With so many options in terms of rower type, tech perks, and design, it’s tough to know which model to buy. Based on research and years of experience as a certified personal trainer, this list of the best rowing machines will help you narrow down your picks based on specific needs. Research shows that those who row have a higher aerobic capacity, greater muscle mass in the thighs and trunk, and lower risk of atherosclerosis than those who are the same age but sedentary. Similar studies have shown rowing to increase aerobic capacity (a measure of physical fitness and heart health) and muscle power, leading to a better blood lipid profile—all of which are beneficial for your cardiovascular and overall health. Rowing is ideal for those needing a low-impact form of exercise that’s easier on the joints, and an excellent choice for beginners or anyone with joint pain or mobility issues. Air rowers produce resistance through air displacement as it flows around the flywheel. Magnetic rowers create resistance through magnetic current, which resists the spinning of the flywheel. Water rowers use paddles on the flywheel that run through a tank filled with water to create resistance. And, finally, hydraulic rowers use pistons in place of a flywheel to create resistance as you pull against either fluid or air pressure inside a cylinder. The type of resistance you prefer can also determine the price, experience, and quality. Hydraulic, magnetic, and water rowers are quieter than air rowers, but air rowers may best mimic the experience of rowing in actual water. If you simply want an excellent workout and aren’t concerned with how similar your rowing experience is to an actual watercraft, then you might choose something other than an air rower. If space is your main concern, magnetic and hydraulic rowers are typically more compact than air or water rowers. The design includes an ergonomic seat, adjustable foot pads, and a weight limit of 300 pounds—which, we’ll point out, is lower than similar designs. Reviews on Echelon’s website are overwhelmingly positive, with several beginners raving about the programming and motivating features. One writes, “I purchased my first rower in November. It has been a nice way to rest my body from weight training and from the spin bike. I love the variety of the available classes and many different instructors. There is something for everyone. A seasoned rower or a novice like myself.” The machine is also relatively quiet due to magnetic resistance, making it a great choice for apartments and small spaces. Overall, it is a fantastic, no-frills rower with 12 adjustable resistance levels and a digital monitor that helps track time, stroke, and calories so you can log your progress. The small frame and quiet decibel mean you can even use it in front of the television without taking up too much space, which users tend to call out in their reviews. Many reviewers report being surprised by how sturdy, smooth, and compact the design is, raving about the excellent value it provides. Customers note that their whole family uses the machine, “it’s quiet and doesn’t make any noise,” and that it feels well-made, especially for the price. Rowing on this machine is exceptionally smooth, due to a combination of air and magnetic resistance. When testing, we found it very comfortable and accommodating. The rower has adjustable features like foot width, which is unique to Aviron. With a weight limit of 507 pounds and a height limit of 6-feet 8-inches, it is ideal for many body types. Plus, the higher seat height makes getting on and off the machine a breeze. With a 4.8 out of 5 stars, the Aviron is a fan favorite. Some reviewers (like me, the writer) were accustomed to using a traditional air rower until someone recommended he try an interactive model, and are now converts. Others say this rower motivates them to exercise every day. One writes, “I truly love this rower. It is so diverse in its programs, and even on my laziest days, I get to Netflix and row. I have also utilized the strength training portions that are led by an instructor and definitely get a nice burn the day after.” This durable-yet-compact rower has a 16-inch screen with access to a library of live and on-demand classes, albeit at a fee of $38 per month, which is higher than some comparable brands. The weight capacity for the Hydrow Wave is 375 pounds, accommodating more body types than a few others on our list. The Hydrow Wave has an overall rating of 4.7 out of 5, from almost 10,000 customers. People mostly comment on the ease-of-assembly and how energized they feel after using this machine. This rower accommodates a wide range of body types with a 500-pound weight capacity and 6-foot 8-inch height limit. Although the resistance cannot be adjusted like it can for a magnetic rower, it still provides a fantastic full-body workout, and more closely mimics that of real water rowing. Keep in mind, there is some light maintenance involved in terms of topping up and replacing the water—and you will need to pay for a subscription to access programming. The Ergatta rower has an overall rating of 4.9 stars out of 5, from almost 700 customers. A common theme in the reviews is how enjoyable it is to use, and how consistent people are with their workouts because of that. Plenty of people also comment on the machine’s aesthetic, how fun the pre-programmed workouts are, and how “smooth” and “realistic” the rower feels compared to “real water.” While the design is a bit large, it folds up for storage. And, if the folded footprint is still too large, you can take it apart to store in even smaller spaces. This rower is ideal for those who want a quality, long-lasting machine but are not looking for a lot of tech or built-in programs. It does come with five workouts, but you’re on your own outside of those options. However, the performance monitor is top-notch, measuring elapsed time, average pace, split meters, strokes per minute, heart rate, and projected distance (meters) in 30 minutes. This machine takes the cake with 4.9 stars out of 5 overall, from almost 12,000 ratings. One user, who wrote a detailed review after extensive use, wrapped up by saying, “I enjoy that it’s full body and get less bored during the workout than I usually do running or on an exercise bike. If you need just one piece of equipment and one workout, this machine certainly is a good choice given how many body parts are worked in each stroke.”
