Air, water, and magnetic rowing machines are three common types of indoor rowing machines, each utilizing different resistance mechanisms, which affect the rowing experience. Air rowing machines generate resistance using a flywheel with fan blades, meaning that resistance increases with the pace and intensity of the rower's strokes. This design offers a more dynamic workout, simulating the feel of outdoor rowing. Water rowing machines, on the other hand, use a water-filled flywheel tank. The resistance is created by the drag of the water, which also increases with rowing speed, providing a more fluid and realistic rowing sensation akin to being on water. These machines often produce a pleasing, soothing sound as the paddles move through the water. Magnetic rowing machines employ strong magnets to create resistance, with resistance levels adjustable through a magnetic brake mechanism. The resistance remains constant regardless of the rowing speed, offering a quieter, more controlled workout environment. Each type of machine has its own set of advantages, catering to different preferences and requirements, such as noise level, space, and the desired feel of the rowing experience.
Best Rowing Machines of February 2025
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Rating is 5 out of 5
YOSUDA Magnetic Rowing Machine 350 LB Weight Capacity - Rower Machine for Home Use with LCD Monitor, Tablet Holder and Comfortable Seat Cushion-New Version
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Choose YOSUDA: Design and produce top-quality exercise machines for home use for over 20 years. YOSUDA has been chosed by more than 3,000,000 families and we will always stand behind our product
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10× 10 Powerful Magnetic: Equipped with a 10-lb flywheel and high-quality magnetic control system, this rower machine provides enough resistance. All stages users can get an effective workout whether you are a beginner or an advanced user
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Dual Silent System: The non-contact magnetic resistance system delivers a virtually silent rowing experience. High-density steel reduces noise, changing your daily rowing into pleasure. You can enjoy your workout without worries anytime
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Well Built & Long Lasting: Commercial quality and the 5mm-thick steel ensures the high durability of YOSUDA rowing machine. Maximum weight capacity can be up to 350 lbs. The 48'' range of motion fits users from 4'5'' to 6'2'', suitable for family use
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6-Types of Data Disply: The 3.45-inch LCD monitor clearly displays the rowing data. You can put the phone or tablet on the holder to enjoy the videos or music
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Rating is 4.9 out of 5
YOSUDA Water Rowing Machines for Home Use- Foldable Rower Machine 400LBS Weight Capacity with Dedicated Monitor & Bluetooth APP, Comfortable Seat
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Revolutionary 180° Foldable Storage Design: Save space in your home with our innovative folding feature; The elegant beech wood finish adds a stylish touch, making it blend seamlessly with your home decoration
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Robust 400 lbs Capacity: The YOSUDA water rowing machine, meticulously crafted from solid beech wood, offers exceptional durability and stability; Accommodating users up to 78.74 inches tall, it’s the perfect fit for nearly every member of your family
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Never Worry Leaking Problem: The oversized tank of the folding rowing machine provides ample resistance for your workout; With patented sealing technology, no need to drain after use and no water leakage when stored upright
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Full-Body Muscle Workout: Featuring an oversized water tank, this water rower delivers ample resistance; Each stroke engages 90% of your muscle groups; All stages users get an effective workout whether you are beginners or professionals
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App Integration: Stay connected with the built-in Bluetooth receiver on our rowing machine; Wirelessly transmit all your workout data to your smartphone or tablet, transforming your training into an engaging and dynamic experience
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Rating is 4.8 out of 5
Sunny Health & Fitness Compact Folding Magnetic Rowing Machine with LCD Monitor, Bottle Holder, 43 Inch Slide Rail, 285 LB Max Weight - Synergy Power Motion - SF-RW5801
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ERGONOMIC FOOT PEDALS: Engage your quads as you propel your legs back and forth on the pivoting foot pedals with adjustable straps. Slip-resistant handlebar ensures secure grasp.
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OVERSIZED SEATING: Large padded seating smoothly glides along with the 43 slide rail inseam. The heavy-duty frame holds 285 LBS. While stabilizers promote stability.
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MAGNETIC TENSION: 16 Levels of tension ensure a versatile and challenging workout with virtually no maintenance.
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FOLDABLE ROWER: Convenient folding rower machine folds upright. Great for smaller in home gyms.
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SPM MONITOR: Check out all your fitness stats on the easy-to-read monitor displaying Scan, Time, Count, Calories, and Total Count.
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NON-SLIP HANDLEBARS: Grasp the foam padded handlebar and begin your rowing workout. Slip resistant handlebar ensures a secure grasp.
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Rating is 4.7 out of 5
Pooboo Magnetic Rowing Machine 360 LB Weight Capacity, Folding Rower with Combination Strength Exercise, Tablet Holder and Comfortable Seat Cushion, Rower for Home Use
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Smooth Quiet Rower: Magnetic resistance system ensures smooth and quiet rowing. It is a very good choice for indoor exercise. You will NEVER disturb your families or roommates. Convenient folding rowing machine folds upright. Great for home storege
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14 Levels Resistance: After January 8, 2023, Pooboo rowing machine Resistance has been updated, resistance increases again. The adjustable resistance ranges from level 1 to 14 is ideal for each training phase to enjoy your effective fitness experience
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Large Monitor and Tablet Holder: The easy-to-read LCD monitor clearly displays your distance,rowing time, count, total count and calories. Tablet holder angle adjustable for a better view
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Not Only A Rowing Machine: Combination Multifunctional-Trainer and rowing machine is our one-of-kind patented total body exercise machine. You can train your different body parts with this rowing machine, Target every muscle group, High-intensity workouts
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Full-Body Muscle Workout: Besides rowing exercise, you can also do BENT OVER ROWING, CABLE SQUAT, CABLE LATERAL RAISE, BICEPS CURL, CABLE FRONT RAISE ect, more exercise ways waiting for you to explore
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Support Bluetooth Connection to Fitness Apps: The monitor compatible with rowing machine app via bluetooth, more accurately monitor real-time exercise data, allowing you to adjust your exercise plan according to your exercise status
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Rating is 4.6 out of 5
Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Rowing Machine Rower with 8-Level Resistance, 53.4" Extended Slide Rail & Digital LCD Display - SF-RW5515
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【TOTAL BODY WORKOUT】Full-body Workout with Extended Slide Rails. Engage & strengthen legs, glutes, core, back, arms & shoulders. Rowing activates multiple muscles, promoting balanced development & strength. Unlock your potential.
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【EXTENDED SLIDE RAIL】At 48 inches in slide rail length, and 44 inches in inseam length, the SF-RW5515 can accommodate rowers up to 6 feet 8 inches tall.
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【SUPREME COMFORT】Designed for effectiveness without compromising in comfort, its ergonomically crafted cushioned seat allows for extensive cardiovascular rowing workouts maximizing calories burned.
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【CUSTOMIZABLE RESISTANCE】Achieve personalized intensity with our 8-level magnetic system. Easily adjust the knob for tailored difficulty, catering to all skill levels. Keep your workout impactful and challenging with this customizable feature.
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【SPACE-EFFICIENT DESIGN】Optimize your space with our Rowing Machine. Its smart design lets you save floor space by folding the sturdy steel rail upright when not in use. Easily store it in tight spots like closets or corners, perfect for home gyms.
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【SMOOTH & QUIET MAGNETIC RESISTANCE】Embrace the tranquility of our magnetic resistance system, offering silent and efficient workouts. Enjoy undisturbed exercise sessions, perfect for quiet environments, promoting wellbeing wherever you are.
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【INTERACTIVE DIGITAL MONITOR】Stay motivated and track your progress with a user-friendly Digital Monitor with a clear screen that displays Time, Count, Calorie, Total Count, or Scan. Monitoring performance and allowing improvement with useful feedback.
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Rating is 4.5 out of 5
Sunny Health & Fitness Compact Full Motion Rowing Machine, Full-Body Workout, Low-Impact, Extra-Long Rail, and 350 LB Weight Capacity – SF-RW5639
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【FULL MOTION WORKOUT】This rower activates multiple muscle groups, including your legs, back, core, and arms, for a comprehensive exercise thanks to 360-degree full motion arms that mimic natural rowing form for a complete range of movement.
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【350 LB WEIGHT CAPACITY & COMPACT】This rowing machine robustly accommodates all sizes yet its space-saving compact. The Digital Monitor tracks stroke rate, time, count, calories, and total strokes to simplify monitoring your rowing workout.
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【REAL ROWING SIMULATION】Feel like you're rowing on water with the SunnyFit App, this machine's realistic rowing simulation for a more engaging and effective home workout.
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【SMOOTH RESISTANCE】12 levels of smooth hydraulic resistance for your workout intensity and challenge yourself at any fitness level. Seamlessly increase or decrease the resistance with the turn of a knob to target different muscle groups.
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【COMFORT & STABILITY】Featuring an ergonomic padded seat with elevated, wider design for easy mounting, superior comfort, and no slipping during prolonged workouts. Paired with non-slip grip handlebars for added stability.
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Rating is 4.4 out of 5
Sunny Health & Fitness Smart Compact Adjustable Rowing Machine, 12 Levels Adjustable Resistance, Complete Body Workout, Connect via Bluetooth with Exclusive SunnyFit App - SF-RW1205SMART
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【FULL BODY WORKOUT】Complete body workout that engages all major muscle groups with the smooth, hydraulic resistance that targets legs, glutes, back, arms, shoulders, and core. The low-impact rowing motion works your whole body.
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【FREE CONNECTED APP】 Enjoy FREE access to the SunnyFit App with every Sunny Health & Fitness product—no membership fees! Dive into 1,000+ trainer-led workouts, explore 10,000+ virtual scenic tours, track progress, challenge others, and much more!
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【COMPACT & LIGHTWEIGHT】The portable design maximizes storage for convenience. The rower takes up minimal space for hassle-free storage when not in use. Weighing only 22.4 LB, it is light enough to carry from room to room or transport in a car.
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【SMOOTH RESISTANCE】12 levels of smooth hydraulic resistance for your workout intensity and challenge yourself at any fitness level. Seamlessly increase or decrease the resistance with the turn of a knob to target different muscle groups.
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【INTEGRATED DEVICE HOLDER】A convenient spot to securely hold your phone, allowing you to stay motivated and entertained during your workout while monitoring your progress on the digital display.
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【QUICK & EASY ASSEMBLY】Made to be user-friendly in operation and assembling. No complicated installation or setup required, simply attach the stabilizer bars, seat, foot pedals, and monitor mount with the included instructions. Assembling time: less than 5 minutes.
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Rating is 4.3 out of 5
Feierdun Compact Adjustable Rowing Machine for Home 300LBS Weight Capacity with 12 Levels of Resistance for Complete Body Workouts Foldable Hydraulic Rower for Home
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【Full Body Workout】 The Feierdun Rowing Machine offers a complete body workout that targets legs, glutes, back, arms, shoulders, and core with smooth, hydraulic resistance. The low-impact rowing motion engages your entire body for maximum results.
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【Compact & Portable】 The compact and portable design maximizes storage space for easy, hassle-free storage. Weighing only 22.4 lbs, it’s lightweight enough to move from room to room or transport in your car, perfect for workouts anywhere.
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【Ergonomic Design】 The ergonomic design of the seat and track range ensures maximum comfort, fitting your body’s natural movement. The machine reduces stress on the back and knees, making it perfect for long-term use.
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【Quick & Easy Assembly】 Feierdun Rowing Machine is designed for easy setup. No complicated installation—simply follow the instructions to attach the stabilizer bars, seat, foot pedals, and monitor mount in under 5 minutes.
What is air rowing resistance?
Air rowing resistance is a type of resistance mechanism used in rowing machines, also known as ergometers or ergs. This resistance is generated by a flywheel with fan blades attached; as you pull the handle, it spins the flywheel, and the blades push against the air to create resistance. The faster and harder you row, the more resistance is created, mimicking the feel of rowing on water.
The key characteristics of air rowing resistance include:
- Variable Resistance: Resistance automatically adjusts to the user's effort. The harder you row, the more resistance is generated, allowing for a more personalized workout.
- Smooth and Natural Feel: Many users find air rowing to have a smooth and natural feel similar to rowing on water, which is why these machines are popular among athletes, particularly rowers.
- Noise Level: Air rowers tend to be noisier compared to magnetic rowers because the movement of the fan blades creates sound. However, this is usually a white noise that doesn't disturb most users.
- Maintenance: Generally, air rowing machines require minimal maintenance, as they rely on simple mechanical parts without complex electronic systems.
- Dynamic Workout: The ability to control the intensity with your effort makes air rowers suitable for all fitness levels, from beginners to advanced athletes.
Overall, air rowing resistance offers a challenging, effective, and engaging workout experience, which is ideal for cardiovascular fitness, muscular endurance, and full-body conditioning.
What is a rowing machine ergometer?
A rowing machine ergometer, often simply called an "erg" or "ergometer," is a fitness device that simulates the action of rowing on water. It is used to provide a full-body cardiovascular workout, improve rowing technique, and measure the work output of the user.
Key features of a rowing machine ergometer typically include:
- Flywheel or Water Wheel: This part creates resistance as you pull on the handle. The resistance can often be adjusted to simulate different rowing conditions.
- Handle: Connected to the flywheel, the handle is pulled back to imitate the rowing action.
- Slide Rail: The seat is mounted on a rail, allowing it to slide back and forth as you row, working your leg muscles.
- Footrests: These are where you secure your feet to push off as you pull the handle.
- Performance Monitor: Most modern rowing machines include a display that tracks metrics such as time, distance, stroke rate, and calories burned, allowing users to measure their performance.
Rowing machines are popular in both home gyms and fitness centers due to their efficiency in providing a low-impact workout that engages multiple muscle groups, including the legs, back, core, and arms. They are also used by competitive rowers for training and maintaining fitness during the off-season.
How to store a rowing machine efficiently?
Storing a rowing machine efficiently requires careful consideration to maximize space and protect the equipment. Here are some steps to ensure efficient storage:
- Foldable Options: If your rowing machine is foldable, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to fold it. Many models are designed to save space when not in use.
- Vertical Storage: Some rowing machines can be stored vertically. If your model supports this, it can significantly reduce the floor space required.
- Designated Space: Choose a specific area for the rowing machine that doesn't interfere with high-traffic areas in your home. Look for unused spaces like a corner in a room or a spare section in a basement or garage.
- Protective Cover: Use a protective cover to keep dust and moisture off the machine, especially if stored in a less frequented area like a garage or basement.
- Regular Maintenance: Before storing, clean the machine to remove sweat or dust, tighten any loose parts, and lubricate the chain or mechanisms as needed. This prevents rust and ensures it’s in good working order when you use it next.
- Nearby Accessibility: Ensure that the rowing machine is easily accessible while stored, so you can quickly set it up for use without much hassle.
- Lift Carefully: If lifting or moving the machine, do so carefully to prevent injury and damage to the machine or surroundings.
- Use Vertical Wall Racks: If applicable, consider wall racks designed to hold rowing machines or similar equipment to keep the floor space clear.
By following these steps, you can efficiently store your rowing machine while maintaining ease of access and protecting the equipment.
