Rowing machines that deserve spot in your gym
Rowing machines may not be as popular as ellipticals or treadmills, but these low-impact cardio machines deserve a spot in your home gym. Not only is rowing a low-impact exercise that’s easy on your joints, it’s also a whole-body workout that engages your arms, legs, core and back and can help improve your posture as you build strength. While there are many out there that can get the job done, the best rowing machine for you depends on your needs, budget and fitness level.
We’ve highlighted three of the best rowing machines that will work well for most people. Each machine has something different to offer, from advanced smart capabilities to a budget-friendly price. But something they all have in common is a user-friendly interface and a smooth pull and flywheel (if applicable).
BEST ROWING MACHINE OVERALL Hydrow Rower
The Hydrow Rower wowed us right from the start. Aside from the fact that it has an upscale, beautiful design, everything about it just worked. The strokes were smooth, the adjustable footbeds were comfortable, and the seat rail was long enough to allow for full range of motion without any bumping against the stoppers. The only gripe with the design is that the handle is set a little far back and we could barely reach it without a decent stretch, but it’s hard to take points off for that since we all have different arm lengths.
Rather than having an exposed flywheel like some of the other models on this list, it works on an electromagnetic resistance drag mechanism that you can adjust from 1 to 300. At default, it’s set to 104, which mimics the feel of rowing on the water — and this is suitable for most workouts and most fitness levels. We rowed at this drag setting most of the time, and left each workout feeling spent in all of the right ways.
The Hydrow App experience was just as enjoyable. The trainers are set up in boats in the water in different destinations, so you could really immerse yourself in the experience if you wanted to. We would have preferred a different point of view — rather than looking at the trainers, it would have been nice to see things from their eyes as if you were rowing on the river yourself — but this is just a minor complaint.
BEST SMART ROWING MACHINE NordicTrack RW900
If you’re looking for a truly immersive experience rather than just a simple workout, the NordicTrack RW900 brings all of the smart features you need. It has a 22-inch touchscreen (one of the best you’ll find on a home rower) and live resistance control that gives iFit trainers the power to change your experience during a workout. This rowing machine combines air and magnetic resistance that really upped the ante on workout intensity. We felt like we got the most intense workout with this machine, since you can set the resistance levels yourself.
We also found this machine to be the most comfortable. In addition to having an ultrasmooth glide, it allows for full range of motion and has pivoting pedals and a softtouch handle that was easy to grip and hold on to as we went through the motions.
Of course, like all NordicTrack and ProForm machines, it comes with the option to connect an iFit membership, and your first year is free with purchase. That’s where the real magic happens. iFit gives you access to hundreds of trainers that take you through workouts for every fitness level. You can also opt for studio classes, which involve exercises both on and off the rower. For these exercises, you can turn the touchscreen, just like with the Peloton Bike, so you can follow along with the trainer.
BEST FOLDING ROWING MACHINE ProForm 750R Rower
Rowing machines aren’t especially bulky, but they do take up a fair amount of horizontal space, which can make them inconvenient to have around if you don’t have a dedicated gym area. The ProForm 750R Rower solves this problem with its Space Saver design. With the literal pull of a handle, it folds up and its footprint goes from 7 feet to about 3 — probably one of the easiest stowaway processes we’ve ever experienced in a cardio machine.
Using it is just as straightforward. The pull wasn’t as smooth as some of the other options on this list, but we were able to achieve full range of motion and the inertia-enhanced flywheel allowed for a smooth rotation without any wobbling or jerkiness, even at higher speeds.
This machine is on the less-expensive side as far as midrange rowing machines go, but it doesn’t feel like a budget option aside from the fact that it doesn’t have a video display on the console. You can view your calories, time and distance, but if you want to immerse yourself into an interactive rowing experience you’ll have to hook up your tablet in the included holder. It does have the ability to connect to iFit, it’s just not as seamless as the NordicTrack RW900, since you’ll need to bring your own viewing screen.