There are a handful of pieces of exercise equipment that most fitness enthusiasts are used to seeing in a home gym. Things like a treadmill, an exercise bike, and some free weights are an obvious addition. But what about the rowing machine? The best rowing machines can easily upgrade your home gym.
Table of Contents
- 1 Best Rowing Machines on the Market 2024
- 2 Navigate our Best Rowing Machines Guide!
- 3 1. JLL R200+ Home Rowing Machine
- 4 2. SportPlus Rowing Machine
- 5 3. XS Sports R310 Home Rowing Machine
- 6 4. JLL Ventus 2 Air Resistance Home Rowing Machine
- 7 5. SportPlus Indoor Rower
- 8 6. MorNon Home Rowing Machine
- 9 7. V-Fit Tornado Air Rower
- 10 Best Rowing Machines Questions and Answers
- 10.1 What is a rowing machine?
- 10.2 What health benefits does the rowing machine bring?
- 10.3 Will using a rowing machine help me lose weight?
- 10.4 What features should I look for in a rowing machine?
- 10.5 Are rowing machines safe to use?
- 10.6 What are the most effective rowing workouts?
- 10.7 Does using an indoor rowing machine prepare you for outdoor rowing?
Best Rowing Machines on the Market 2024
Last update on 2024-11-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
We’ve collected a list of the best rowing machines that you can buy today. This piece of equipment may not be as popular as others, but we think it should be! So, we’ve also gathered some of the top questions you may have so that you can buy with confidence.
1. JLL R200+ Home Rowing Machine
No products found.
Never used one of the best rowing machines before? Then this may just be the perfect introduction!
Key Features
- The company offers a 12-month warranty.
- It has 10 levels of resistance.
This brand offers the best rowing machines, using a direct belt driven function to provide comfortable and quiet movement. It features a magnetic resistance piece with 10 levels to choose from depending on your fitness goals.
The LCD monitor will also display all of your essential stats. This includes your calories burned, distance, time, total count, and more!
In addition to being a high-quality piece of exercise equipment, it’s also a practical one. The seat is padded for maximum comfort. It’s also compact and foldable for easy movement and storage!
What we love:
- It’s budget-friendly.
- It’s easy to store.
- It’s comfortable to use.
What we don’t love:
- The LCD display can be difficult to read for new rowing machine users.
No products found.
2. SportPlus Rowing Machine
- THE ROWER ✅ Our SP-MR-008 rowing machine has already convinced many passionate fitness enthusiasts all over Europe with its uncompromising quality and authentic rowing feel. Designed in Germany.
- EFFICIENT TRAINING ✅ The rowing machine for home use enables an efficient and joint-friendly whole-body workout. The adjustable anti-slip pedals and the ergonomic seat ensure a healthy motion sequence.
- MODERN TECHNOLOGY ✅ The maintenance-free and quiet magnetic brake system and its 8 resistance levels leave nothing to be desired. The high flywheel mass (approx. 8 kg ) allow a fluid rowing stroke.
- SPACE-SAVING AND EASY TO STORE: the dimensions are approx. 190 x 51 x 77 cm (L x W x H) and when folded approx. 95 x 51 x 122 cm.
Last update on 2024-11-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This stylish product is the perfect addition to any home gym.
Key Features
- It’s designed to produce minimal to no noise while in use.
- It’s foldable.
SportPlus advertises this product as “whisper quiet” so that you never have to worry about a loud piece of equipment bothering your housemates ever again! The comfortable seat has ball-bearing slides to prevent squeaky noises while gliding over the rail.
A rotary knob allows you to easily adjust the resistance on these best rowing machines. You can also track your number of strokes rowed, your energy and calorie consumption, stroke frequency, beat frequency, pulse, time and distance.
What we love:
- It has a stylish black and red colour design.
What we don’t love:
- The maximum user weight is 150kg, which is less than many competitors.
3. XS Sports R310 Home Rowing Machine
- STRONG; Our foldable rowing machine features a powder coated frame designed to withstand the test of time; Our folded rowing machines hold people up to 100 kilograms; If you need folding exercise equipment that will last a lifetime and save space, look no further than XS Sports. Full 12 month warranty included.
- SAFE; Each XS Sports foldable fitness machine rower has undergone stringent quality inspection and hundreds of hours of development; Our row machines for home are crafted to the highest standards; The XS Sports promise is this; if we wouldn’t use the rower machine ourselves, we won’t sell it
- MAGNETIC; Our foldable rowers feature 10 levels of resistance and unlike inferior exercise machines with cheap elastic bands ours is a magnetic rowing machine; Our cardio machine rower features a 4kg inner magnetic flywheel a precise LCD display to measure Total count, Calorie, Count / Min, Count, Scan, Time, as well as padded grip
- PROFESSIONAL; All our folding rowing machines have been developed in consultation with home gym equipment industry professionals; We pride ourselves on outstanding quality rower exercise equipment that has been refined by hundreds of hours of cutting edge research
Last update on 2024-11-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The XS Sports machines are of high quality but have a simple design. This makes them a perfect choice for your home.
Key Features
- The brand offers a 12-month warranty.
- It’s foldable.
This rowing machine uses a magnetic system to offer high-quality fitness with a 4kg inner magnetic flywheel. There are 10 different levels of resistance to choose from, and a precise LCD display.
Staying comfortable during your workout is an important way to ensure that you actually look forward to your exercise routine. These best rowing machines have padded handlebars for maximum comfort.
There are inbuilt wheels on this product. It will also fold up to allow you to store it when not in use.
What we love:
- It’s budget-friendly.
- It’s sturdy and feels like a gym-quality machine.
What we don’t love:
- The maximum user weight is only 100 kilograms.
4. JLL Ventus 2 Air Resistance Home Rowing Machine
- 【Belt Driven System】The JLL Ventus 2 Air Resistance Rowing Machine features a belt-driven mechanism for a quiet and smooth rowing experience.
- 【Air and Magnetic Resistance】Customise your workout intensity with 8 levels of magnetic resistance combined with air resistance.
- 【LCD 11-Function Monitor】Track your performance with real-time data on time, time 500m, strokes, strokes per minute, calories burned, distance, pulse, total stroke, clock, calendar, and temperature.
- 【Space-Saving Design】This rowing machine is foldable and comes with built-in transport wheels, making it easy to store and move around your home.
Last update on 2024-11-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
There is a bit of a jump in price on this product compared to competitors, but it’s one of the most advanced and best rowing machines that you can buy for your home.
Key Features
- It has dual resistance with 8 levels of magnetic resistance.
- It has a smartphone/tablet holder attached to the monitor.
The dual resistance on this machine uses magnetic resistance and air resistance. Air resistance allows you to row faster, sucking more air into the flywheel. This will boost your resistance and up your exercise routine!
This machine is great for getting the best workout, but it’s also an excellent choice for users who want to be comfortable. The handlebar is sweat-resistant and non-slip, and the seat is padded. There is also a self-generating fan to keep you cool!
What we love:
- The machine allows you to watch or read content on your phone with the tablet/smartphone holder.
- The fan keeps you from overheating during your workout.
What we don’t love:
- It’s not budget-friendly.
- The maximum user weight is only 120kg.
5. SportPlus Indoor Rower
- THE ROWER ✅ Our SP-MR-008 rowing machine has already convinced many passionate fitness enthusiasts all over Europe with its uncompromising quality and authentic rowing feel. Designed in Germany.
- EFFICIENT TRAINING ✅ The rowing machine for home use enables an efficient and joint-friendly whole-body workout. The adjustable anti-slip pedals and the ergonomic seat ensure a healthy motion sequence.
- MODERN TECHNOLOGY ✅ The maintenance-free and quiet magnetic brake system and its 8 resistance levels leave nothing to be desired. The high flywheel mass (approx. 8 kg ) allow a fluid rowing stroke.
- SPACE-SAVING AND EASY TO STORE ✅ The dimensions are approx. 183x51x78 cm (L x W x H) and when folded approx. 95 x 51 x 122 cm.
Last update on 2024-11-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
SportPlus’ next addition to the list of best rowing machines offers a safe and strong product for people of all fitness levels.
Key Features
- It’s foldable and has transport rollers.
- The seat is ball bearing for comfort.
This product combines a high-quality aluminium track with an 8kg flywheel mass to provide you with a smooth and sturdy workout every time! The silent magnetic brake system will also keep your workout silent.
The pedals are designed to be larger and non-slip. Paired with the safety straps, this keeps you feeling safe and secure while the comfortable ball bearing seat ensures that you can stay in the zone for longer.
What we love:
- It doesn’t make a lot of noise while in use.
- It’s comfortable to use.
What we don’t love:
- The resistance levels aren’t as advanced for experienced rowers.
6. MorNon Home Rowing Machine
Last update on 2024-11-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This product is another option that has a higher price tag, but its design is perfect for experienced rowers.
Key Features
- It’s wooden.
- It can stand up straight for easy storage.
- It has transport wheels.
This product uses solid oak wood to craft the perfect rowing machine. The thickened water tank allows for an impressive resistance system that can be increased by making the paddles spin faster.
Using a wooden design helps make these best rowing machines more stylish and attractive in your home. Fortunately, the company also works hard to protect the ecosystem when harvesting wood for rowing machines.
What we love:
- The beautiful wooden design.
- It’s incredibly quiet while being used.
What we don’t love:
- It’s not budget-friendly.
7. V-Fit Tornado Air Rower
- Club style, speed proportionate air resistance chain drive rower with canted, wide reach row bar
- Contoured polyurethan anatomically designed seat with bearing mounted upper and lower seat guide rollers
- Pivoting, oversize PVC footplates with two-position mount and adjustable velcro style footstraps
- Three-screen, six-function exercise monitor
Last update on 2024-11-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This club-style rower is sleek, stylish, and powerful!
Key Features
- It’s foldable.
- It has a 6-function LCD monitor.
This rower uses a centre-pull micro link chain to help boost your resistance abilities. So, you can row faster to make it even harder, helping you push yourself to the next level during your workout.
There are oversized footplates with a heel cup and velcro straps to ensure that you can stay in place while also staying comfortable during your workout. The seat itself is also designed to be comfortable and effective.
What we love:
- The design is stylish.
- It’s very sturdy.
What we don’t love:
- The maximum user weight is only 115kg.
- It’s not as budget-friendly as many competitors.
Best Rowing Machines Questions and Answers
Rowing machines have been popping up in gyms around the world for a long time. Despite their popularity in fitness centres, they have yet to break into the home-gym market as well as competitors.
We’ve gathered some questions and answers to help make you feel more confident in bringing the best rowing machines into your home!
What is a rowing machine?
Rowing machines are excellent pieces of fitness equipment that combine strength training with a cardiovascular workout. They mimic outdoor boat rowing in the water, which has you pulling your arms as you would pull an oar.
To use a rowing machine you will start by sitting on the cushion. Lean your torso forward slightly so that your shoulders are slightly ahead of your hips. Brace your core, and relax your shoulders.
You will then hold on to the handlebars, pulling it back and using the aluminium track to bring you forward before repeating. The faster you go, the harder it gets. Some resistance types also make it so that the faster you row, the higher the resistance is.
What health benefits does the rowing machine bring?
The best rowing machines are designed to provide you with a full-body workout. In fact, they use up to 86% of your muscles when you’re rowing with the proper form!
Cardiovascular workouts, such as the rowing machine will help your heart and lungs stay healthier. The physical strength that is required to use a rowing machine will also grow muscles. So, there are seemingly endless benefits to this machine!
In terms of your upper body, the rowing machine will use the following muscles:
- Your abdominal muscles
- Your rhomboid (shoulder muscle)
- Your upper back
- Your lower back
- Your arms
- Your hands and wrists
For your lower body, the rowing machine will help build strength in the following muscles:
- Your glutes
- Your calves
- Your quadriceps
It doesn’t take a very long workout to get the benefits of this machine!
Will using a rowing machine help me lose weight?
You can definitely lose weight while using a rowing machine! The workout will also help you burn fat.
Studies have shown that a 30-minute rowing workout can burn anywhere from 210 to 375 calories. The number will depend on your weight and the intensity of your workout.
Combine your rowing with a healthy diet, and you will see your desired results in no time!
What features should I look for in a rowing machine?
Almost every rowing machine will provide you with a great workout. However, the best rowing machines tend to share a few features. Here are some to look out for:
- The resistance levels. Adjustable resistance is the key to growing your muscles as you gain more rowing experience.
- Dual resistance levels. This is not always available, but dual resistance can help improve your strength faster.
- An integrated fan. Rowing can make you sweat and feel hot. A fan that’s in the rower can easily help you cool down without having to stop exercising.
- A high-quality LCD display. You’ll obviously want to keep track of your progress, so an accurate and detailed LCD display is very important.
- A cushioned seat or padded handlebars. These things may seem trivial, but they can make you feel comfortable for much longer while rowing.
Are rowing machines safe to use?
The best rowing machines are considered a low-impact exercise. You are putting very little stress on any part of your body, including the joints. This makes it a good workout for people who are in recovery from an injury or those who have a joint concern.
Another health and safety benefit of the rowing machine is that it features repetitive movements. It is considered safe for blind individuals or those who have limited eyesight.
The rowing machine is also easy to adapt to your needs. You can go as slow or as fast as you want, with plenty of choice for resistance. You don’t have to worry about accidentally going too hard or too fast right away since the speed will be completely controllable.
What are the most effective rowing workouts?
The rowing machine gives you a lot of freedom when it comes to the way that you exercise!
You can hop on the best rowing machines and row at the same speed for as long as you want and you can rest assured that you’ll give your muscles a good workout. However, it’s common to switch things up a bit and incorporate harder periods during your workout.
A standard endurance workout on the rowing machine has you increasing your intensity as you move forward. Complete a 5-minute warmup at a relaxed pace to start.
Once you’ve completed your warmup, begin by doing a full 60 seconds of faster rowing. You will then spend 60 seconds doing a recovery row, which will be much slower and more relaxed.
Jump your next fast row to 120 seconds. Repeat your recovery for a full minute. Keep gradually increasing your speed until you feel too challenged to move forward. Finish off your workout with 5 minutes of recovery rowing.
Another option is to incorporate your rowing into a full HIIT workout. After doing some warmups, spend a few minutes on the rower before jumping off to do things like deadlifts and push-ups before repeating.
Does using an indoor rowing machine prepare you for outdoor rowing?
Using an indoor rowing machine uses similar muscles to outdoor rowing. If you are passionate about outdoor rowing or do it competitively, then using an indoor rower can help you improve your skills.
While you may be working out similar muscles, you can’t jump straight into a boat for the first time and expect to know exactly how to row.
Rowing a boat uses actual oars. This will make your arms and hands be placed differently compared to the handlebars of an indoor rowing machine.
One of the big things missing from indoor rowing is the balance that’s required for outdoor rowing. Being in a boat always requires you to stay balanced, but it’s even harder while rowing it!
Outdoor rowing also requires you to learn how to set up the scull and position yourself correctly within the boat. A rowing club can help you learn these things if you’re interested.
Outdoor rowing requires your full attention. You must keep an eye on the water for other boats, swimmers, and more. There is also plenty of direction related work involved, so knowing the water is key.
Related:
- What Is Better A Rowing Machine or Exercise Bike – Our Complete Review
- Exercise Bike Benefits – Why You Should Be Riding One Today
- What Is a Manual Treadmill? Our Guide to Running in a Fun New Way
- The Best Mini Trampolines For Your Fitness and Fun Needs
Are you convinced yet? The best rowing machines are fantastic pieces of equipment. They can transform your entire body and help you lose weight while also being a fun and easy-to-use piece of workout gear.
