Whether you want to gamify your endurance sessions or get a regular cardio fix, these are the best rowing machines for home gym setups…
Until recently rowing machines were seen as the reserve of the commercial gym or fitness studio. But advances in tech have made them lighter, (a little) more compact and (almost) affordable. Those serious about upping their cardio game at home can now realistically consider investing in one of the best rowing machines. That way they can get their rowing fix whenever they like.
There’s now a surprisingly wide range of rowing machines to chose from too. From top-of-the-range $2K / £2K-plus machines with large touchscreens with gamification and virtual rowing options to simple sub-$1K / £1K models that look less like spaceships and offer a more streamlined experience, there’s a rowing machine for most budgets.
Most use air or magnetic resistance from an adjustable flywheel for you to pull against. Others, like the WaterRower Original, use water as a resistance medium. They tend to have chain or belt-drive mechanisms attached to the ‘oar’ handle, and a movable seat on wheels or rails.
Those with larger displays or digital touchscreens will often require a membership subscription to unlock on-demand classes, games and virtual rowing options, so make sure you factor that monthly expense in when making your decision.
How we tested the best rowing machines
Our experienced product testers tested each rowing machine in their own homes for at least a month. They tested each machine as a standalone rowing experience throughout its entire damper setting range and explored each machine’s connectivity and media options and subscription and app offerings. They were also tested for durability, easy of use and storage.
They marked each rowing machine for its design, features and suitability for a home gym setup before giving them an overall score to rank them in our best rowing machine buyers guide.
Benefits of rowing
Indoor rowing, like indoor cycling, has a major advantage over treadmills in that it provides a zero-impact cardio workout. It can burn a serious amount of calories too, allowing you to torch more than 300 in just 30 minutes.
It offers a higher oxygen consumption and at a lower heart rate than treadmill workouts. Oh, and it’s also one of the few forms of cardio that packs on serious muscle.
If you have the room and the budget, the best rowing machines provide an effective endurance workout to improve heart and lung function while working every major muscle in your body. The drive phase engages your leg muscles, then your core and finally your upper body.
Other benefits include improving joint health, mobility and flexibility and core strength. With all their available metrics, rowing machines are great tools for goal-setting too.
These are the best rowing machines
- NordicTrack RW900 Rower ($1,999 / £1,999 plus $39 / £34 monthly membership)
- Aviron Strong Series Rower ($2,100 plus membership from $24 per month – international shipping available)
- WaterRower Original Series (from $1,099 / £1,099)
- Hyrow Wave Rower ($1,895 / £1,595 plus $44 / £44 monthly membership)
(Read on for full reviews)
NordicTrack RW900
Rower
BUY IT NOW:
$1,999 / £1,999 (plus $39 / £34 monthly membership), nordictrack.com
Design: 5/5
Features: 5/5
Home-gym friendly: 4/5
OVERALL: 4.5/5
Display: 22in touchscreen | Dimensions: 82 x 22 x 52in / 208 x 55.8 x 132.1cm | Connectivity: Bluetooth | Warranty: 10-year frame, two-year parts
You’ll see the RW900 in plenty of commercial fitness spaces, due to its premium design and ultra-quiet running. Its impressive 10-year frame guarantee means it’s a worthwhile home investment too, if you can find the cash and the space.
A tilting touchscreen gives you access to loads of premium membership content and SmartAdjust machine learning technology means every workout is tailored to suit you. With the RW900, smart training just got a whole lot smarter.
Read our full NordicTrack RW900 Rower review
Aviron Strong Series Rower
BUY IT NOW:
$2,100 plus membership from $24 per month, avironactive.com (international shipping available)
Design: 4.5/5
Features: 5/5
Home-gym friendly: 4/5
Overall: 4.5/5
Display: 22in touchscreen | Dimensions: 84 x 27 x 48in / 213.4 x 68.6 x 121.9cm | Connectivity: Bluetooth | Warranty: 10-year frame, one-year parts
The Aviron Strong’s dual air and magnetic resistance gives plenty of scope for fine tuning your workout and offers an authentic rowing experience. Its Whisper nylon belt keeps noise to a minimum too.
Reasonably priced monthly membership not only gives you access to coached, guided and structured programmes on multiple profiles but to Netflix, Disney+ and Spotify streaming platforms, among others, to keep you entertained as you row.
Read our full Aviron Strong Series Rower review
WaterRower Original Series
BUT IT NOW:
From $1,099 / £1,099, waterrower.co.uk
Features: 3/5
Ease of use: 4/5
Home-gym friendly: 5/5
OVERALL: 4.5/5
Display: S4 Performance Monitor | Dimensions: 82.3 x 20.9 x 22in / 209 x 53 x 56cm | Finishes: Oak / Cherry / Walnut / British / Ash / Club | Connectivity: Optional Bluetooth Commodule | Warranty: five-year frame, three-year parts
The WaterRower is a rowing machine unlike any other, using a unique water flywheel to provide a smooth, realistic and immersive rowing experience. Its standard monitor is fairly basic but there are plenty of upgrades available to give you Bluetooth connectivity or to allow you to use your own tablet or laptop to enjoy third-party rowing apps.
It has a stunning design that wouldn’t look out of place in a stately home or swanky penthouse and there are a number of high-end wooden finishes to choose from.
Read our full WaterRower Original Series review
Hydrow Wave Rower
BUY IT NOW:
$1,895 / £1,595 (plus $44 / £44 monthly membership), hydrow.com
Design: 4/5
Features: 4/5
Home-gym friendly: 4.5/5
OVERALL: 4/5
Display: 16in touchscreen | Dimensions: 80.3 x 19.3 x 43.3in / 204 x 49 x 110cm | Connectivity: Bluetooth | Warranty: one year
Smaller and cheaper than the OG Hydrow, the new Wave has a sleek, stylish and minimal brushed aluminium design. There are a number of custom colours available too, so it can make a design statement in any living room.
The Hydrow Wave features a 16in touchscreen which gives you access to plenty of engaging live classes and on-demand content for a completely connected fitness experience. Overall this is one of the most realistic and authentic rowing experiences on the market.
Read our full Hydrow Wave Rower review
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