When you’re looking for low-intensity, high-impact exercise at home, the rowing machine is your go-to choice. Indoor rowing machines (also called ergometers, or “ergs” for short) provide total body conditioning for novices and experts alike while placing minimal stress on joints. “Through different parts of the rowing movement, your upper body, core and lower body (glutes and quads) are all activated and engaged,” says Olympic rower, sports consultant and Hydrow athlete Aisyah Rafaee ) previously said shape.
Of course, a rowing machine is a big deal, both literally and figuratively. Even budget-friendly options can be expensive, and all have relatively large footprints (especially compared to smaller devices like walking mats). If you are interested in a device, then you need to choose a great one. To find the best rowing machines, we tested all the brands you’ve heard of (and maybe some you’ve never heard of). After nearly 2,000 hours of exercise, here are the best rowing machines.
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Resistor type: Magnetism | aspect: 80 inches long x 19 inches wide x 43 inches high | Membership required? No
Hydrow’s Wave Rower delivers a great rowing experience with its smooth, consistent magnetic resistance, stable seat setup, and easy-to-adjust settings. But its courses are the real standouts. Each session shows the instructor rowing in open water, rather than in a gym environment, and includes a variety of workout types, from long endurance rows to shorter HIIT sprints. You can also take part in after-hours classes including yoga, Pilates and strength training. If you don’t want to pay the monthly fee, you can use Boater’s “Just Row” setting, which provides metrics but not guidance (or scenic river views).
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Made from gorgeous Appalachian cherry wood
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Use water to resist
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Weight limit 500 pounds
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No monthly membership required
Resistor type: water | aspect: 86 inches long x 23 inches wide x 40 inches high | Membership required? No
The Ergatta rower is designed to turn heads. It’s made from Appalachian cherry wood and features a stylish 17.3-inch screen and a clear plastic barrel that holds water to provide resistance. (You can add water yourself when it arrives.) Its weight limit is 500 pounds, the highest of any rower we’ve tested. Its seat is also slightly wider than other rowers, which may help it accommodate larger bodies. For a monthly membership fee, you gain access to game-based workouts calibrated to your fitness level. We noticed that the handle is shorter than others, but that’s a small price to pay for one of the best waterproof rowing machines we could find.
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Membership includes access to Peloton’s range of fitness classes
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23.8-inch screen displays real-time form assistance
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“Just Row” feature does not require membership
Resistor type: Magnetism | aspect: 7’10” L x 24″ W x 46.3″ H | Membership required? No
It’s no surprise that Peloton’s rowing machines come with top-notch instruction—from the brand’s famously charismatic, inspiring instructors and, yes, the machines themselves. Its large 23.8-inch screen displays real-time posture assistance, which will remind you if your rowing posture is incorrect and how to adjust to fix it. Its membership provides access to Peloton’s row, bike, treadmill and off-machine classes as well as form assist features, but you can use the “Just Row” feature without a membership. This allows you to start your workout and displays metrics such as stroke rate, distance, pace and output. The rower feels stable and the handles are especially comfortable. It delivers consistently smooth torque, and we didn’t feel any judder or inconsistent movement as we rowed.
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Resistor type: Magnetism | aspect: 7’10” L x 24″ W | Membership required? No
If you just want to row without an instructor (or have to pay a monthly fee), the YOSUDA rower may be your best choice. It has a simple analog display that shows row time, stroke count, and estimated calories burned, with no audio or video. It doesn’t record your past workouts. You can adjust the magnetic resistance using a knob on the front of the machine, but we noticed that even the highest resistance might feel too easy for experienced rowers. It’s foldable so it’s easy to store, and the lack of a screen means it takes up less space than other rowing machines.
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Resistor type: air and Magnetism | aspect: 84 inches long x 27 inches wide x 48 inches high | Membership required? No
Want to watch Netflix or Hulu, Disney+, Prime Video, YouTube or Spotify while you work out? Aviron’s Strong Series rowing machines can meet your needs. In addition to the gamification and trainer-led classes that come with your monthly subscription, you can use any of the streaming services mentioned above to entertain yourself while you sweat. Most Aviron workouts are structured like a video game, but you can also join a class led by a rowing instructor. We found the front end of the rower to be a bit bulky. Beyond that, we were impressed with the quality, and it comes with customizable features that let you adjust the footrests and seat width to suit your body shape.
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Optional scenic boating activity with an expert instructor
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Track distance, stroke count, total time, time remaining and more
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No membership required
Resistor type: Air and Magnetism | aspect: 82 inches long x 22 inches wide x 54 inches | Membership required? No
Ever wanted to paddle the English Channel? What about open water in Tahiti? NordicTrack RW900 makes it possible. With a monthly iFit subscription, you can watch classes filmed in scenic water towns around the world. (You can also use the rowing machine’s “Manual Row” setting without an iFit membership.) Like Hydrow, classes are led by professional-level athletes, so you can be sure you’re seeing good form. In each row, you’ll see the distance in meters, strokes per minute, split time per 500 meters, total time or time remaining in the exercise, and estimated calorie burn. When you take a class, you can use a setting that automatically changes resistance when prompted by your instructor, so you can change the difficulty level of the machine without having to lift a finger.
Styling/Tatiana Kennedy
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Resistor type: Magnetism| aspect: 84 L x 21 W x 45 H inches | Membership required? No
Of course, touch screens and guided lessons are great. But rowing machines are all about rowing—if you’re looking for a piece of equipment that can handle rowing functions without too many bells and whistles, look no further than the Echelon Row. It has the same frame as the Row-S and many of the same specs and features, including 32 levels of magnetic resistance and a Bluetooth handle that lets you change resistance without stopping motion. The only difference is that it doesn’t have a touch screen. Instead, it has a rotating console that can accommodate your smartphone or tablet if you want to stream classes from Echelon (or any other workout app). We’d love it if Echelon added a small analog console to track basic metrics like meters and strokes per minute – like now, you can’t see any stats while rowing.
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Resistor type: Water and Magnetism | aspect: 76.8 L x 23.6 W x 37.4 H inches | Membership required? No
The Merach Q5 is powered by water and 16 levels of magnetic resistance. This results in a unique feel unlike almost any other rower, but still provides the same effective full-body exercise. It’s also very quiet, especially for boaters using water. The Q5 doesn’t have a screen, but it does have a console that can accommodate a smartphone or tablet. This lets you row without guidance, or take a guided class with Merach’s free workout app. It also has a small screen on the front of the machine that displays the time you are rowing.
We also tested
this Echelon Row-S There are plenty of features to choose from: 32 levels of magnetic resistance, streaming fitness classes that play on a 22-inch touch screen, and a bifold design that easily stows away when not in use. We were excited to try out its Bluetooth-powered handlebars, but ultimately found the “feature” disappointing. An easy-to-operate button on the bottom of the handlebar allows you to control resistance while rowing, meaning you can switch difficulty up or down with your thumb without having to loosen your grip. Sounds great in theory, but in practice the location of the buttons means they often hit our sternum and change resistance when we don’t want it to.
Knowledge about rowing machines
- benefit: Rowing provides strength and aerobic training. Additionally, it uses 86% of the muscles in your body, including your core, quads, hamstrings, and lats. Rowing is also a great way to improve your aerobic capacity in a relatively short period of time because rowing requires repetitive, full-body movements. And, although rowing activates most muscles, its impact is relatively small. The smooth, flowing motion of rowing is less damaging to your joints than the jumping and bouncing required in exercises like running and HIIT.
- Resistance: Home rowing machines use different types of resistance. Magnetic resistance rowers use magnets that correspond to an internal flywheel. As you adjust the machine, the resistance changes, causing the magnet to move closer or further away from the flywheel, creating more or less tension. Water rowing provides the closest home experience to paddling on an open river or lake, using a water tank with a paddle attached to the rower’s handlebars. Finally, air resistance rowers use a fan at the front of the rower that contains a flywheel that attaches to the rower’s handlebars. When you pull on the handlebars, the fan blades spin, creating resistance (and a little breeze) with each stroke.
How to use a rowing machine
Unlike running or biking, rowing is not necessarily an experience that most of us have. This means the device may not feel intuitive the first time you use it. But once you practice proper form (which, we should note, is crucial to reaping the benefits of rowing), it starts to get easier.
Here’s an overview of the perfect line:
- this”catch“: As the first step in rowing, place your feet flat, knees bent, calves perpendicular to the floor, and hold the handlebars with both hands shoulder-width apart. Your torso should be upright but not stiff, and your shoulders should be relaxed.
- this”drive“: This is the main driving force of the industry. Start by pushing your legs out and then leaning back. At the same time, you engage your core and pull your hands toward your chest to perform a rowing motion. Once your legs are straight and your arms are pulled up to your chest, twist by moving your hands closer to your feet, leaning your torso back and bending your legs. To keep it simple, repeat this mantra in your head: “Legs, core, arms, arms, core, legs.” (This is why rowing is a full-body exercise.)
- this”Finish”: In this position, your legs will be straight and the rowing handles are against your sternum. Your back should be slightly tilted away from the machine and your feet should be firmly planted.
Why trust shapes
Sara Hendricks is a lifelong fitness enthusiast and the former health and fitness editor for Reviewed, USA TODAY’s product review site. Sara has been testing, reviewing, and writing about home fitness equipment since 2020, covering treadmills, exercise bikes, fitness apps, and rowing machines. Her experience in the home exercise space allows her to be well versed in the pros and cons of various types of machines and what’s best for different people based on lifestyle, budget, and habits. Thanks to Sarah’s research, testing and some Orange Theory lessons, she is now a new rowing enthusiast too.
