The 7 Best Rowing Machines of 2025, Tested by Fitness Experts

Over the previous three years, now we salvage tested every most essential rower in the marketplace, yet the Concept2 RowErg aloof reigns supreme. Its fine quality construction, easy assembly, and incredibly tender dart make the RowErg the one in its class. And at this worth level, we boom it supplies quite a lot of the same capabilities because the one rowing machines that worth twice as extraordinary.

Primarily, this dwelling fitness center gear is an swap traditional old by Crossfit and quite a lot of excessive-profile competitions. Our fitness director Ebenezer Samuel, C.S.C.S., says right here’s his slide-to rowing machine because it will blast your abs, glutes, and abet while redlining your coronary heart price. “It is constructed for either lengthy cardio exercises, or vicious excessive-depth lessons,” says Samuel.

The RowErg has a sturdy construction that would perchance red meat up folks up to 500 pounds. Our editors had been utilizing the RowErg in their dwelling gyms for years now, and found that it aloof works as true as unusual. We furthermore be pleased the variable resistance flywheel, which affords a relentless scenario. Our fitness editors express this just is extremely critical for excessive quantity utilize and experienced rowers.

It is easy to assemble, too. In our expertise developing this rower, all it takes is around 20 minutes, ideally two folks, and minimal tools or hardware (correct eight screws are required). Plus, it separates into two objects for easy storage, making it deal for folks with smaller dwelling fitness center space ups.

Yes, it lacks trim connectivity and the mammoth handsome LED screens hiss in more fresh models esteem the Hydrow, but whenever you happen to are buying for a difficult-as-nails machine that would perchance retain with your hardest exercises, the RowErg delivers the definitive dwelling rowing expertise. That’s the reason or no longer it is our pick for the one rowing machine of 2025.

Read extra: Handiest Cardio Machines

“If I can’t utilize a Concept2, right here’s my slide-to,” says Samuel. The Hydrow Wave is a extra streamlined and slimmed-down model of Hydrow’s fashioned Rower Connected Rowing Machine—and a 2022 Men’s Properly being Home Gym Awards winner. It is miles a trim machine with an HD masks that capabilities immersive guided exercises to recreate a right-world rowing expertise. And after utilizing the Wave Rower for over a twelve months now, we can attest that it delivers on that promise.

The electromagnetic resistance is extremely tender and simple, and Hydrow’s armada of on-inquire lessons are surprisingly practical. “It feels as whenever you happen to are out on the water, total with videos shot on lakes and rivers,” says Samuel. “The cease result: a serene row seat.” Whereas other cardio machines now we salvage tested got repetitive after about a weeks of utilize, Hydrow’s video capabilities continuously kept issues attention-grabbing.

This rower fits without effort in my basement training recount, and can arise for storage. Now now not only does it fold, but it looks to be true folded up. Despite the compact size, now we salvage found the Wave is furthermore SUPER-sturdy: I can slide laborious on this rower for sprints, or take on longer intervals without it struggling to retain.

We manufacture wish this rower had a free mode to allow users to salvage their own exercises. Despite that, right here’s the one magnetic resistance rowing expertise in the marketplace. Whereas you slay up somebody who cares about the principle points and desires to learn from experts, right here’s the one pick for you.

Read More: The Handiest Rowing Machines Under $500

Most incessantly extra effective is correct better. The made-in-the-USA manufacture takes issues abet to fundamentals with a vaguely traditional beautiful of stained ash wood. There would possibly be rarely this kind of thing as a denying that in sure properties the beautiful of a wood water rower is correct superior. This furthermore makes it concept to be some of the heavy-responsibility machines on this checklist, supporting users up to 700 pounds.

We found that the used water-essentially based fully mostly flywheel no longer only looks to be mountainous, but does a incredible job of recreating the texture of rowing through right water. Customers can fully customise the resistance by filling the water tank with roughly water, which is able to make a mess, but is rarely any longer advanced to manufacture. Take into story you would perchance furthermore must treat the water on a consistent basis so it doesn’t salvage moldy.

At around $1,100, this model lacks the fancier gadgetry of the pricier models on this checklist. So whenever you happen to don’t depend intently on video lessons or digital instructors to your motivation then it will establish you an valid quantity by going with this extra effective machine. Mute, the constructed-in performance song tracks the total essentials.

The absence of a masks furthermore methodology that this half of gear can also furthermore be be folded exact and saved less complicated than most, which methodology or no longer it is ideal for placing away in closets or corners. For anyone buying for a sturdy, handsome rower without needless bells and whistles at an valid worth, right here’s your pick.

The cease-rated Ergatta Rower (a Men’s Properly being Properly being Awards Winner) is all performance, total with sport-essentially based fully mostly exercises that scenario you each day. It is the most “gamified” water-essentially based fully mostly rowing machine on this checklist with a lengthy checklist of digital workout capabilities to make a choice out from. We took it for a lumber with head-to-head races, excessive-depth persistence exercises, and aim-essentially based fully mostly gamified training plans to salvage the total expertise.

We found right here’s concept to be one of the smoothest water rowers now we salvage old, and the video games are ample to possess issues enjoyable and consuming even when doing a standard workout. The sport-essentially based fully mostly exercises felt esteem a extraordinary wished changeup from traditional laborious exercises on a Concept2, and are the truth is true for dialing in manufacture.

It furthermore supplies studio class exercises led by instructors from CityRow, if that’s extra your bustle. In phrases of the frame, the lone blueprint back is that the toes are positioned rather extra intently than we desire. However on the plus facet, rolling this model and folding it is easy. Now now not only that, but it looks to be frigid even when folded up against the wall.

The warm cherry wood feels extremely sturdy and supplies the rower a swish retro-trendy beautiful that elevated the see of our dwelling fitness center dwelling. It is amongst the priciest rowing machines on this checklist, but whenever you happen to are in the marketplace for a high-of-the-line rower that doubles as a dwelling accessory, or no longer it is laborious to beat.

Read extra: Handiest Rowing Gloves

Whether or no longer you are competing live against your friends, searching to out-row world-class athletes, and even being chased by a deadly Kraken, the Solid Series Rower is a repair to usual rowing exercises. With the exception of the basics (esteem tracking performance stats), a huge and crisp definition 22-proceed touchscreen lets in for streaming express from Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, High Video, Spotify, and YouTube, as properly as a library of interactive, performance-essentially based fully mostly video video games.

The tech used to be the truth is developed by sport designers utilizing sport psychology, with the singular aim of encouraging rowing performance. The though-provoking video games are immersive and simple to learn, and incentivize players to enlarge output in creative ways.

With the exception of the gamified perks, one most essential just of this machine is its 20-proceed elevated seat, which makes it easy for inexperienced persons, older folks, and folks with restricted mobility to salvage on and off the machine. It is miles rarely as low to the bottom as extra used rowing machines, and is on account of this fact extra accessible for some folks.

The foot pedals are furthermore extra huge-space and bigger than found on most rowers, which makes it the truth is feel extra accessible for a unfold of users. For higher those that in most cases the truth is feel crammed or awkward on a standard machine, right here’s for you. However that does not imply it takes up extra room. Primarily, this rower can also furthermore be flipped exact without effort and saved with out a wall mount.

Read extra: Exercise to Enhance Your Rowing

Lifestyles Properly being machines are hiss in fitness golf equipment around the arena. And for true motive: they’re easy to utilize, newbie-friendly, actual for superior rowers, and constructed to closing. Their most modern product, the Warmth Row is rarely any exception. It is moderately heavy at 108 pounds when crammed with water, and folds in half without effort to stow away when no longer in utilize.

First off, allow me to rave rather bit about the foot straps on this Warmth Row. I’ve secured myself into a preference of rowers over time, and on the total it in most cases is rather unhurried to salvage in or out. That can the truth is throw a wrench into your workout, especially whenever you happen to are having a ask to possess the walk up. These straps are extremely easy to ratchet into, and you would perchance well kick into your training in an instant. And whenever you are performed, a immediate flick of the wrist sets you free to your subsequent exercise.

Not like one of the most extra excessive-tech models we tested, the easy stripped down manufacture delivers ultra-tender resistance without any finicky gadgetry. Changing the resistance is mountainous easy and streamlined, with a knob that turns 300 degrees, and all it is most life like to manufacture is bend forward to flip it up to that subsequent effort.

Given the roughly $1,700 worth impress, we’re rather disenchanted that this model lacks a constructed-in touchscreen hiss. Nonetheless, for my half I revel in no longer having a huge hiss infront of my face during my workout. Every person has a phone or an iPad, with the total lessons or coaching that you want. Attempting to secure a training app? Test out our memoir on the one fitness apps to utilize now.

Because right here’s another rower with out a masks, it stores exact without effort. That is a solid pick for anyone who is buying for something rather extra solid than the Concept2, but have to now not searching for any gimmicky expertise.

Men’s Properly being fitness author and energy coach David Otey, C.S.C.S., took the Peloton Row for a lumber and confirmed that it’s space to give every rower on this checklist—even the most goated rowing machines—a flee for their money.

Otey and MH fitness editors found both the seat and foot pedals extremely happy, and the foot strap stable yet easy to adjust with a single hand. Otey describes the strap’s pull as “silky tender” without the tense catching hiss in lesser rowers. We found that the electrically managed resistance furthermore makes for tell-easy operation.

However the categorical celebrity is rarely any longer its frame, “Peloton’s only asset is rarely any longer its hardware; or no longer it is a mountainous software firm,” says Otey. The tech on this machine delivers, with a Form Assist just that would perchance relieve virtually any stage rower cease better manufacture as they row.

It’s no longer ideal, nonetheless. Otey notes that its most apparent shortcoming is the lack of an adjustable handbook mode. That is a stark incompatibility from many handbook rowers, which shows Peloton is extra assured in their programming and instructors than your ability to acquire your own exercises.

The rower can also furthermore be without effort saved vertically against a wall, but requires an anchor to transfer into the wall for safety. That is ideal for any rowers buying for mountainous lessons and a properly-constructed machine, especially if they are already Peloton followers.

Read extra: Peloton Rower Overview

How to Exercise an Indoor Rowing Machine

Our fitness experts be pleased indoor machines for a ton of causes. However the largest one is how easy and accessible they are for enthusiasts of any fitness stage. Seriously, there’s no longer extraordinary extra to utilizing one than merely sitting down and pulling—rinse and repeat. However esteem all workout machine, there is a actual methodology and a noxious methodology. The only real methodology to no longer only maximize your performance and rowing gains but furthermore to keep faraway from damage is to note the actual rowing procedure.

Initiate by sitting squarely on the seat with your tailbone pointing at once into the center. Apply your rowing stroke through every of these four phases, paying cautious consideration to your posture and manufacture:

The Procure

To commence, your shins should always be perpendicular to the bottom (i.e., vertical). Lengthen your palms fully—with a level of curiosity to your triceps—and snatch the rower’s deal with. Consider of your core, and a small lean your torso forward.

The Pressure

Whereas preserving your palms straight, power throughout the Pressure section with your leg muscle groups, pushing your body (and the seat) smoothly faraway from the footplates. Elevate out by pulling the deal with into your abdominal and leaning abet.

The Elevate out

Despite the name, you’re no longer moderately “done.” On this section, your elbows should always be curved and the deal with tucked into the decrease section of your chest. Exercise your core to stabilize your torso, preserving a runt angle against the rowing machine.

The Recovery

Consider of your manufacture while returning to the starting recount on this section. Straighten your palms through the use of your triceps. A little bit of lean your torso forward. Bend your legs and smoothly roam your butt and the seat down the rail of the rowing machine.

Once abet in the starting recount, repeat the next stroke by starting attach with the Pressure section again.

Why Purchase an Indoor Rowing Machine?

Rowing is a reach-ideal exercise, and an valid indoor rowing machine guarantees a low-affect, full-body workout with the convenience of a single software. “Since rowing promotes enhancements to both your muscular energy and cardiovascular energy, you salvage two for one,” says Tuttle. She outlines four particular the rationalization why you would perchance well also aloof be pleased a rowing machine:

Rowing Is a Big Warmup

“A actual warmup is key to having a successful workout; it will also aloof put together your coronary heart, muscle groups, joints, and mind for the more challenging efforts to procedure.” Because it’s so low-affect, it’s a mountainous gradual warm-up, even if rowing isn’t your final program aim on a given day.

Rowing Provides Selection

Because rowing is tremendously decrease affect than most excessive-depth exercises esteem operating, it’s a long way less complicated to salvage better between exercises. Ideally, a rowing machine will relieve add selection to your workout days.

A Moral Row Can Be Pure Zen

Because indoor rowing contains fewer external stimuli than commence air actions, it will also furthermore be extremely meditative. Tuttle is of the same opinion: “Once warm and a happy rhythm has been established, you would perchance well shut your eyes, connect your breath to your body, and merely revel in the reward of movement.”

Rowing Is a Big Finisher

Hardcore workout lessons on the total maintain an explosive raise out. Hopping to your rowing machine reach the cease of your routine is a mountainous methodology to cap issues off. “It is laborious to slide up an valid 5- to 10-minute lengthy EMOM (Every Minute On the Minute) row 100 to 200 meters, relying upon your fitness and ability stage,” says Tuttle. “Every effort should always be about 90 percent max depth and your aim is to raise out with 20 seconds or extra to salvage better sooner than the tip of the next minute.”

Is an Exercise Bike or Rowing Machine Handiest for Me?

If a low-affect cardio machine is what you are buying for, or no longer it is actual that indoor bikes and rowers can both be actual alternatives. The only real preference for you? Properly, it all comes down to your targets.

The rowing machine affords a full-body workout that engages multiple muscle groups. Nonetheless, it requires a technique and coordination to keep faraway from damage and that would perchance also furthermore be much less intuitive for some users compared to utilizing an exercise bike. Rowers furthermore take in extra dwelling and would perchance well furthermore be noisy.

On the opposite hand, stationary bikes can present a mountainous cardio workout, are extra adjustable (seat warmth, handlebars, and quite a lot of others.) and are easy to utilize. However biking essentially specializes in decrease body muscle groups, and would perchance well aloof no longer scenario the upper body or coordination as successfully as a rowing machine.

In traditional, says Samuel, the rower shall be the extra superior cardio risk. Per him, the rower delivers a extra “properly-rounded” workout. It furthermore at once challenges your mid-abet muscle groups, decrease abet muscle groups, and glutes.

“These are all key postural muscle groups,” Samuel informed us, “so that you’re getting extra advantages out of the rower.”

The blueprint back: Rowing furthermore requires extra procedure, so there’s a bigger finding out curve to dominating on the rower.

How to Steer sure of Getting Injured The utilize of a Rowing Machine

The only real methodology to keep faraway from getting injured on the rower is to master actual procedure, in preserving with Samuel. Probabilities are you’ll desire to tighten your abs sooner than every pull, and aim to let your legs drive the motion. He recommends working laborious no longer to lean abet too aggressively as you raise out every row stroke; accept as true with your torso animated between a 10 o’clock angle and 2 o’clock as you row. Anything extra than that is rarely precious.

Moreover, commence every row workout with a immediate warmup. This doesn’t must take lengthy, but sooner than you commence pulling to the max during any workout, employ no longer decrease than a minute doing slower, managed pulls throughout the total fluctuate of your rowing motion, riding blood drift and gradually elevating your coronary heart price. That’ll salvage you primed to row your only.

Lastly, make sure that there is masses of room on every facet of the rower. Having three toes of dwelling on either facet of the rower will will allow you to with ease pull your palms backward even whenever you happen to elbows flare. Probabilities are you’ll desire five-to-seven toes in the abet of the rower, giving you room to shift your torso backwards on every slide. And retain about a toes in entrance of the rower, too. And be aware, whenever you happen to are rowing laborious, your coronary heart price will climb up there. So, don’t overlook a decent frigid-down.

Can You Lose Weight The utilize of a Rowing Machine?

Targeted plump loss has been proven to be virtually impossible. However rowing machines are mountainous for on the subject of every facet of fitness, including constructing energy, lowering overall body plump, increasing stamina, and even weight reduction. The motive is easy: by burning a ton of energy (placing yourself in a calorie deficit), you would perchance well extra without effort ranking a detrimental each day energy steadiness. Final analysis: you’re ingesting fewer energy than you’re burning. Declaring a calorie deficit over a lengthy duration is the tenet in the abet of successfully losing weight and preserving it off.