Whether you're expanding your existing home gym or just starting to build one, an indoor rowing machine is a must-have. The best rowing machine offers up an intense, diversified workout that will strengthen your biceps, triceps, lats, abs, traps, quads, glutes, and beyond. (In other words, they hit basically every muscle.)
Obviously, rowing works the arms, but the power in each stroke actually comes from the lower half of your body, and your core is engaged to transfer all of that power. The exercise works the majority of your muscles in just one stroke — 85% of all muscle groups, to be exact. “Rowing is one of the most effective workouts you can do for your body,” says Annie Mulgrew, vice president and founding instructor at CITYROW. “It releases endorphins that make you feel empowered and confident, and it's low-impact and high-intensity — which means results!”
The best part? You can watch your favorite reality TV show or college sports game while you do it. You also don't even have to leave your house to get a good rowing workout in: Not only can you tune into sessions from apps like the CITYROW GO app, but indoor rowing machines are widely available. And, if we do say so ourselves, they make a nice addition to anyone’s home gym.
In addition to having full control at home when it comes to setting the mood (aka turning up your tunes, turning down the lights, or even picking up an extra set of dumbbells), rowing is a workout in which other elements can be incorporated at your own pace. Here are some specs to consider when shopping:
Resistance type: There are four common types of rowing machines: water, air, magnetic, and hydraulic. These indicate the type of flywheel or resistance mechanism in the machine. Results can be similar across the board, with the variables being budget, space/footprint, noise level, and level of realism. As expected, water machines offer the most realistic rowing experience and have a more premium home-gym appearance, but can require tank cleaning. Air, hydraulic, and magnetic machines are typically sleeker and foldable (thus easier to store). They can also have more affordable options.
App compatibility: More and more machines feature Bluetooth tech that allows them to sync with their own on-demand studio workout apps. These can be very useful for beginners, visual learners, and those in need of more motivation for their workouts.
Adjustability: Some machines have elliptical mechanisms that allow for less muscle pain and quicker results. Other machines allow for various levels of resistance and tension, and even others allow for simultaneous upper-body workouts. Looking for the features that best adjust to your fitness level, goals, and body type helps ensure the most effective rowing experience.
If you get creative enough, you’ll literally never run out of challenges with an indoor rowing machine. It's all you need for an intense — and super satisfying — full-body workout.
If you're looking for the cream of the crop, look no further: This rower sits at the top of the class. The main difference is that it uses a water flywheel — similar to the sport of rowing itself — to replicate the feel of being in a boat on a lake or in an ocean. Its monitor tracks all the usual stats, including stroke rate, intensity, duration, and distance. And yes, Mulgrew says this is the machine used in CITYROW classes.
“The water-filled tank helps drive a smoother rowing experience,” she says. “The machines are sleek and easy to store. You can store them vertically, and they take up very little space.” You can also purchase a WaterRower specifically designed to stream CITYROW classes from home.
Water flywheel and 16 hydro-blades offer a realistic experience
Lightweight yet sturdy steel
Short warranty period
Key Specs
Type: Water
Dimensions: 80x22x34 inches, 91.9 pounds
Weight capacity: 300 pounds
Features: Performance monitor, R2 Fitness Meter
Storage: Folds upright, has transport wheels
The 16 fan blades in the Obsidian Surge 500 mimic the actual rowing experience, thus giving unlimited levels of resistance. Fans of a realistic rowing feel will love the dynamic response of each stroke — and their muscles will, too.
Its R2 Fitness Meter tracks your progress, including total time, 500M time, SPM, total strokes, calories, and more. Its ergonomic, padded seat makes getting to your goals as comfortable as possible, too. At less than $500, this is a high-performing, no-compromise option that won't break the bank — and upwards of 2,000 Amazon reviewers agree.
It's easy to see why this indoor rowing machine from Sunny Health and Fitness is racking up fans on Amazon: It's straightforward, affordable, and just downright efficient. The machine uses magnetic resistance, allowing you to choose from eight levels of tension via a simple knob, while an extra-long slide rail (48 inches, to be exact) offers a longer range of motion to accommodate more body types.
Its easy-to-read LCD monitor — you'll see your time, count, calories, and total count — makes tracking progress a foolproof deal, so it's a great option for beginners. Thoughtful, storage-friendly details such as a foldable frame and transportation wheels also render it more appealing to apartment-dwellers.
If you've taken a group rowing class, chances are, you've used this machine before. It's one of the most popular ones on the market, and sports more than 8,000 Amazon rave reviews. You can adjust the built-in Performance Monitor (PM5) to your desired height, and track distance, speed, pace, calories burned, and watts.
If you have a heart rate belt and workout apps, the PM5 also has the option to connect wirelessly to both.
The Stamina ATS Air Rower is fully supported by müüv, an all-in-one smart audio coaching app that offers personalized workouts tailored to your machine, along with iHeartRadio connectivity. More guidance and motivation means more chances of sticking to your workouts.
The wheels on the bottom of this machine make it easy to maneuver around your home. It uses air resistance, which means the harder you row, the more resistance you'll experience. The display will tell you just how far you've traveled, and in what amount of time. Work to get those splits down!
Never underestimate the power of visual learning when it comes to getting results. The Fitness Reality 1000 Plus improves upon the basics of your standard rowing machine — 14 resistance levels, footpads that allow for upright exercises — with the ability to access on-demand studio classes. Download the MyCloudFitness (MCF) App and answer a few questions, and you’re well on your way to a personalized slew of workouts tailored to your goals. You can even have “world tour” workouts, and row in the waters of Hawaii or French Polynesia.
For a 360-degree health and fitness approach, the MCF app has a nutrition feature that allows your food snaps to automatically sync to your workouts for better tracking. No more excuses!
The 16.5-pound Flywheel and steel frame make this one sturdy piece of equipment. The display is separated into individual windows so you can quickly spot your stats. Plus, it folds up for easy storage and includes features like an Eddy Current Drive System that keeps the machine quiet while you're hard at work.
Instead of a pulley system, grab ahold of both rowing arms and push and pull against the gas-shock resistance on this option. This machine is perfect for those tight on space, as it's small to begin with ... and folds up even smaller.
It's also a great option for newbies who are trying to decide whether or not they're committed. Beginners will especially appreciate the textured footpads that keep busy feet secure throughout the workout.
Take a seat on this rower and get strapped in securely, thanks to the adjustable foot straps. In fact, the pedals even pivot if you need them to!
Not only can you row on this product, but it also doubles as a strength machine with a low pulley adjustment for deadlifts, curls, and more. It's super easy to add bicep curls, deltoid raises, and overhead tricep extensions into your workout with this rower!
Features: Digital Performance Monitor, Bluetooth Heart Rate Tracker, 7 resistance levels, TeeterMove app
Storage: Foldable, has transport wheels
For nearly $1150, you get your money's worth with the Teeter Power 10 — it's definitely an efficient strength-building machine. Offering bi-directional (aka push and pull) resistance, it engages more muscles than traditional rowers. Its elliptical patch allows you to switch midway, which means you get to work some muscles while your other muscles recover (genius!). What this means is, you get more calorie burn and muscle definition with less fatigue.
Download the free TeeterMove training app, and you also get on-demand access to trainer-led workouts. All in all, it's a lower-impact cardio machine that's virtually silent, making it the pick of the litter if you have the cash and the space. (On that note, it folds and tucks away in a compact, upright position, too.)
Features: 3.5-inch LCD display, Smart Power Sensor, 14-level dual transmission magnetic tension, free6-month MyCloudFitness app subscription
Storage: Foldable, easily stored upright
Fans of high-end rowers will be pleasantly surprised by the efficiency and solid construction offered by the Women's Health Men's Health Bluetooth Magnetic Rower (and at half the price of club models, too). Its 14 resistance levels ensure you're never plateauing workout-wise, and the large LCD screen (3.5 inches) shows you everything you need: distance, time, total count, calories burned, strokes, strokes per minute, split time, and watts. It also has a phone holder below the screen that can fit most devices.
Falling into the affordable yet high-quality mid-range category, this indoor rower punches well above its price point in terms of features — quite notably the 6-month free subscription to MyCloudFitness. You get access to elite on-demand studio classes and personalized workout programs, which both beginners and veterans can enjoy (the premium version offers new workouts each month). Reviewers also call out that it's easy to assemble and is virtually silent — "sliding on the seat makes more noise than the rower" — and it's also foldable, making it practical for smaller spaces.
Eunice Lucero-LeeSenior EditorEunice Lucero-Lee is the Senior Editor for Best Products, and is a beauty, astrology, and pop culture obsessive whose work has been featured in publications such as Cosmopolitan, Esquire, The Numinous, and woman&home, among many others.
Dana BaardsenSenior Editor at BestProducts.comDana is the former Parenting Editor at BestProducts.com, where she’s been using her degree in nutrition and food science and experience in parenting editorials to cover trending topics in the family and fitness industries since 2012; Her work has been featured on Fit Pregnancy, Refinery 29, Redbook, Good Housekeeping, Prevention, Men’s Health, Parents, and more.
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