The 11 Greatest Rowing Machines of 2025, Examined

Forms of Rowing Machines

There are a number of varieties of rowing machines, every with a unique really feel and advantages. These are the 4 kinds you’ll come throughout as you store.

• Magnetic: A well-liked alternative for dwelling use, these rowing machines use magnets to create resistance, which permits for clean operation. They’re possibility for a extra managed, quiet exercise.
• Hydraulic: Hydraulic rowers create resistance utilizing pistons crammed with hydraulic fluid. They’re usually extra budget-friendly and compact, however they don’t at all times really feel as clean as different choices.
• Water: These rowers have a water tank with pedals inside, in order that they simulate the texture of rowing on the water. Though they’re identified for his or her pure really feel and clean movement, they might even be heavy and hulking.
• Air: The flywheel on air-powered rowers incorporates a fan, which turns and pulls in air as you row. The more durable you pull, the extra resistance the fan gives. Air resistance rowers are nice for high-intensity exercises, however they are typically louder than different varieties.

What to Search for When Looking for a Rowing Machine

• Deal with Design: Take into account rowing machines with textured handles so your sweaty palms received’t slip off as simply. Simply be sure that the deal with continues to be snug to carry (and isn’t so tough that it offers you blisters.)
• Sturdiness: Licensed rowing teacher Sarah Fuhrmann recommends on the lookout for sturdy machines with a weight capability of at the least 300 kilos. Most rowing machines are important investments, so be sure that yours is designed with supplies that can final.
• Storage and Portability: Rowing machines are typically pretty massive, so examine the size and decide the place you’ll be utilizing them. If house is a matter, select one that’s foldable and has transport wheels for straightforward storage. 
• Programming: Many machines supply subscription-based programming, similar to dwell lessons, on-demand exercises, or scenic rowing choices, to assist hold customers engaged. Train physiologist Kaleigh Ray says it’s essential to determine beforehand if you would like that sort of content material, as a rower might need restricted options with out the paid membership.
• Particular Options: Many rowers have high-tech options to reinforce your exercises and efficiency. Some may even monitor your coronary heart fee or mechanically regulate resistance, whereas others present real-time kind suggestions as you row. Constructed-in followers and cup or telephone holders are additionally helpful options.

How We Examined the Rowing Machines

To search out the very best rowing machines for at-home exercises, we examined 20 rowing machines for a complete of 6,624 hours. Every machine was examined a minimal of thrice per week in our houses. When testing rowing machines, we consider every decide primarily based on the next key standards.

• Stability: A high-quality rower must be sturdy and steady to maintain you protected whereas utilizing it. Throughout testing, we be aware whether or not the machine wobbles or shakes throughout simple and intense exercises. We additionally take note of how the seat feels—is it huge sufficient, or can we battle to really feel supported and safe?
• Efficiency: Does the rowing really feel clean, or does it jerk us round? How loud is it? Is it snug and simple to make use of? If the rower features a subscription with lessons, we attempt some dwell periods and pre-recorded exercises to find out their high quality and effectiveness. And if it provides a suitable app, we consider its performance. 
• Adjustability: Most rowers are adjustable, so we make be aware of this throughout testing. We ask issues like: Are the footrests adjustable to accommodate all foot sizes? Can the monitor be tilted? How simple is it to regulate the resistance, each earlier than and through a exercise? One of the best rowing machines could be rapidly and simply adjusted. 
• Consolation: A rower’s seat, handles, and footrests all contribute to its consolation. Throughout testing, we be aware how grippy the handlebars are and whether or not we kind blisters or different irritation on our palms. We additionally contemplate how the seat’s width and padding add to the general consolation.
• Show: If a rower has a digital show or monitor, we be sure that it clearly reveals a variety of helpful information. How does the audio sound? Is it a touchscreen? Can we rotate and tilt the display screen? That is particularly essential for machines with a subscription that offers you entry to off-rower exercises. Normally, we contemplate whether or not the show enhances our rowing expertise.
• Worth: To precisely fee every rower’s worth, we wait to examine the worth till the top of the testing interval, after we’ve evaluated it in all different classes. Based mostly on the rower’s efficiency and options, we contemplate how a lot we’d pay for it. Rowing machines with high-value scores typically value lower than what we’d contemplate paying for them. 

Our Consultants

We consulted specialists at every stage of our analysis, testing, and reporting course of. Some specialists helped us higher perceive what key options to search for when searching for rowing machines, whereas others helped us higher perceive the advantages of utilizing one. We select merchandise independently, however professional enter helps inform our choices to make sure our suggestions are grounded in skilled experience.

Methods to Use a Rowing Machine

The rowing movement includes a collection of 4 distinct phases, every essential to getting an efficient exercise and stopping accidents. Right here’s a primary information:

• Catch: Sit tall in your rowing machine, along with your arms straightened, knees bent, and ankles flexed. Chill out your shoulders and have interaction your core as you lean barely ahead.
• Drive: Push off along with your legs, straightening them and preserving your core engaged. As your legs prolong, lean again out of your hips at a 45-degree angle. Then, pull the deal with towards your chest along with your arms, stopping just a few inches in need of your stomach button. This sequence of legs, core, and arms must be completed in a single clean, fluid movement.
• End: Proceed leaning again with the deal with pulled towards your physique. Your elbows must be tucked into your sides and pointed behind you. Maintain your again straight, not rounded, and proceed participating your core.
• Restoration: Straighten your arms, hinge your hips ahead to bend your torso over your legs, after which bend your knees to return to the catch place. Maintain the movement fluid and managed.

Steadily Requested Questions

What sort of rowing machine is finest for dwelling use? 

Magnetic and water rowers are each nice choices for dwelling use, however it is dependent upon your private choice. Some folks select magnetic rowers for his or her quiet, clean operation, whereas others like that water rowers simulate sensible on-water rowing, Ray says.

How typically ought to I row to see outcomes? 

Fuhrmann recommends that novices begin by rowing for 5 to 10 minutes just a few occasions every week after which improve over time. They need to typically begin to see outcomes as soon as they’ll row for 20 minutes or extra just a few occasions per week.

What are the advantages of rowing? 

Utilizing a rowing machine could allow you to burn extra energy, enhance cardiovascular health, strengthen your higher physique, core, and decrease physique muscular tissues, and even enhance posture. It’s additionally extra low-impact than different types of cardio, like operating, making it accessible to all health ranges.

Why Belief Verywell Match

A licensed private coach, operating coach, gymnasium buff, and author for Verywell Match, Christine Luff, ACE-CPT, spends numerous hours researching and testing the newest train gear and tools. Her a long time of coaching athletes have helped her perceive the worth of utilizing the very best merchandise for optimum efficiency and luxury. As a distance runner, she dietary supplements her weekly mileage with cardio exercises on a rowing machine. She additionally reviewed testing outcomes from our lab to assist compile this checklist.