Best rowing machines: the top indoor rowers to suit every fitness need

The best rowing machines prove you will not need a gym for a full-body workout. You can improve your cardiovascular fitness and strength by training your arms, back, legs, and abs. Our pick of the best rowing machines includes machines for all budgets and room sizes. 

When it comes to buying a rowing machine for your home, think about how often you might use it and what fitness goals you want to achieve. 

Most of the best rowing machines can track speed, distance, and potential calories burned and will work with your smartphone – these make use of virtual rowing games to help motivate you if you’re having one of those days. 

Continue reading below to find out which of the best rowing machines is right for you! 

The best rowing machines: 5 best buys to invest in

Some fold-up rowers can be a bit scrooge-like when it comes to features, not this one. 

The first thing you’ll notice about the NordicTrack RW900 Folding Rowing Machine is the giant 22-inch touchscreen. The full-color display shows your workout data, including everything from strokes per minute, total strokes, calories burnt, and distance. 

The screen also shows 30 built-in workouts led by coaches who’ll guide you through virtual lakes around the world. 

NordicTrack RW900 also works with iFit, so you can enjoy many more workouts to suit your specific workout routine. 

Expect a smooth rowing experience as good (if not better) than most machines you’ll find in some gyms. A silent magnetic resistance offers 26 levels of difficulty, or at the touch of a button, you can use ten levels of manually adjustable air resistance for more of a challenge.

Another one of the best rowing machines — that provide a space-saving fold-up design with lots of features — is this one. 

The ProForm 7500 Rower includes 24 levels of silent magnetic resistance and a smaller 5-inch display that shows all of your most important workout stats. 

Here, you will enjoy thousands of workouts too, but for this feature, you will need to insert a tablet to enjoy virtual rowing sessions around the world on lakes and rivers found outside in the real world. 

Plus, the built-in speakers help you get the most from this machine, or you can use them to listen to your home gym playlist.

TechnoGym is a name you’ll find in many gyms around the country, so you can assume the TechnoGym SkillRow is a top-quality bit of kit. 

The SkillRow is well suited to those who take their fitness (and rowing), thanks to the ten levels of air resistance rowing or three additional power mode levels. 

TechnoGym says its Aquafeel technology makes it feel as if you’re rowing in water, as the resistance gradually increases in a fluid motion to avoid a backlash effect on your lower back. 

A control hub shows all your rowing stats, such as speed, distance, and calories. 

If you want more features: dock your phone and enjoy virtual training sessions, real-time feedback on your performance, and races against other people’s best times in fun yet competitive racing challenges for an extra bit of motivation.

Another brand you’ll find in gyms when it comes to the best rowing machines?

The Concept2 Model D — and forewarning: it doesn’t look as fancy as some of the other rowing machines on our list, but you’re still getting a top-notch, reliable rower that wouldn’t look out of place in any professional gym. 

Here, the air resistance technology provides a smooth rowing-inspired approach, while the rower in itself is dead-easy to use. 

Just strap yourself in and select ‘Just row’ from the menu or choose from a handful of workouts. The Concept2 Model D is also compatible with a range of applications. Begin by attaching your phone, opening an application up, and watch the stat-tracking begin. 

Lastly, the rower can be tucked away when not in use, so it won’t always take up space in your home.

If you’re on the fence about the invest one of the best rowing machines that will cost you, go rowing machine go for an affordable manual rower. 

Sunny Health and Fitness SF-RW1205 Rowing machine will not give you the fancy features such as virtual training sessions, but you will get 12 levels of resistance, a padded seat, anti-slip footplates, and non-grip handlebars. You can even set goals on the digital monitor. 

You’ll still get an excellent workout for your upper and lower body, so it’s a sensational buy when first breaking into the world of rowers. 

Plus, you can always upgrade to one of the other models on our list in the future.

• See: Best treadmills – the top machines to get you running and walking in the comfort of your home
  

How to know you've found one of the best rowing machines?

When shopping for the best rowing machines, there are three things to consider: how much space your home has, how often you will use the rowing machine, and what resistance are you looking for in a rower?  

How much space do you have for a rowing machine? 

Many home rowing machines fold up or store vertically – or both – to help you save floor space when the rower is not in use. If you are in an apartment setting, this can save you some vital floor space, too.

How often will you use your rowing machine? 

The more frequently you plan to use your rowing machine, the more crucial durability becomes. Although buying a rower for only $200 or so might seem like a bargain up front, this type of ultra-budget machine often won't stand up to repeated, heavy use – leaving you with the cost of buying a replacement. 

If you're going to be a frequent rower, you'll often save money in the end if shopping with durability and longevity in mind.

How to choose a resistance type 

Selecting one of the best rowing machines contingent on resistance (and resistance only) has pros and cons. 

For the most realistic workout, some machines use actual drums of water, replicating the feeling of dragging oars through the water. 

While other rowers will give you a high-intense workout that your body will thank you for (later). It's both good and bad here.