will mean you can use it regularly. Choosing the right machine will make your home workouts more enjoyable.
Saba Mirza is a Health, Wellness & Lifestyle Writer at Being Healthy Life with 3+ years of writing experience. She creates clear, informative, and reader-focused content covering health, wellness, nutrition, fitness, natural health, and lifestyle topics.
View Profile →
Sameena Begum is a health, technology, and digital content reviewer who reviews selected articles to help ensure that information is presented clearly, accurately, and responsibly.
View Profile →
Dr. Syed Imtiaz is a qualified medical professional with MBBS and MD qualifications and 5+ years of experience. As a Medical Reviewer at Being Healthy Life, he reviews selected health and wellness content for medical accuracy, clarity, appropriate context, and responsible presentation.
View Profile →