In your fitness routine, it’s good to switch things up. For a low-affected (i.e., joint-friendly) but high-paying workout, consider rowing with an indoor rowing machine. It may be the all-around workout you’ve been looking for.
“Indoor rowing is a great low-impact option for improving cardiovascular fitness and muscular endurance,” Hollis Tuttle, CITYROW Go lead instructor, tells Men’s Health. “Because it’s a low-affected sport, rowing reduces the risk of damaging weight-bearing joints, such as hips, ankles and knees, which are prone to injury and soreness when playing high-affected sports.”
But rowing isn’t just great for cardio. A good rowing workout can also help build strength more than you think. “Rowing is essentially the horizontal version of the deadlift and uses similar muscles,” says veteran coach Ian Creighton. “On the workout, the focus is on the posterior chain - the hamstrings, glutes, calves and erectors of the spine are all worked. When pulling, the quadriceps, forearms, biceps and lats are also worked.”
The rowing machine is also the rarest and most versatile of cardio machines, one that stresses all of your energy systems simultaneously. You can easily challenge your aerobic system with a long distance rower of 2,000 or 5,000 meters. You can also do 100-meter sprints at the minute to develop strength and power. Not to mention that rowing is just plain fun.
Looking for a rowing machine after hearing all the benefits? Here’s our pick of the top 10 rowing machines to upgrade your home gym right now.
1. RowErg Indoor Rowing Machine
Formerly known as the Concept 2 Model D rower, the RowErg is the device that first comes to mind when you think of working out on a rowing machine. It offers many of the same features as rowers that cost twice as much.
It’s extremely easy to assemble, with many reviews on Amazon reporting an installation time of about 20 minutes with minimal tools or hardware (only eight screws are required). The design is versatile enough to support almost any user (up to 500 pounds) with adjustable footrests and an ergonomic handle. They constructed it with high-quality materials, making it very durable.
City dwellers and space-strapped users will appreciate the smart design that splits into two parts for easy storage. Built-in caster wheels make it easy to set up and store. Plus, it’s affordable, at less than $1,200 delivered.
For all these reasons, it’s the gold standard used by CrossFit and in many top competitions, and it relies on a variable-resistance flywheel that offers a constant challenge. It’s the ultimate home rowing experience, which is why it’s our pick for the best rower of 2022.
Resistance: Air
Display: PM5 Performance Monitor
Dimensions: 96 x 24 x 14 inches
Weight: 57.32 pounds
What do buyers say? Out of over 11,500 Amazon reviews, 98% recommend the RowErg indoor rower with a rating of at least 4 stars.
Buy: RowErg Indoor Rowing Machine
2. RW900 Smart Rowing Machine
Want to do group fitness exercises in the comfort of your home? This rower from NordicTrack is for you. The RW900 Smart Rowing Machine features a 22-inch touchscreen, which allows you to take on-demand classes and automatically adjust your resistance level based on the trainers’ preferences. Professional instructors will even encourage you to go beyond cardio with strength training and yoga classes. The extensive library of virtual programs means you’ll never get bored.
We like the long list of other benefits like Bluetooth connectivity for headphones, quick-adjust pedals, and ease of assembly. It’s easy to assemble and store, so you can set it up and take it down at the end of your workouts. Considering the long list of smart features and the NordicTrack brand, it’s priced low at around $1,300.
Resistance: Dual air and silent magnetic resistance
Display: 22-inch touch screen
Dimensions: 86.5 x 22 x 47 inches
Weight: 130.6 pounds
iFit membership: $15/month
Buy: RW900 Smart Rowing Machine
3. Bluetooth rowing machine
We may be a little biased, but this rowing machine from Men’s Health is a solid choice for beginners who want to get started with rowing exercises at home. With 14 resistance levels, it’s easy to start small and progress as your fitness level increases. You’ll get real-time fitness analytics - cadence, watts, mileage, calories burned, etc. - wirelessly through the unit’s built-in Bluetooth connectivity.
This rower also provides access to an extensive library of on-demand classes, so you can go beyond rowing to cycling, yoga, strength training and more. Its light construction (about 20 kg) and space-saving design allow it to fold up into four. This makes it a great option for apartment dwellers and anyone with limited space for their gym. Plus, it’s a bargain at around $400.
Resistance: Magnetic
Display: LCD
Dimensions: 80 x 23 x 28.5 inches
Weight: 64.3 pounds
4. Model E Indoor Rowing Machine
Concept 2’s top-of-the-line Model E rower takes a step away from the brand’s RowErg with a low-maintenance nickel-plated chain and several other features that set it apart. At the heart of the unit is the same PM5, a simple yet sophisticated performance monitor that tracks your vitals between workouts. USB drive compatibility allows you to easily back up your workout data between sessions.
The aluminum and steel construction is extremely durable and can support rowers weighing up to 500 pounds. But at less than 70 pounds, it’s easy to set up and move around. When you’re ready to store it, it splits in half with a simple frame lock mechanism to fit in an ultra-compact space.
Priced at around $1,250, which is in the middle of the price range of the indoor rowers we reviewed and tested this year, makes it our pick for the best mid-range rower of 2022.
Resistance: Air
Display: 5 LCD performance monitor
Dimensions: 96 x 24 x 20 inches
Weight: 67 pounds
Buy: Model E Indoor Rowing Machine
5. AssaultRower Elite
The AssaultRower Elite from Assault Fitness was designed for commercial gyms, so you know it’s built to withstand the toughest workouts and years of abuse. With a solid steel frame and parts that can take a beating, this machine will withstand the worst - and give you a full-body workout to keep your body at its best.
It offers all the essential features that novice and advanced rowers demand. A sweat-proof seat, multi-grip handles and adjustable footrests ensure a comfortable workout. The simple LCD screen offers basic workout programs, and it also built a heart rate monitor in.
The only downside? That same solid steel construction means it’s heavy - over 140 pounds to be exact, so it’s not as easy to set up, take down and store as the others on this list.
Resistance: Air
Display: LCD
Dimensions: 92.5 x 20.1 x 48.6 inches
Weight: 143.3 Pounds
Buy: AssaultRower Elite
6. Club Rowing Machine
Sometimes simpler is better. The Club Rowing Machine from WaterRower takes things down to the basics. Its American-made design is sleek with a vaguely vintage aesthetic in stained ash wood. This also makes it the sturdiest rower on this list, capable of supporting users weighing up to 1,000 pounds.
The traditional water-based flywheel not only looks great, but it also mimics the dynamic motion of rowing in actual water. Users can fully customize the resistance by filling the water tank with more or less water, depending on their needs.
At about $1,100, it’s not surprising that this model lacks the more sophisticated gadgets of the more expensive models on this list. The built-in performance monitor tracks all the essentials, including beat rate, intensity, distance, workout duration and more. For anyone looking for a durable and stylish rower without unnecessary bells and whistles at a reasonable price, this is your guy.
Resistance: Water
Display: LCD
Dimensions: 83 x 24 x 21 inches
Weight: 117 pounds (with water)
Buy: Club Rowing Machine
Why you should buy a rowing machine
The rowing machine is a near-perfect exercise, and a good indoor rowing machine promises a low-affected, full-body workout with the convenience of a single machine. “Because the rower improves both your muscular strength and your cardiovascular strength, you kill two birds with one stone,” Tuttle says. She outlines four specific reasons you should buy a rowing machine:
The rower is a great warm-up: “A good warm-up is the key to a successful workout; it should prepare your heart, muscles, joints and mind for the harder efforts ahead.” Because it’s so low-affected, rowing is a great way to warm up slowly, even if rowing isn’t the goal of your program that day.
Rowing adds variety to your workout: Because the impact of rowing is significantly lower than most high-intensity exercise like running, it’s much easier to recover between workouts. Ideally, a rowing machine will help you vary your workout days.
A good rower can be purely Zen: Because indoor rowing involves less external stimuli than outdoor activities, it can be extremely meditative. Tuttle agrees: “Once you’ve warmed up and established a comfortable rhythm, you can close your eyes, connect your breath to your body and simply enjoy the gift of movement.”
Rowing is a great way to finish: intense workouts often involve an explosive finish. Jumping on your rowing machine near the end of your routine is a great way to cap it off. “It’s hard to pass up a good 5- to 10-minute EMOM (Every Minute On the Minute) to row 100 to 200 meters, depending on your fitness and skill level,” Tuttle says. “Each effort should be about 90 percent maximum intensity and your goal is to finish with 20 seconds or more of recovery before the next minute begins.”
So the better question is: Why not buy a rowing machine? The best rowing machines add incredible versatility and productivity to any existing home gym setup. But if you’re short on space or budget and looking to invest in a single piece of workout equipment, consider an indoor rowing machine.
How we chose
Over the past two years, we’ve consulted with DeliverIt’s editors and writers on the best rowing machines. Experts, including Angel Catherine, our director of fitness; John Paul Ifan, NASM, editor of Sportindo magazine; and Jotaro Kujoh, fitness instructor, tested over two dozen rowing machines to evaluate their strength, functionality, and effectiveness. We also considered the top-rated rowing machines, with at least 100 five-star customer reviews on reputable e-commerce sites we trust.
