This buying guide explains precisely everything you need to know to buy the best rowing machine, also known as a rowing machine.
Find out how to choose the home tool that best suits your needs. For example, the rowing machine can train the whole body, improving cardiovascular function.
Table of Contents
How much space do you have available for your rowing machine?
It seems obvious, but knowing where to install the rowing machine and how much space you have available in the house is essential. What would happen if you spent a lot of time looking for the right tool for your needs but would find it too big? You would only have wasted many hours (which you could have spent more productively).
To prevent all of this from happening, check this out first. A standard home rowing machine has a footprint similar to a love seat. You can use this information to calculate your exercise space. Also, you should know that hydraulic piston rowing machines are the ones that take up less space.
At the same time, those with water or air resistance are the largest. Thus, once you have determined the available area, you can skim all the market models.
How much does a rowing machine cost?
As I have said several times, dozens and dozens of rowing machines are on the market. Prices can vary from a minimum of $100 to a maximum of 3,000 and more! Understanding how much you want to spend on a rowing machine will help you drastically reduce the number of models to choose from.
Respecting your budget is also very important, as it will help you avoid overspending just because you suddenly fell in love with the “model most technologically advanced on the market!”
When determining your budget, remember that the more you spend, the better the quality of the product, like anything else. So how much does a rowing machine cost? It depends!
Many negative reviews about a low-end product come from users who have bought a cheap rowing machine, expecting a professional rowing machine’s performance.
Unfortunately, you get what you pay for rowing machines (and beyond)! If you don’t know how to determine your budget, here is a quick estimate to let you know what you will bring home based on the money you spend.
- Up to $400- Entry-level rowing machine
- From $400 to $700 – Mid-level rowing machine
- Over $700 – High-level rowing machine
Remember that this is just a rule of thumb because many excellent rowing machines are in the first two classes. Some of our favorite rowing machines are part of the Entry Level category, but to find out, just read on.
How to Use the Rowing Machine?
Given that you will probably use the rowing machine to train, there may be other aspects that have not yet occurred to your mind. First, will it be used at home or in a gym? All indoor rowing machines are suitable for Home Fitness, but not all are suitable for gyms, spas, and boat sheds.
For this reason, if you intend to use the rowing machine, any rowing machine you choose will do. However, if you plan to use it in a commercial activity, you must choose a tool for heavy use. Also, consider the number of people who will use it.
If there are 5 of you in the family and you plan to use it intensively, you should opt for a semi-commercial model. The ideal models for intensive use are those with water or air resistance. Also, remember that you can search for video tutorials on YouTube to learn how to use the rowing machine.
Do you want to simulate the row on the water?
If you love to row on water and want to buy a rowing machine for the home, which allows you to train even when it is impossible to do it outdoors, you must opt for a model that best simulates rowing the water.
The movement must be as realistic as possible, and the resistance variable must imitate a boat in the water. Most off-season rowing machines choose air or water-resistance rowing machines, which we’ll discuss in a few lines.
Should you share your professional rowing machine?
If you are not the only person who will use the rowing machine, we recommend purchasing a model with variable resistance to adapt to the level of all who will use it. Also, remember that each commercially available tool has a different weight and height capacity.
Make sure you choose a rowing machine suitable for all who will use it. You can also find small or large monitors on the more advanced models, which can set different user profiles and specific training programs for each.
Information on the different types of resistance
We generally find four types of rowing machines on the market, depending on the resistance they mount. Air, hydraulic, magnetic, and water piston. Each type of resistance has unique characteristics, along with advantages and disadvantages.
Knowing the different types of resistance allows you to understand how your next training device works. Also, knowing your favorite type can drastically decrease the number of rowing machines to choose from. For example, there are few possibilities if you want air resistance rowing machines but spend less than $400.
Indeed, the choice of budget and resistance are two key elements to remember in the ” guide to buying the best rowing machines for your needs. ” Here is a summary of each type of resistance:
- Air resistance. This is the most common type of resistance in gyms or wellness centers. The user’s rowing intensity determines the resistance level. More intensity equals greater resistance and vice versa. It is also one of the noisiest models on the market, but the oars’ movement is quite fluid and respectful of the real movement of the blades in the water.
- Hydraulic piston resistance. This is the most compact rowing machine that is easy to store when not in use. The resistance is usually adjustable, and the hydraulic pistons are generally quiet. It is also the cheapest type of resistance of all.
- Magnetic resistance. These are the quietest rowing machines available on the market. The magnetic resistor is designed so that it does not make any noise. As a result, movement is smooth, and the resistance level is usually adjustable. Unlike the other two models, the resistance level is generally lower than the water/air resistance, but there is still an excellent resistance level when the rowing is slow.
- Water resistance. These rowing machines provide the closest rowing experience to the real thing. They are similar to air because the resistance level is linked to the user’s stroke intensity. The noise level is quite high but never annoying. They are generally the most expensive models available on the market.
Which rowing machine to choose from? Analyze models on the market
When you come to this section, you should already know the rowing machine you are most interested in buying. You should know the type of resistance that best suits your needs and the price range that interests you.
The next step will be to read reviews and information on all the models that have caught your attention the most so that you can finally choose your favorite rowing machine according to your possibilities. When reading our reviews, it will be essential to focus on all the most important features you are looking for in a rowing machine.
It would help if you asked yourself questions about the quality of the materials used, the availability of an onboard monitor/computer, which can register one or more users and provide an adequate training program, comfort, seat, handlebars, and much more. Are you ready? Then we’re almost there!
The Best Rowing Machines
Below you will find the most interesting offers on the market, carefully analyzed to help you find the right rowing machine.
Product prices and availability are subject to change. Therefore, any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to purchasing any products.