A rowing machine is one of the commonly used machines both in regular gyms and home gyms. Workouts on a rowing machine are some of the best forms of low-impact cardio. You burn more calories, and the exercises contribute to your heart health. Like other gym machines, rowing machines come in different designs and types.
In this article, you will find rowing machine reviews of some of the best available on the market.
Table of Contents
The Top Rowing Machines
1. Everfit Foldable Magnetic Resistance Rowing Machine
If you are looking for a rowing machine to fit your small home gym, this is the best choice.
Key Features
- 10-level magnetic resistance
- Multi-angle monitor
- Adjustable foot straps
- Foldable design
- Easy to transport
The machine is ideal for upper and lower body workout. The design features a tension knob that allows you to turn the resistance up or down. This way, you can customize your training from easy to challenging workouts.
The sturdy pedals are wide and come with adjustable straps for comfortable use. You will love that the rower is foldable and fitted with transport wheels for convenient carrying and storage. It is one of the best rowing machines on a budget and works well for both beginners and experts.
2. Life Fitness Row HX Trainer
If you are looking for a highly functional rower, this design from Life Fitness is a viable choice.
Key Features
- Natural wood and tempered steel frame
- Four resistance levels
- Easy to move
- Easy adjustments
This unique rower comes in incredible quality to hold up well despite regular use. It features a wood and steel frame that ensures durability while maintaining the style. The rower has four resistance levels that you can adjust at the turn of a dial. This feature makes it suitable for multiple users.
The rower glides smoothly and operates silently. It is one of the best home rowing machines in terms of quality and functionality for home use.
3. Endurance Rowing Machine
This is the best rowing machine if you are looking for a wide range of resistance levels.
Key Features
- 16 levels of resistance
- Built-in wheels
- Foldable design
- Inbuilt programs
- Adjustable seat
- Magnetic resistance
This rower machine is one of the few designs that come with 16 levels of resistance. This feature makes it useful for both beginners and seasoned trainers. With these levels, you can adjust from an easy workout to a more challenging one.
The best thing is that you can fold it after use and store it appropriately. With the built-in wheels, you can easily move it from one room to another.
4. Tunturi R30 Cardio Fit Series Rower
The design of this rower is simple and can be a great addition to a home gym with multiple users.
Key Features
- Easy-to-read monitor
- Customizable workouts
- Eight levels of resistance
- Adjustable seat
- Tablet holder
- Transport wheels
When looking for a rower, you want to find one with a range of resistance levels to suit different workouts. This particular design has eight levels allowing you to customize workouts to suit your fitness goals. More to this, it comes with an adjustable, ergonomic seat for your comfort.
It is the best home rowing machine for small spaces; however, the resistance is not as difficult for people looking for more challenging workouts.
5. Row Machine Exercise Rower
If you are looking for the best row machine with air resistance, you might want to consider this one.
Key Features
- Adjustable air resistance
- High-quality construction
- Smart LCD counter
- Foldable design
- Transport wheels
The rower features ten resistance levels giving you the option to customize your workouts. It comes in high-quality stainless steel to last long and withstands regular use. It can hold up to 330 pounds of weight.
With the smart LCD display, you can keep track of speed, distance, time, calories burned, and date. It works well for small spaces, thanks to the foldable design.
6. Rowing Exercise Machine
This rowing machine for home use operates smoothly and can be ideal for apartments ad small home gyms.
Key Features
- 4-level resistance
- Durable steel
- Foldable design
- Wheel glide rail system
- Elastic rope system
- Adjustable large footrest
The design is simple hence suitable for starters in cardio and strength exercises. With this machine, you can customize your workout and adjust the resistance levels. It is easy to use and comes in high-quality steel to last long.
You do not have to worry about space with this machine; it has wheels and folds into a compact size for easy storage.
7. Everfit Magnetic Rowing Machine
The different features of this rower make it ideal for a variety of workouts.
Key Features
- 360-degrees rotatable arms
- Bonus handle rings
- 8-level resistance
- Sturdy construction
- Silent operation
- LED display
- Foldable
- Bottle holder
This is one of the best row machines on the market. It combines durability and functionality in a simple design that everyone can use. It glides smoothly, allowing you to workout out noise-free and comfortable. It is a suitable choice if you have limited space. You can fold it into a compact size or wheel it away to another room for storage.
8. Gym Direct Rowing Machines
Gym Direct is one of the places in Australia where you can get row machines. They have various models, such as the Concept2 Model D indoor rower. It is one of the most popular designs and has proven to work well for indoor training. Like other models on their site, the Concept2 Model D is of high-quality to ensure functionality and durability.
Types of Rowing Machines
Rowing machines are classified by the type of resistance they have. There are four common types that are air, magnetic, water, and hydraulic piston resistance.
Air Resistance Rowing Machines
This type of rowing machine gets the resistance from a spinning fan flywheel. These come with a handle that you pull to spin the flywheel. As it turns, it creates wind that then gives the resistance.
The harder you row, the more wind it generates, and the more resistance you will achieve. It means that if you row with less effort, then you create low resistance. The best thing about this type is that you can control the level of resistance with the motion.
On this note, this type does not come with knobs or buttons that you can use to control the resistance level. A few designs come with levers that you can use to adjust the airflow to control the resistance level.
Air resistance rower machines are popular for high-intensity interval training as well as Crossfit workouts. It is because you can row intensely from one set and shift to the next without having to stop the machine. However, these machines make some noise when you pull the handle.
Magnetic Resistance Rowing Machine
These use a magnetic brake system to generate resistance. They feature a metal flywheel that as it spins, you can move the magnet closer or farther to create more or less resistance. The best thing about these machines is that they do not produce any friction and are silent in operation.
With a magnetic resistance rowing machine, you can adjust the level of resistance to suit your needs. They feature a wide range of resistance levels that you can choose from high to low. Also, the design has a monitor that you can use to track distance, speed, calories, time, etc.
This type delivers a smooth glide, thanks to the heavy flywheel. Also, it is smaller than other types and hence suitable for small spaces like apartments. The downside with this type is that the resistance is not as much as the one you get with water and air rowers. But, if you are looking for adjustable resistance, then this works perfectly.
Water Resistance Rowing Machines
Water rowing machines use paddles that you suspend in a tank of water to create resistance. When you pull the handle of the rower, the paddles spin to create resistance. In simpler terms, this type works just like rowing a boat.
If you pull the handle harder, the paddles spin faster. With the high speed, it gets difficult to pull the handle, which creates more resistance. On this note, the level of resistance depends on how hard or light you pull the handle.
Water resistance rowers are similar to air ones. The design is similar only that this type uses water to build up resistance instead of air. You can adjust the resistance with the amount of water in the tank as well as the rowing intensity.
Like air resistance types, water-resistance rowers make some noise. However, it is not as much to cause a distraction. The advantage of using this type is that it provides the smoothest rowing motion out of all the types.
Hydraulic Piston Resistance
This type uses hydraulic pistons to generate resistance. Most designs come with two pistons, one attached to each arm of the handlebar. One-piston models have only one in the centre. The piston has a knob that you can use to adjust the resistance by turning it.
This type of resistance is the only one that allows you to work out each arm independently. This unique design makes this type the best for rehab and corrective exercises. They operate quietly hence suitable for home gyms. Also, they are quite affordable compared to the other types. They are compact and can work for small spaces.
However, they are not the best type of rowing machine for tall and heavy people. Also, the pistons end to overheat with workouts taking a long time. If you are looking for a rowing machine for serious cardio, you might want to consider the other types [1].
What to Look for When Buying a Rowing Machine
Resistance
This is one of the essential features to keep in mind when buying a rowing machine. Indoor rowing machines come in different resistance types that you can choose. Each model is unique to the design of the rower hence the need to understand the difference in types.
The Console/ Performance Monitor
Most indoor rowing machines come with consoles that you can use to monitor several parameters concerning your exercise. Most feature speed, distance covered, time, average calories burned, and heart rate.
Size
The size of the rower determines how well it works for the space you have. If your home gym is small, then you might want to consider compact options. Also, if the rower is for multiple users, you want to consider that and ensure it meets the needs of every user.
FAQ
Can You Lose Belly Fat on a Rowing Machine?
Consistent use of a rowing machine and the right nutrition can help you burn belly fat. Rowing machines are great for low-impact, high-intensity cardio workouts, which can help you burn fat and work towards your fitness goals.
Are Rowing Machines a Good Workout?
Rowing machines are less popular compared to treadmills and bikes. But, they are useful as they allow you to work on both your lower and upper body. When used correctly, they can give you a great total body workout and contribute to your health and fitness goals.
What Is Rowing Exercises?
Rowing exercise is a type of strength training whereby the user pulls the rower’s handle towards the body. While doing this, the rower then pushes the legs away from the body. The exercise acts on multiple muscles in the arms, legs, thighs, and those that support the spine.
The Bottom Line
An indoor rowing machine can be a great addition to your home gym. Not only does it help with strength training, but also ideal for cardio exercises. The reviews above can guide you into the type of rowing machine you can get. They are all available in Australia and have proven to work for other fitness enthusiasts.
