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Reap the benefits of the rower by adding one of these machines to your workout space. Rowing Machine
WHEN IT comes to your fitness routine, it's nice to switch things up. Consider an indoor rowing machine for a high-payoff, low-impact (AKA joint-friendly) workout. It might just be the total-body workout you've been looking for.
The rowing machine reigns supreme among cardio devices, pushing all your energy systems to their limits at once. You could easily tax your aerobic system with a lengthy 2,000-meter or 5,000-meter long-distance session. Or mix it up by doing 100-meter sprints every minute on the minute to build strength and power. Just like a treadmill, minus the impact.
Read more: How Men's Health Thoroughly Tests and Reviews Fitness Products
“Indoor rowing is an excellent low-impact option for improving cardiovascular fitness and muscular endurance,” Lululemon lead instructor Hollis Tuttle told Men's Health. “Since it is a low impact sport, rowing reduces the risk of damage to weight-bearing joints, such as hips, ankles, and knees, which tend to be prone to injury and soreness when doing high-impact sports.” But rowing's not just a great joint-friendly form of cardio. A solid rowing workout can also help build strength in more muscle groups than you'd expect. "The rower is basically the horizontal version of the deadlift and uses similar muscles," says Veteran Trainer Ian Creighton. "On the drive, the main focus is on the posterior chain—the hamstrings, glutes, calves, and spinal erectors are all being used. In the pull, the quads, forearms, biceps, and lats are used as well."
That's why Men's Health fitness editors, in collaboration with experts like Tuttle, have compared testing notes on dozens of rowing machines to find the ones we can genuinely recommend. Our dedicated team of MH Staff certified trainers, including Fitness Director Ebenezer Samuel, C.S.C.S, Senior Fitness Editor Brett Williams, NASM, and Fitness and Commerce Editor Talene Appleton, NASM, have been rigorously testing rowing machines for years. We've carefully considered dozens of best-selling models from reputable brands and evaluated them on build quality, resistance mechanism, performance, tech features, and price. To ensure no stone is left unturned, each rowing machine has undergone rigorous trials, including hundreds of miles in varied workout routines such as high-intensity sprints, endurance-based long-distance rows, and interval sessions.
In the market for a rowing machine after all? Read on for our curated list of the best rowing machines to upgrade your home gym this year.
"If I can’t use a Concept2, this is my go-to," says Ebenezer Samuel, C.S.C.S., MH Fitness Director.
The Hydrow Wave—a more streamlined and slimmed-down version of Hydrow's original Rower Connected Rowing Machine, (a 2022 Men's Health Home Gym Awards winner)—is a smart connected rower with a focus on recreating the real-world rowing experience.
This rower fits easily in my basement training area, and can stand up for storage. Despite the compact size, we've found the Wave is also SUPER-durable: I can go hard on this rower for sprints, or take on longer intervals without it struggling to keep up.
Take live or on-demand classes, or take an unguided "journey", to explore the water from the comfort of your own home. The best part is that the virtual classes are immersive and surprisingly lifelike.
We do wish this rower has a free mode to allow users to could build their own workouts. Despite that, this is the best magnetic resistance rowing experience on the market.
We might be a little biased, but this Men's Health-branded rowing machine is a solid choice for beginners looking to get started with home rowing workouts. With 14 levels of resistance, it's easy to start small and build up as your fitness level increases over time.
This rowing machine isn’t for everyone. But on days we're not going hard, we love this rower for a laid-back, relatively quiet rowing workout. The resistance can be a little slow to catch, so we don’t love doing sprint workouts on this. But for a longer, more relaxed cardio session, this rower is great.
It's also incredibly lightweight (around 60 pounds) and folds down small, making it a great option for apartment dwellers and anyone with limited space. Plus, it's a steal at around $300 delivered.
Read more: Men's Health x Women's Health Rower Sale
The RowErg with Standard Legs is the new name for Concept 2's Model D rower, and it's the first device that comes to mind when we think of training on a rower at home. We have never come across a better rower than this one, point blank. In a nutshell, it offers many of the same features as the best rowing machines that cost twice as much.
This rower is an industry standard used by CrossFit and in many high-profile competitions for a reason. The variable resistance flywheel provides a constant challenge, which we find especially beneficial for high volume use and experienced rowers.
It's easy to assemble, too. In our experience setting up this rower, all it takes is around 20 minutes, ideally two people, and minimal tools or hardware (just eight screws are required).
This is the definitive home rowing experience, and why it's our pick for the best value rowing machine of 2023.
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Want group fitness workouts in the comfort of your own home? The RW900 Smart Rower's crisp, 22-inch touchscreen offers classes on-demand and automatically adjusts resistance levels according to the virtual trainers' cues.
We like the long list of other nice-to-haves like Bluetooth headphone connectivity, quick-adjust pedals, and easy assembly. A few other standout features make it one of our go-to rowing machines for longer workouts. We find the seat to be more comfortable than Concept2 rowers, and the magnetic resistance on this is ultra-quiet so it’s easy to watch Netflix or listen to a podcast while training.
It also sets up and stows away easily, making it easy to get ready and break down at the end of your workouts. Given the long list of smart features and the NordicTrack brand name, it's well priced at around $1,600.
Read more: Rowing and Core Workout
Sometimes simpler is just better. The made-in-the-USA design takes things back to basics with a vaguely vintage aesthetic of stained ash wood. That also makes it one of the most heavy-duty machines on this list, supporting users up to 700 pounds.
We found that the traditional water-based flywheel not only looks great, but does an incredibly job of recreating the feel of rowing through real water. Users can fully customize the resistance by filling the water tank with more or less water, which can make a mess, but isn't difficult to do.
At around $1,200, this model lacks the fancier gadgetry of the pricier models on this list. Still, the integrated performance monitor tracks all the essentials. For anyone looking for a durable, handsome rower without unnecessary bells and whistles at a good price, this is your man.
Read more: Correct Your Rowing Form
The first thing we noticed about Echelon's base model rowing machine is the incredibly comfortable cushioned seat and oversized, adjustable foot pedals. Next was the magnetic resistance, which is one of the quietest we've tested, and offers 32 different levels to challenge newbs and pros alike.
While it lacks the jumbo high-tech displays of many other machines on this list, we never missed it much. In lieu of a built-in display is a device holder that swivels and flips around for use during off-row workouts, which we found convenient and easy to use with an iPhone.
Best of all, it's foldable. Built-in wheels help for easy transport to tuck it easily away when it's not in use.
Bonus: It's the second most affordable rowing machine on this list. So, if budget is a concern, the Smart Rowing Machine is definitely worth considering.
Whether you're competing live against your peers, trying to out-row world-class athletes, or even being chased by a deadly Kraken, the Strong Series Rower is a fix to boring rowing workouts.
A massive and crisp definition 22" touchscreen allows for tracking stats and streaming content from Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Prime Video, Spotify, and YouTube all in one place. In our experience getting to know this machine, it was clear its tech was developed using game psychology. The animated games are immersive and easy to learn, and incentivize players to increase great output in creative ways.
Aside from the gamified perks, one major feature of this machine is its 20" elevated seat, which makes it easy for beginners, older individuals, and those with limited mobility to get on and off.
The foot pedals are also more wide-set and larger than found on most rowers, which makes it feel more accessible for a range of users. For those with wider hips or bigger bellies who typically feel crammed or awkward on a standard machine, this is for you.
Read more: Exercise to Improve Your Rowing
Assault Fitness' AssaultRower Elite was purpose-built for commercial gym usage, and we've found that it can hold up to the toughest workouts and years of abuse without wavering. With a solid steel frame and parts meant to take a beating, this thing can take our worst.
It offers all the essential features that novice and advanced users demand in the best rowing machines. A sweat-proof seat, multi-grip handles, and adjustable footrests help to make for a comfortable user experience. The simple LCD display offers basic onboard training programs, and there's a built-in heart rate monitor.
But this rower is heavy—more than 140 pounds to be exact. So it's not as easy to setup, breakdown, and store as others on this list.
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The top-rated Ergatta Rower (a Men's Health Fitness Awards Winner) is all performance, complete with game-based workouts that challenge you daily. It's the most "gamified" water-based rowing machine on this list with a long list of virtual workout programs to choose from. We took it for a spin with head-to-head races, high-intensity endurance workouts, and goal-based gamified training plans to get the full experience.
We found this is one of the smoothest water rowers we've used, and the games are enough to keep things fun and interesting even when doing a basic workout. The game-based workouts felt like a much needed changeup from typical hard workouts on a C2, and are actually good for dialing in form. In terms of the frame, the lone downside is that the feet are positioned a little more closely than we prefer.
The warm cherry wood feels extremely durable and gives the rower a sleek retro-modern aesthetic that elevated the look of our home gym space, but can do any garage or living room justice, too. It's among the priciest rowing machines on this list, but if you're in the market for a top-of-the-line rower that doubles as a home accessory, it's hard to beat.
Read more: Best Rowing Gloves
Life Fitness machines are found in fitness clubs around the world. And for good reason: they're durable, easy to use, beginner-friendly, suitable for advanced rowers, and reasonably priced. The Row HX Trainer is no exception. It's reasonably heavy at 108 pounds when filled with water, and folds in half easily to stow away when not in use.
Unlike some of the more premium models we tested, the simple water-based design delivers ultra-smooth resistance without any finicky gadgetry. Compared to most water-based rowers, we love that this rower never requires users to add or remove water to change the resistance. Instead, five manually adjustable resistance levels turn the heat up or down.
Given the roughly $1,800 price tag, we're a little disappointed that this model lacks a built-in touchscreen display. However, it does integrate seamlessly with the Aaptiv app to offer additional features like virtual training programs and trainer-led classes.
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Concept 2's premium Model E rowing machine is a step up from the brand's RowErg with Standard Legs. At its heart is the same PM5—a simple, yet sophisticated performance monitor that keeps track of your vitals between workouts, but the low-maintenance, nickel-plated chain and a few other features set it apart. We love that it offers USB flash drive compatibility which allows users to easily backup workout data between sessions.
The frame is made from aluminum and steel, and feels incredibly stable when in use. We love that it can support users up to 500-pounds, yet only weighs 70. When you're ready to stow it, it splits in half with a framelock mechanism that's easy enough to do with your eyes closed.
At around $1,400, it's right in the middle of the price range for the indoor rowing machines we researched and tested this year, making it our pick for the best mid-range rowing machine of 2023.
Men’s Health fitness writer and strength coach David Otey, C.S.C.S., took the Peloton Row for a spin and confirmed that it’s set to give every rower on this list—even the most goated rowing machines—a run for their money.
Otey and MH fitness editors found both the seat and foot pedals extremely comfortable, and the foot strap secure yet easy to adjust with a single hand. Otey describes the strap’s pull as “silky smooth” without the annoying catching found in lesser rowers. We found that the electrically controlled resistance also makes for whisper-quiet operation.
But the real star isn't its frame, “Peloton's best asset isn't its hardware; it's a great software company,” says Otey. The tech on this machine delivers, with a Form Assist function that can help nearly any level rower achieve better form as they row.
It’s not perfect, however. Otey notes that its most obvious shortcoming is the lack of an adjustable manual mode. “This is a stark difference from many manual rowers, which shows Peloton is more confident in their programming and instructors than your ability to create your own workouts.”
Read more: Peloton Rower Review
Indoor rowing machines are a bit more complicated than ordinary home gym equipment, like power racks or dumbbell sets. Decades ago, they used to be little more than a gliding seat and rope handle attached to a water-filled flywheel. But today’s best rowing machines are a lot more high-tech and sophisticated.
The most connected models—from the likes of Peloton and Hydrow—pair with your smartphone via Bluetooth to stream music, while their touchscreens connect you with professional rowers on the other side of the world for personalized, guided training sessions. That’s all to say that shopping for a new rower can be a challenge, and finding the best indoor rowing machine for you is especially difficult. We’re here to help with the most important specs, features, and essentials to consider before forking over your hard owned money
Durability and quality: If you’re dropping $1,000 or more on a complicated piece of gym equipment, you want to know that it can go the distance. That’s why it pays (literally) to buy from a company that you trust and that offers a solid, reputable product with a decent warranty. Don’t settle for a bargain-priced Amazon model from a brand you’ve never heard of just because it seems like a steal. In the world of fitness equipment, you almost always get what you pay for. If you’re planning to row on a regular basis and to keep your rowing machine for the foreseeable future, consider investing good money into a model that will last.
Resistance mechanism: At the heart of every rowing machine is some sort of resistance mechanism. There are four main types including hydraulic, flywheel, water-based, and magnetic resistance-based. Hydraulic resistance relies on air or fluid compressed into a cylinder and is almost always the cheapest. Flywheels rely on air resistance; these will require the most nuanced timing of your rowing pattern. The downside: They're often noisy. Water-based and magnetic resistance models often deliver a near-silent experience, although they can be pricey.
Storage: By their nature, rowing machines are big, bulky, and often heavy. If you have the real estate in your home, non-folding models are typically sturdier and more convenient when it comes time to work out. They’re always set up and ready to go—er, row. If you’re a city dweller or are just short on space, however, a folding model might be the best way to go. Some rowers fold neatly in half or offer vertical storage to minimize wasted floor space. Look for models with transport wheels too, so you can easily move yours around by yourself.
Warranty: With the best rowing machines priced north of $1,000, buying one is a serious investment. So, it’s important to purchase from a manufacturer that offers a clear, comprehensive warranty. They vary widely across the industry, with the most budget-forward brands offering just 90 days on some parts, and others boasting generous 10-year warranties on everything. Again, the more you spend upfront, the better the warranty is likely to be. And, if there’s anything that isn’t clear to you about the stated warranty, be sure to ask. It’s your money, after all.
Budget: Depending on your situation, price might be the most important consideration. Indoor rowing machines are a substantial investment that can run into the thousands. Know that, if price is an issue, you can absolutely land a decent mid-range model for under $1,000 and even a solid budget model (like the Bluetooth Rower by Men’s Health x Women’s Health) for less than $550 delivered.
Other rowing machine features: The most basic rowing machine design has changed little in decades, and you can still find a “classic”-style model for a reasonable price. But, if you’re looking for a more connected experience, look at smart rowers like the Hydrow Wave or the Peloton Row. These offer touchscreens with built-in apps that connect you to professional trainers who can motivate and work with you to better achieve your personal goals. The rowing machines with these features are, of course, more expensive upfront. But, know that many also require ongoing monthly subscriptions to take full advantage of those “smart” connected features.
Our fitness experts love indoor machines for a ton of reasons. But the biggest one is how easy and accessible they are for enthusiasts of any fitness level. Seriously, there’s not much more to using one than simply sitting down and pulling—rinse and repeat. But like any workout machine, there is a right way and a wrong way. The best way to not only maximize your performance and rowing gains but also to avoid injury is to practice good form.
Start by sitting squarely on the seat with your tailbone pointing directly into the middle. Follow your rowing stroke through each of these four phases, paying careful attention to your posture and form:
The catch: To start, your shins should be perpendicular to the floor (i.e., vertical). Extend your arms fully—with a focus on your triceps—and grab the rower’s handle. Be mindful of your core, and slightly lean your torso forward.
The drive: While keeping your arms straight, power through the Drive phase with your leg muscles, pushing your body (and the seat) smoothly away from the footplates. Finish by pulling the handle into your abdomen and leaning back.
The finish: Despite the name, you’re not quite “finished.” In this phase, your elbows should be bent and the handle tucked into the lower part of your chest. Use your core to stabilize your torso, keeping a slight angle toward the rowing machine.
The recovery: Be mindful of your form while returning to the starting position in this phase. Straighten your arms by using your triceps. Slightly lean your torso forward. Bend your legs and smoothly slide your butt and the seat down the rail of the rowing machine.
Once back in the starting position, repeat the next stroke by beginning with the Drive phase again.
Rowing is a near-perfect exercise, and a good indoor rowing machine promises a low-impact, full-body workout with the convenience of a single device. “Since rowing promotes improvements to both your muscular strength and cardiovascular strength, you get two for one,” says Tuttle. She outlines four specific reasons why you should buy a rowing machine:
Rowing is a great warmup: “A proper warmup is key to having a successful workout; it should prepare your heart, muscles, joints, and mind for the harder efforts to come.” Because it’s so low-impact, it’s a great slow warm-up, even if rowing isn’t your ultimate program goal on a given day.
Rowing adds variety: Because rowing is significantly lower impact than most high-intensity exercises like running, it’s far easier to recover between workouts. Ideally, a rowing machine will help add variety to your workout days.
A good row can be pure zen: Because indoor rowing involves fewer external stimuli than outdoor activities, it can be extremely meditative. Tuttle agrees: “Once warm and a comfortable rhythm has been established, you can close your eyes, connect your breath to your body, and simply enjoy the gift of movement.”
Rowing is a great finisher: Hardcore workout sessions often involve an explosive finish. Hopping on your rowing machine near the end of your routine is a great way to cap things off. “It's hard to pass up a good 5- to 10-minute long EMOM (Every Minute On the Minute) row 100 to 200 meters, depending upon your fitness and skill level,” says Tuttle. “Each effort should be about 90 percent max intensity and your goal is to finish with 20 seconds or more to recover before the top of the next minute.”
So, the better question is: Why shouldn’t you buy a rowing machine? The best rowing machines add incredible versatility and productivity to any existing at-home gym setup. But, if you’re short on space or budget, and are looking to invest in just one piece of workout equipment, consider an indoor rowing machine.
With most modern workout equipment, you get what you pay for. That’s why, as with all home gym equipment, we recommend investing in the best rowing machine you can afford. That’s doubly true if you’re planning to keep your new rowing machine for years to come. The most affordable rowers are rarely the most durable. So, while buying a $200-$300 model might save you money now, you’ll spend more in the long run if you’re forced to shell out another $300 or so when that “bargain” rower craps out on you in a year or so.
On the flip side, the very best rowing machines are built to last for a decade or more. The best part is that they require little maintenance—not much more than routine oiling and changing a battery or two to keep the machine’s computer(s) going. If you think you’ll be in the indoor rowing “game” for the foreseeable future, consider your new rowing machine an investment that will pay for itself over time.
If a low-impact cardio machine is what you're looking for, it's true that indoor bikes and rowers can both be suitable options. The best choice for you? Well, it all comes down to your goals.
The rowing machine provides a full-body workout that engages multiple muscle groups. However, it requires a technique and coordination to avoid injury and that can be less intuitive for some users compared to using an exercise bike. Rowers also take up more space and can be noisy.
On the other hand, stationary bikes can provide a great cardio workout, are more adjustable (seat heat, handlebars, etc.) and are easy to use. But biking primarily focuses on lower body muscles, and may not challenge the upper body or coordination as effectively as a rowing machine.
Both indoor bikes and rowers can work well as low-impact cardio options in your home gym – but they don’t exactly challenge your body in the same way. What’s the best option for you? It comes down to your goals and your fitness level.
In general, says MH Fitness Director Ebenezer Samuel, C.S.C.S., the rower will be the more advanced cardio option. Samuel says the rower delivers a more “well-rounded” workout. It also directly challenges your midback muscles, lower back muscles, and glutes.
“These are all key postural muscles,” says Samuel, “so you’re getting extra benefits out of the rower.”
The downside: Rowing also requires more technique, so there’s a higher learning curve to dominating on the rower.
The stationary bike, meanwhile, will requires less technique and coordination, and is easier to learn. It won’t tap into all the postural muscles that the rower does, but it’ll hammer quads, glutes and hamstrings well, especially if you really push your limits. One added benefit: Most stationary bikes are far quieter than your rower, making the bike a terrific choice for a relaxed Zone 2 cardio session paired with Netflix.
The best way to avoid getting injured with any workout—including on a rowing machine—is to practice and maintain proper technique. Start with a good warm-up before every workout, focus on your form, and don’t forget a decent cool-down. With a rower, it’s easy to fall into the habit of letting your back handle most of the strain in any of the above phases. Focus on limiting your back movements while allowing your core to handle the “heavy lifting.” If you’re just starting, consider strengthening your core before hitting the rower too hard.
Another tip for beginners: don’t overdo it. Shoot for a rowing workout of between five and 20 minutes, plus a warm-up and cool-down. Allow your muscles time to acclimate to the new stress before going “all in.”
Targeted fat loss has been proven to be virtually impossible. But rowing machines are great for almost every aspect of fitness, including building strength, lowering overall body fat, increasing stamina, and even weight loss. The reason is simple: by burning a ton of calories (putting yourself in a calorie deficit), you can more easily score a negative daily energy balance. Bottom line: you’re consuming fewer calories than you’re burning. Maintaining a calorie deficit over a long period is the guiding principle behind successfully losing weight and keeping it off. Using a rowing machine for weight loss is simple—eat better, exercise more—though not always easy.
At Men's Health, we take great pride in providing our readers with reliable and trustworthy product recommendations. We believe that our readers deserve the best, which is why we always make sure to conduct thorough research and testing before making any recommendations. Our writers and editors thoughtfully select experts for collaboration on product recommendations, and are also experts in their own right, using their informed opinions to select products and ensuring that our content is of the highest quality.
Our product recommendations are purely editorial, and while we may receive free products to test and review, we only recommend the products we are most impressed by. We never let retailers or public relations contacts dictate our content or product coverage. Which is why you can trust us to provide you with reliable and unbiased product recommendations.
Ebenezer Samuel, C.S.C.S., is the fitness director of Men's Health and a certified trainer with more than 10 years of training experience. He's logged training time with NFL athletes and track athletes and his current training regimen includes weight training, HIIT conditioning, and yoga. Before joining Men's Health in 2017, he served as a sports columnist and tech columnist for the New York Daily News.
Talene Appleton is a fitness and food writer and editor, certified personal trainer (NASM-CPT), and former professional dancer based in New York City. Passionate about both exercise and cuisine, she merges her fitness, nutrition and culinary expertise with the goal of motivating others to embrace balanced healthy living. Her work has appeared in Men’s Health, General Surgery News, The Food Institute, The Nessie, and more.
David Otey, CSCS is a fitness writer, NYC-based strength coach, and Men's Health Advisory Board member who specializes in strength and hypertrophy protocols as well as athletic performance. For more on Otey check out www.oteyfitness.com.
Ian Creighton is the Chief Marketing Officer at Honeycomb Wellness, formerly the general manager at Brick New York, the largest functional fitness facility in Manhattan, and a personal trainer to high level business executives, Hollywood movie producers, and actors. A recovering CrossFit addict, he now spends his time focused on optimizing longevity and takes a "functional bodybuilding" approach to training.
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