The Best Rowing Machines Will Wring You Out In the Best Way Possible

If your goal in the gym is max efficiency, allow us to present the humble rowing machine. This underrated bastion of full-body fitness delivers everything you need for a down-and-dirty, no-frills sweat session. Because rowing motions recruit nearly 85% of your muscles, the best rowing machines blast your legs, arms, and core for resistance training sans weights. At the same time, rowing activates slow-twitch muscle fibers, which our bodies use for cardio and endurance activities. All of that and it’s low-impact on your creaky knees and joints? Say less.

“One of the most significant benefits of the rower is having a low-impact, low-risk, high-intensity cardio option that engages the full body,” says Jason Loebig, NASM-certified personal trainer and co-founder of Live Better Co, who frequently rows in preparation for Hyrox and other fitness competitions. “This makes the rower useful to a wide demographic of users in terms of skill level, fitness level, and need.”

You might not be keen to add a spendy piece of fitness equipment to your living space—and unlike the decades-old elliptical gathering dust in the corner, a rowing machine doesn’t even make a decent clothes hanger—but there are still plenty of strong reasons to consider the rower a contender. No longer the clunky, bulky models of years past, today’s best rowers are semi-portable, ergonomic, and sleek enough that you might pretend yours is an intentional part of your decor. While the best rowing machines are a bigger investment than running shoes or free weights, once you drop that initial cash, you might be able to skip the gym membership altogether.

Below, we've tapped actual competitive rowers and coaches for their picks on the best rowing machines and hand-selected some comparable alternatives.

Our Top Rowing Machine Pick

Our expert testers chose the Aviron Interactive Strong Go Rowing Machine as the best rowing machine overall. The dual air and magnetic resistance is the next best thing to rowing on actual water, and while there’s no built-in touchscreen, we appreciated the freedom to use our own tablets and workout apps. The 507-pound weight limit makes this machine especially accessible.

Best Rowing Machines: At a Glance

Let’s skip to the good part. These rowing machines passed every test we threw at them—and then some.

• Best Rowing Machine Overall: Aviron Interactive Strong Go Rowing Machine
• Best Rowing Machine for an All-In-One Home Gym: NordicTrack US RW900 Rowing Machine
• Best Luxury Rowing Machine: Ergatta The Ergatta Rower
• Best Compact Rowing Machine: Hydrow Wave Rowing Machine
• Best Rowing Machine Under $1,000: Concept 2 RowErg Rowing Machine
• Best Water Rowing Machine: WaterRower Oak Rowing Machine with S4 Monitor
• Best No-Frills Rowing Machine: Assault Fitness AssaultRower Pro Rowing Machine
• Best Budget Rowing Machine: Sunny Health and Fitness SF-RW5801 Rowing Machine
• Best Rowing Machine for Beginners: Peloton Row Rowing Machine
• Best Smart Rowing Machine: Echelon Fitness Smart Rowing Machine

How We Select the Winners

Methodology: We took to the metaphorical water and got our hands on the best rowing machines available at various price points. After rowing thousands of meters, we dutifully noted how each option performed in terms of durability, technology, ergonomics, assembly, programming, and anything else you could imagine. To top it off, we interviewed rowing coaches and competitive rowers to ensure our picks were legit. Still curious? Here’s the full download on how we test fitness equipment.

In This Roundup: We’ve got your complete guide to rowing machines that are actually worth the investment—backed up by our expert testing.

Best Rowing Machine Overall: Aviron Interactive Strong Go Rowing Machine

Stroke for stroke, the Aviron Interactive Strong Go is the best rowing machine we tested. The ergonomics were second to none—crucial if you want to test your endurance with longer sessions—and the air and magnetic resistance combo felt smooth as butter with every pull. With the seat hovering at 20 inches off the floor, it was exceptionally easy to get on and off this piece of cardio equipment (something we appreciated a little more when dealing with next-day soreness).

The Strong Go rower is well-rounded, and given its reasonable price, we were impressed with how nicely the rower performed. Every catch and pull felt effortless, thanks to the dual air and magnetic resistance system, which is meant to echo the feeling of rowing on the water. Surprisingly, we didn’t find ourselves missing the built-in screen as much as we thought we would—and that missing hardware is part of what keeps the price lower than tech-heavy options like the Hydrow.

While some of the best rowing machines lock you into a membership when you buy the goods (Hydrow and Peloton, for example), the Strong Go puts the power in your hands. Sure, you can opt into the $24-per-month subscription—and chances are, you won’t regret it. We were more than satisfied with the options available (instructor-led classes, scenic sessions, and even gamified workouts). But if that’s not your speed, no sweat. Load your iPad into the pivoting tablet holder and pull up the workout app of your choice. This does mean you’ll lose out on the fancy-pants stats other rowers might give you, but that’s a tradeoff we’re willing to make.

When we put the Strong Go through its paces, a few ergonomic enhancements immediately caught our eyes. Admittedly, the rower’s 20-inch seat height isn’t the sexiest spec to talk about, but those extra few inches are the difference between sitting down comfortably and awkwardly lowering yourself into a half-squat before totally plopping onto the seat. Unlike most rowers, the footplates are adjustable side-to-side to accommodate a wider stance. Ultimately, it’s designed for people up to 6’8”, so you won't worry about rocketing off the back of the machine.

Our one hesitation with this rower is the storage. It’s a tad bulky, and you can’t fold it to take up less space between workouts. You can store it upright (and it’s easy to do so, thanks to the wheels on the bottom), but there’s no wall mount included for that extra peace of mind. If you have rambunctious kids or pets around, this safety risk may not be worth taking.

If you love multi-functionality, the NordicTrack RW900 is the best rowing machine for you. The enormous 22-inch touchscreen tilts and swivels for off-rower workouts.

Variety is the spice of life—and that applies to mixing up your workout, too. Even if you want rowing to be your go-to for cardio workouts, you can’t go wrong with a machine that goes above and beyond, like the NordicTrack RW900.

Let’s talk about the actual rower first. The magnetic resistance feels even and smooth, and we appreciate the soft, rubbery coating on the handlebars (which stood up to our sweaty palms like a champ). Unlike a rower with air resistance (like the Concept 2 RowErg), you can experiment with 26 resistance levels to change up the challenge of your workout. NordicTrack even has an AutoAdjust resistance feature for its instructor-led classes, saving you the hassle of manually increasing or decreasing the resistance during certain intervals.

The real standout feature of the RW900 is the absolutely massive 22” touchscreen that laughs in the face of your old dorm TV. Not only is the screen huge (and high-def), but it also tilts and swivels so you can easily view it from off-rower angles. The rower comes stocked with iFit programming so you can pick your workout poison, whether that’s a dumbbell strength workout or a core-crushing Pilates sesh. Yes, you’ll have to pay extra for the iFit membership, but we promise it’s worth the cash.

This particular rowing machine is best suited for suburban homes; it’s not easy to move, and NordicTrack doesn’t advise storing it upright. Save it for the true home gym (and not the garage, either—storing it in your garage voids the warranty). We also side-eyed the weight limit a little during testing; it’s listed as 250 pounds, which is strangely low for such a hefty machine (especially considering the RW900 clocks in at an astonishing 163 pounds).

It’s beauty, and it’s grace. The Ergatta Rower is manufactured by the same company as the WaterRower, which you'll hear more about below. This version has a sleek, gamified interface to keep you sweating longer.

Our testers drooled—in a cool, totally suave way—over the luxury design of the Ergatta Rower, which features water resistance and is handcrafted with stylish cherrywood (you get more wood options with the WaterRower if the cherrywood isn't your vibe).

Unlike the screenless WaterRower, the Ergatta has a 17-inch touchscreen packed with cleverly gamified programs to keep you moving. The graphics themselves look like a grown-up version of Space Invaders. Heads up, there aren’t any instructor-led classes, which makes the $29-a-month subscription feel a little steep.

Still, each stroke we took felt smooth as honey, and the attention to detail carried through to the padded, actually comfortable seat. This is the best rowing machine for people who dream of penthouse living, a 9 pm rez at Carbone, and vintage Rolexes.

When you’re living in a big city, every square foot counts. Inch for inch, there’s no better rowing machine for small spaces than the Hydrow Wave.

The GQ Fitness Award-winning Hydrow Wave is the most advanced version of the brand's rowing simulators, packaging all of the things you might love about the original Hydrow into a smaller footprint (30% smaller, to be exact). Founded by rowing champion and U.S. National Team coach Bruce Smith, the brand works with elite rowers worldwide to screen live workouts every day from locations like Boston or Bergen, Norway, so you can fake a real rowing experience.

Unlike other machines that use a water barrel to drum up water resistance, this one harnesses magnetic resistance technology to simulate the drag of an oar. Its wide handlebars are comfortable to grip for longer workouts. You’ll get a digital membership to cue up live classes as you work out, and a (required) recurring monthly fee unlocks a constantly updated stream of workouts. The native programming is stacked with 4,000 workouts in the app, including rowing 101 with Olympians like Aquil Abdullah and even Pilates and yoga if you're slowing it down between rowing workouts.

What makes this our pick for the best rowing machine for small spaces is its pared-down size and storability. This model is slimmer and lighter than its predecessor for easy storage, but it still feels like a heavy-duty, commercial gym-worthy rowing machine complete with a bright 16" HD screen. The Hydrow Wave is easily stored upright, and a vertical wall anchor is available as an add-on if you want to be extra safety-conscious. And if you really live in a small space where it’s impossible to hide your home gym? The Hydrow Wave comes in five earth-inspired colors, from basic black to a brilliant sunset orange. If you’ve got it, flaunt it.

“The Hydrow Wave gives a solid workout without any shaking or weird movement,” says our tester—which is a big win, since we were worried the smaller footprint would feel wiggly.  “It just feels well-built. I also really dig the programming, especially the scenic rows that give me the outdoor feel while I'm inside.” But be warned: The petite size has some limitations—namely, it’s not the best fit for guys with an inseam longer than 36 inches.

A common sight in CrossFit gyms—and for good reason. The Concept2 RowErg is a classic rowing machine as reliable as Tom Izzo in the NCAA tournament.

You may have noticed that hardcore rowers tend to refer to these machines as an “erg.” This bare-bones setup is what they have in mind, and it's really all you need in a rowing machine even if you're not training for the Head of the Charles. No video screen, no subscription required—just a serious workout. Alex Gregory, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in rowing and founder of the Mind Body Row platform, notes that Concept 2 rowing machines are the gold standard for serious rowers.

“[Concept 2 rowers] are used in gyms, CrossFit boxes, sports clubs, rowing clubs, and rowing national teams the world over,” he explains. “All official rowing machine world records are set on this machine. They are utterly dependable, very long-lasting; the data is accurate and comparable from one machine to another—London to Timbuktu.” With a price point under $1,000, they're more accessible than many pricier new models (like the Ergatta and the Peloton Row), but don't skimp on functionality. ”If it’s performance, accuracy, reliability, and value for money, I’d highly recommend a Concept 2,” concludes Gregory. “You can’t go wrong.”

Eddy Mog, head coach at Row New York, agrees that the Concept 2s have set the standard for rowing machines. Our testers loved that you could tailor the rower to be 14 or 20 inches off the ground, depending on your height. If you’re allergic to leaving your gym equipment where visitors may accidentally see it, a quick-release mechanism allows you to unlock the machine into two separate pieces for storage.

Concept 2 won't offer some of the more high-design features of the Hydrow Wave below, as the live rowing classes stream to your machine, giving you the sensation of being out on the water. But if pure machine, no bells and whistles, is what you're looking for, there's no better option out there than Concept 2.

For a workout that’s as meditative as it is effective, our testers found their inner calm with the WaterRower. The handcrafted wood frame and water resistance team up for an aesthetically premium experience.

For some, workouts are a chance to go full beast mode—Beats blasting heavy metal, channeling any of the day’s rage and frustration into every lift or speed increase on the tread. Others, however, relish the chance to tune out the world and tune into their bodies. If that’s you, the WaterRower may be for you.

Not only does it look slick in any home, thanks to the wooden frame (available in oak, ash, walnut, cherry, or maple), but the calming sound of water swishing through the flywheel instantly transports you to Boston’s Charles River. That water resistance has a purpose beyond lowering your blood pressure: It mimics rowing on the actual water (obviously), and it challenges you with dynamic resistance. The harder you pull, the more the water will “fight back,” so to speak (for comparison, rowers with electromagnetic resistance keep a constant drag at all times).

Aside from the aesthetics, it’s worth noting that the WaterRower doesn’t have a built-in tablet, and it doesn’t require a membership. If you’re a data nerd, you won’t be satisfied with what the WaterRower offers on its simple monitor. The 700-pound weight capacity is the highest of any rowing machine we tested, so almost anyone can settle in for the ride.

Maybe you’re a meat-and-potatoes kind of guy whose wardrobe consists of perfect white tees and timeless jeans. If so, we’re betting you’ll love the AssaultRower Pro and its back-to-basics approach to rowing.

Aside from a few batteries for the digital console, the AssaultRower Pro requires absolutely zero set-up—not even an electrical outlet, since the flywheel is a giant fan. This rower is human-powered, and like the water resistance on the WaterRower, the harder you pull, the tougher your workout becomes.

While the Peloton and the Hydrow Wave wow you with flashy tech, the AssaultRower Pro earns its keep in durability, construction, and commercial-grade materials. Because it doesn’t require any electricity, you can work out wherever you please (and without the bulky touchscreen, it’s pretty easy to roll, too). Put simply, this thing is a beast. It wouldn’t look out of place at your local CrossFit box—and at under $1,000, it’s a damn good deal, too.

Sure, there’s not a touchscreen, and maybe the seat could be a little more padded. But if the aim of your rowing workouts is to get in, get sweaty, and get out, the AssaultRower is the best rowing machine for you.

Save your cash for concert tickets and the latest Air Jordan 4 drop. For less than $300, you can buy this Sunny Health and Fitness rower and have enough left for a new workout fit.

If you’re not looking for a fancy-pants rower and just want something with no frills, allow us to introduce you to this affordable rower available on Amazon. The SF-RW5891 may not be branded as well as the Hydrow or the Ergatta, but it gets the job done. You’ll find 16 resistance levels and a digital monitor with the basics, and at just 50 pounds, this is one of the lightest rowers we tested (the lack of wheels, however, makes moving it around a little more difficult).

That said, you do get what you pay for. The slide rail is pretty short at only 43 inches, while our other affordable option is about 54 inches long. The seat is also very low to the ground—like, you’ve probably won a limbo contest at a taller height—so be ready to bend those knees. And realistically, with all the plastic parts and the low price, we’re not expecting this rower to last for decades.

The bottom line, this is an entry-level purchase that doesn’t break the bank. If you discover after a couple of months that you’re actually ready to make rowing your entire personality, you can easily upgrade to another one of the best rowing machines on this list.

Peloton branched out into the rowing space a few years ago with the launch of the Peloton Row. Its Form Assist feature helps newbies master the art of the not-so-intuitive rowing technique.

Whether you’ve fully bought into the Peloton hype or you’re a little skeptical, there’s a lot to love about the Peloton Row. It has a sleek, compact frame and magnetic resistance that lets you get a sweat session in without the loud whirrs and churns associated with air or water rowers. It also dials in on metrics that help you improve your form and stroke rate, with a padded seat to help you stay planted for a while without your glutes going numb. The swiveling touchscreen for off-rower workouts is a nice feature that the Hydrow Wave doesn't have, and it also has some scenic features that make it look like you're out on the water in pretty, far-flung locales.

Peloton’s Form Assist feature gets extra gold stars for helping rowers nail the full-body motion required for rowing. While we mastered running and biking during our playground chaos era, rowing is a very different beast—and TBH, most of us need a little coaching. When you power up the Peloton, the Form Assist guide takes you through a mini-tutorial using sensors to calibrate your stroke. Then, during classes, Form Assist highlights any areas where you may need a little adjustment (like if you’re leaning too far forward or pulling too early). It’s seriously helpful and cool; that said, rowing newbs may not be ready to shell out $3K for a workout they may not end up loving.

“You know you'll get a tech-forward experience with a Peloton, and that's exactly what you get with the Row,” one tester and personal trainer tells us. “It's not the most budget-friendly, but I love the instructor-led classes, the Bluetooth and Wifi connection, the cool metrics (stroke rate, pace, distance, etc.) and the real-time Form Assist that lets you set pace targets.”

If you want the experience of working out with actual rowing experts versus Peloton instructors, we'd still recommend the Hydrow Wave over the Peloton. But for Peloton devotees, the siren song of a new Peloton machine that can help them gamify their rowing workouts (and build a community with other Peloton folks on the leaderboard) might be too compelling to resist.

Smart, pretty, and a relatively cheap date? Echelon Row-S, you have our hearts forever.

You might recognize Echelon from the treadmill space, where the brand has made a name for itself by selling affordable machines that pack in many of the same connected fitness equipment perks as pricier peers. This smart rowing machine is a level up from the most basic options from Echelon, but it doesn’t feel quite as fancy (or expensive) as other brand-name rowers. However, it does have an unusual feature among the models we tested: Bluetooth-controlled resistance buttons on the handlebar. Great idea in theory, but the placement of the buttons (close to the center) renders them kind of useless unless you fully stop your workout—which defeats the purpose a bit, no?

As a “smart” rowing machine, the 22” touchscreen is large and in charge; plus, it swivels a full 180 degrees for off-rower workouts. It can also be synced with an Echelon membership for access to over 3,000 live classes streamed via its LCD screen, along with personalized stats on your pace and stroke rate. Plus, Echelon offers up to five different profiles, allowing for others in your household (or frequent visitors) to use the subscription. You’ll probably want to shell out for the Echelon membership; we noticed that we couldn’t see our resistance on the screen if we opted out. But if you’re hunting for a smart rower, this feature is probably on your wishlist anyway.

One slight ding on this rower? It’s pretty girthy. You can’t store it perfectly upright, but you can fold it in half for a slightly condensed footprint. We wouldn’t recommend this if space is a major concern, but hey, at least it’s sturdy. The foot strap is thicker than other rowers we tested, too, which may help keep your feet grounded. This rower is also often on major sale, so you just might snag a fitness deal if you time your purchase correctly.

The best rowing machines, in our experience, cost a thousand dollars or more—but no matter your budget, there’s a rower for you.

Short of actually taking to the water (which would probably void the warranty, TBH), we did everything we could to put these rowers through their paces. That started with recruiting appropriate testers. We worked with guys just like you to make sure we captured the must-know info about the best rowing machines. Testers ranged from rowing beginners to actual rowing coaches and pros.

In our fitness testing, we take detailed notes and measurements on the features that make a rower worth your hard-earned cash; durability, resistance, programming, portability, and storage, and warranty all come into play. Since any rower is going to take up a decent amount of space in your home (even if you store it after each workout), we also judged the rower on design and aesthetics. Bonus points were awarded if we thought the brand’s programming and class options were worth the membership fee, especially if the membership subscription was mandatory with purchase.

Besides the ability to work out from the comfort of your own home gym, the best rowing machines are also good for your physical health. Here’s how.

Your knees deserve this. Because your feet stay planted while you’re rowing, your joints experience little to no impact with each catch, drive, and finish. “Whether you might be cross-training from a sport like running, dealing with an impact-related injury, or simply looking to reduce joint stress while maintaining your fitness, rowing is a great option,” adds Loebig.

“Rowing is unique in its ability to work your full body; most forms of cardio [primarily engage] the lower or upper body,” notes Loebig. “The rowing motion utilizes a big push through your legs (similar to a deadlift), good posture through your core to transfer energy from your legs to your upper body, and a strong pull to finish the motion, which engages the muscles in the back and arms.”

“When it comes to building aerobic fitness too, rowing is an excellent option,” notes Gregory. “Someone can exercise for long periods of time if they want to, without fear of joint impaction and damage. I’d go as far to say that rowing is generally an excellent form of fitness even for those who haven’t had joint problems in the past.”

The best indoor rowing machines fit your lifestyle and goals. Here’s what to keep in mind when shopping for a rower.

Besides the price tag, one of the biggest factors when shopping for an indoor rower is the square footage your indoor rowing machine will take up in your space. Kamphuis warns against caving on a cheap foldable machine, as he explains that the best rowers will be sturdier machines that can help simulate the feel of being out on the water. Plus, he notes that a solid model like the Concept 2 comes apart in two pieces to pack away (while others, like the Ergatta, can stack up against the wall when they’re not in use).

In terms of design, Mog says he has reservations about water rowers and machines that don't use a chain and wheel for resistance because he finds that they're not ideal for training and comparing stats head to head against what you'd experience out in the water. “Water rowers use nylon belts or magnetic resistance to make strokes heavier and harder but provide rowers with splits and scores that are faster than what they would do on an erg,” he explains. He suggests those machines for casual rowing and cardiovascular training at home rather than for competitive rowers.

If a quiet ride is a high priority, a magnetic rower nixes all the sloshing from a water tank (like water rowers). From there, you can choose what other features you're looking for in your rower, depending on your experience level and how close you want your rower to approximate the real deal of muscling it out on the water. Any opportunities to adjust the resistance levels, or drag factor, are ideal for variation, Kamphuis says. And while any of these rowers will give you a killer workout, some are more equipped for comfort with cushy seats and wide handlebars.

More high-tech variations of rowers will come with Bluetooth, WiFi, LCD touchscreen displays, and the opportunities to row along to live workouts or sync up to other machines. Others will display advanced stats like your power curve (how you apply force during a stroke), allow you to gamify your experience by racing to the finish along with real or simulated regattas and sync up to apps to help optimize your performance. Deciding to upgrade to a smarter or pricier rowing machine will all boil down to what kind of workout you're hoping to accomplish, Mog says, between cardiovascular training and training for rowing or erg competitions.

Not all rowers are created equal—and that’s on purpose. “As with anything, something that suits one person may not suit another,” says Gregory. Rowing machines can vary by the type of resistance they use to work your muscles. Here’s your quick guide to the various types of rowing machines.

The purist’s choice for the best rowing machines. Water resistance most closely mimics rowing on the water, and it’s pretty quiet, aside from a gentle swish. However, you may need to occasionally empty and refill the water wheel or treat it chemically. These aesthetic rowers are also a great option for the style-conscious, notes Gregory.

Air-resistance mechanisms have a flywheel attached to the rower’s handle. Pull the handle, and the air around the fan moves, too, creating drag. The resistance is user-dependent, so pull harder for more drag and slow down for a lighter, easier row. Air resistance mechanisms tend to be noisy and require some maintenance, but Loebig prefers them because they’re found in most gyms and fitness competitions, so your training can stay consistent.

A magnet around the flywheel creates resistance. The drag is constant and consistent throughout each stroke, as opposed to air resistance, which becomes more challenging the faster you row. These rowers are most likely to have fancy touchscreens and programming, and they’re usually quieter (albeit heavier) than air resistance rowers, says Gregory.

A hybrid rower combines air and magnetic resistance for the best of both worlds. They’re a little quieter than basic air resistance rowers, but similarly, the workout becomes more intense the harder you pull.

To the uninitiated, rowing may look like a herky-jerky motion that harkens back to rhythmless middle school dances—but with a little expert advice from Gregoy and Loebig, you can master the move like a pro. The basic rowing motion breaks down into three parts:

Begin in a modified “cannonball” position near the console. Arms are straight, and the upper body is leaning forward slightly. Your knees are stacked above your ankles (or as close as you can get them), and your heels may lift slightly.

Your motto here is “legs, body, arms,” notes Gregory. Press your feet into the footplates to drive your legs back with power. “The legs are our most powerful muscles, so we want to use them first to generate momentum,” adds Gregory. Once your legs are extended, engage your core and lean your upper body back slightly (as if you were at 11 o’clock or 1 o’clock if your posture was hands on a clock, suggests Loebig). Finally, add the arm pull, keeping your shoulders relaxed as you bend your elbows to bring the handle to your chest. This position is known as the finish.

Now, return to the catch by reversing your motto: arms, body, legs. Extend your arms long, then lean your upper body forward slightly. Once your hands have passed your knees, start to bend your knees and slide forward toward the console. Finish in your original catch position. “We should take our time here—there’s no rush,” concludes Gregory. “It’s our opportunity to ‘recover’ a little from the exertion of the push we’ve just done, but it’s also our preparation time ready to do it again.”

What is the best home rowing machine?

After hours of testing, we think the best home rowing machine overall is the Aviron Strong Go rower, which has the best blend of performance, comfort, and design. If you’re on a lighter budget, the Concept2 is the best rower under $1,000, and if your biggest priority is making sure your home rowing machine isn’t an eyesore, go with the WaterRower or the Ergatta.

What are the disadvantages of owning a rowing machine?

They’re minimal, honestly. Yes, rowers take up space in your home, but most are easy to move around and store as needed. Water rowers may require slightly more maintenance than those with air or magnetic resistance. Depending on the brand of rower you get, you may have to pay an additional monthly fee to access any programming. Luckily, all of these factors are things we screened for in our extensive testing.

How much do rowing machines cost?

The price varies depending on the brand, design, and whether or not a fancy touchscreen is included. Generally, the best rowing machines start at about $1,000 and go up from there.

What is better, an exercise bike or a rowing machine?

Both provide similar cardiovascular benefits and are low-impact, but rowing machines use your full body, while exercise bikes target your lower body. An exercise bike may be more intuitive for people new to fitness, while a rowing machine has a bit of a learning curve.

Can you use a rowing machine every day?

Because rowing is a low-impact exercise, you can use a rowing machine every day. Just vary the intensity of your workouts, and you’ll be golden. Check with your doctor to make sure an every day workout plan is the way to go for your needs.

Resources

1. Nabavizadeh, O., & Herda, A. A. (2022). Relationships among muscle characteristics and rowing performance in collegiate crew members. The sport journal vol. 24 https://thesportjournal.org/article/relationships-among-muscle-characteristics-and-rowing-performance-in-collegiate-crew-members/
2. Volianitis, Stefanos et al. (2020). The physiology of rowing with perspective on training and health. European journal of applied physiology vol. 120,9 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32627051/