Best Rowing Machine – Top Indoor Rower Reviews for 2019
The rowing machine has been proven to be the best solution for weight loss. It is one of the full body exercises which is also low impact which means that you can perform it at any fitness level without risk of injury. But what makes a good indoor rower machine and why would you even want to consider one yourself?
When you want to lose weight or when you want to stay in good shape, the Best Rowing Machine can be a good solution. According to research, it is actually the best option, even better than a treadmill. This is why it is important to know that you can see great results when it comes training at home, at any age.
Top 5 Rowing Machines for Home
| ① Concept2 Model E - TOP PICK |  |
| ② Life Fitness Row GX Trainer |  |
| ③ Lifecore R100 |  |
| ④ WaterRower Natural |  |
| ⑤ Concept2 Model D |  |
Why Use the Top Rowing Machine?
When it comes to the reasons to use an indoor rowing machine, you need to know that you can see great results yourself. You can use it in the comfort of your home and the results will come if you have the right persistence.
Full Body Workout with an Indoor Rower
Full body workouts are among the leading solutions when it comes to the ultimate training. They involve your upper body, your lower body and your core. This means that you can use them when it comes to better overall results in terms of overall caloric expenditure. You will thus burn more calories and you will also become better at the movements which involve multiple muscles.
These are also the movements you perform every day as the isolation movements are rarer in real life situations. Full body workouts also represent one of the best options when it comes to improved overall results, especially in the conditions in which you want to target weight loss. But in terms of optimum training for most people, full body workouts are the best for time saving as well.
Most people training at home do not have the time to train every muscle group separately and they are only capable to perform a few workouts per week. This is why the full body routines are so recommended as they allow you to hit the major muscles two or three times per week. With better overall results in terms of muscle activation, you are thus also able to ensure that you maximize your efforts when you train. Since you are not training every day, full body workouts prove to be the way to go. A rowing machine is thus the most important solutions to consider for this purpose. While there are many options to work with, it is also important to consider the options you have when it comes to protecting your joints and rowing is among the leading solutions for this purpose.
Cardiovascular Benefits of a Rowing Machine for Home
Cardiovascular health is among the most important characteristics to consider when it comes to staying fit. While there are many types of training routines to target your muscles, not many manage to offer yo the higher hear rate you need when it comes to better cardiovascular health.
Running, jumping rope or using an elliptical can come close. But rowing is completely different as it involves all your major muscles. It manages to raise and maintain a raised heart rate through the workout and this makes it one of the best options when it comes to improved overall health. Furthermore, it can also be one of the leading solutions when you want to target an approach to keep certain heart problems away as it can be one of the best preventive solutions for most people.
Weight Loss Benefits of a Home Rowing Machine
When it comes to using a rowing machine, weight loss is one of the most important benefits to remember. It allows you good overall results and it manages to offer a real solution when it comes to a healthier lifestyle. As many people try to understand weight loss, they also see the difficulty it is associated with.
This is where maximizing calorie burning during a workout is important. Rowing allows you to do this and this is why it can be such an important characteristic when it comes to better overall health, especially in the conditions in which you want to ensure the best overall results when it comes to visible results, not just small improvements on the scale.
Endurance Benefits of a Rower Machine
When you want to improve endurance, cardiovascular health is very important. This is why you need to consider the options you have when it comes to better health and even in your everyday life, you will start to see improved results. This is why it is important to note that you can see great results when it comes to good health even when it comes to endurance and this is why it is important to note that you can also improve your overall walking capacity for long distances once you improve your cardiovascular health.
It may also be true that you will not be tired as easily. This is why it is important to note that you can also improve the overall capacity of your body to resist better, especially if you manage to consume healthy foods as well.
Injury-Free Workouts with a Rowing Machine
One of the most important characteristics to consider with long-term training comes with injuries and their setbacks. Luckily, rowing machines are among the safest options from this perspective. They allow you a good overall result when it comes to better workouts which are free of injuries.
This is basically due to the fact the position you have on the machine finds your feet grounded and your core stabilized as well in the sitting position. This immediately limits possible injuries to the knees, which are so common on the treadmill. Of course, beginners are more prone to these injuries but it is also important to note that you can see great results when it comes to better overall rowing capacity as well. It is thus recommended to look for the options which allow you a good overall result when it comes to keeping your joints as healthy as possible.
This also makes the rowing machine one of the recommended options when it comes to training at any age. Even as you age, you can still use the indoor rower and this allows you to stay in a better shape with better mobility. In most cases, you will also start to see great benefits when it comes to considerable mobility improvements as well, especially with the pulling movements.
Top 5 Rowing Machines for Home
| ① Concept2 Model E - TOP PICK | |
| ② Life Fitness Row GX Trainer | |
| ③ Lifecore R100 | |
| ④ WaterRower Natural | |
| ⑤ Concept2 Model D | |
Top Features of the Best Rowing Machines
A good rowing machine is always recommended. It allows you great results in terms of exercise quality and it is also important for durability. This is why you want to focus on the best results when it comes to a rowing machine you can depend on and which will not put too much pressure on your finances as well.
Types of Resistance
There are different types of rowing machines to consider. Basically, you can categorize them by the type of resistance they come with. Most options come with air resistance. The harder your row the more difficult it becomes to row. Magnetic resistance is also popular and it allows you to choose different difficulty levels. Water rowers are considered to be the smoothest performers. They are also the most expensive options as they will be the closest solution to actual real-life rowing.
In many cases, it is also important to look at the options which allow you good overall results when it comes to better workouts for you. If you are a person who needs variation, magnetic resistance can be a good choice. But in many cases, you will also see different machines which even combine different technologies such as air resistance with magnetic resistance for the best results.
Programs
The programs which rowing machines come with can be one of the greatest additions as they allow you to train for different goals. Interval training can thus come under different programs and it allows you a good overall performance, especially when you want to improve your own personal scores.
Distance training can also be a good solution. Many rowing machines come with programs of different lengths which are measured in meters or yards and which can be the foundation to your training routine. With so many great options, the rowing machines which offer good variation are always recommended, especially as you might even feel less motivated to workout in time.
Calorie Information
Calories are also important. They are an indication of your efforts during a training routine and this is why it is important to look at the solutions which allow you to be on track with your own fitness goals. The number of calories you burn in a rowing session will depend on the intensity and on the length of the rowing. This is why it is important to know that you can see great results when it comes to better overall training and improved results when it comes to fitness together with this indicator.
If there is only one parameter to measure your performance, calories can be one of them. They allow you to track your progress in time and many rowing machines can even save your best results so that you have something to strive towards with your next workouts.
It is also true that you will not be able to always improve your workout results but since you can have a better understanding on where you stand with your workouts, you can also benefit simply by improving the way you look at a rowing session.
Pulse Monitoring
There are different methods to measure performance as well. One of them comes with the pulse measurements. Some of the most impressive solutions on the market also allow you to connect a pulse measurement option such as a chest strap to the machine. This will give you a fairly accurate result when it comes to pulse. In many cases, it is also important to know that you can improve your workouts simply by maintaining a better pulse rate through the workout.
With certain apps integration, you can also improve the cardiovascular effort as well. Thus, you will always know the average pulse of the workout. Certain smartphone apps can even give you a more detailed overview as well. They can allow you a good performance when it comes to the pulse in a certain moment of the workout. Thus, you can have a better understanding of how your pulse is actually increasing or decreasing during the workout. This is a more advanced approach but it can be one of the options which allow you to better understand your own performance and this can only lead to improved overall results when it comes to better future workouts.
Transportation
The rowing machine is not a small machine. If you plan to purchase one for your home, you need to know that you will have to follow a simple procedure to move it to another location. But if it has built-in transportation wheels, this becomes considerably easier. Even more, you also have the ability to work with options which are made to improve your overall results when it comes to no help at all during transport as you should be able to do this yourself.
Thus, when you want more freedom, you can always move the rowing machine to another room. At the same time, you can also take the machine on the deck during the warmer days of summer for an outdoor experience.
Resistance Levels
When it comes to the settings of the rowing machine, you can also look at the options which allow you a good overall performance, even from an advanced perspective. Having different resistance levels to work with is very important. This is why it is recommended to look at the options which are made for the best results when it comes to training. It is needless to say that you can even vary the resistance levels in order to have a more challenging workout. Some programs can do this automatically for you. But when you simply want to row, you can choose a solution which allows you a better result and which is also made to improve your performance when it comes to workout variation.
LCD Display
Modern rowing machines are now fully controlled through an LCD display. You thus get the ability to work with the solutions which allow you a good overall result and which are also easy to set up even for beginners. This is why it is also recommended to choose the options which come with the configuration you need to perform in the LCD display area. This simplifies the overall experience and it allows you to quickly configure the settings of your workout. With better results when it comes to a full control, LCD displays also allow you a good performance to consider when it comes to better overall simplicity. All the steps you need to perform in order to be ready to row should thus be visible on the display.
Warranty
One of the characteristics of a good rowing machine are to be considered with its warranty. Most home users can choose between a large selection of machines which are made to fulfill all types of needs. For the beginner home user to the advanced home user, you can find solutions to work with. At the same time, it is also important to look at the options which are really made to cover all areas of service, as some brands only offer warranty coverage for parts and not labor.
When you plan to use the rowing machine in a commercial environment such as a gym, you will thus have to look for the options which are made for you as most warranties will not cover your intense use. The good news is that commercial warranties can even be extended from some of the leading options on the market. For most home users, a good warranty is thus essential, especially since there should be no real reasons to upgrade your rowing machine.
In order to ensure that you do not need to upgrade your rowing machine in a couple of years, you will thus need to choose an up to date design which is ready to be used when it comes to better overall fitness level with up to date technologies. Thus, if you make an informed decision, there is no real reason to consider an upgrade. In most cases, a rowing machine can thus be one of the few machines which are made to last for years and which are also made to offer one of the complete full-body workouts which can be performed at home with no personal trainers. So when it comes to the best options on the market, you also need to look at the options which fulfill these characteristics and which can be at the base of an improved overall fitness level. Here are the leading options:
Top 5 Rowing Machines for Home
| ① Concept2 Model E - TOP PICK | |
| ② Life Fitness Row GX Trainer | |
| ③ Lifecore R100 | |
| ④ WaterRower Natural | |
| ⑤ Concept2 Model D | |
① Concept2 Model E Indoor Rowing Machine with PM5
The Concept2 Model E Indoor Rowing Machine with PM5 is one of the most popular solutions in its class. It comes with a simplicity which recommends it for home and commercial use and with the help of the PM5 system, it recommends itself among the options to consider when it comes to a complete experience. Made with a nickel-plated chain, it is one of the options which is also durable as well. When your workout is done, you can move it out of your way as it separates into two pieces for storage purposes. Furthermore, it also comes with a quick rowing mode which is the options to choose when you simply want to row.
Pros
- Great for better storage
- Recommended for Quick Row Mode
- Comes with PM5 computer
- Nickel-plated chain
Cons
- The seat can be improved
The rowing machine is thus among the solutions to consider when you want good overall results and when you are looking for a complete full body workout. As it comes with training for interval or calorie modes, it can be one of the options to consider for long-term use. At the same time, the machine also comes with a quick rowing mode which is all you need as a beginner.
② Life Fitness Row GX Trainer
The Life Fitness Row GX Trainer is one of the recommended solutions for home or commercial use. It comes with the Fluid Technology resistance and this recommends it among the leading options when it comes to good overall rowing. With a smooth rowing experience, you can even use it for the longer workouts. Made with 16 resistance levels, it represents one of the most versatile options as well. With the help of the oversized pedals, most users will also feel comfortable with intense rowing as well.
Pros
- Recommended for rowing smoothness
- Oversized foot pedals
- Made with an ergonomic seat
Cons
- Small handlebar
The rowing machine thus comes with 16 resistance levels. However, it must be said the difference between the levels is very small and the increments might prove more useful for the advanced users more than the beginners. This is why it is one of the solutions which can allow you to fine-tune your performance according to your level of rowing, but it may not be the best option for the new user in terms of visible changes in the levels of difficulty.
③ Lifecore R100 Commercial Rowing Machine
The Lifecore R100 Commercial Rowing Machine is one of the up to date solutions to consider. Made with a more compact design, it represents one of the recommended solutions to use at homer. For this reason, it comes to meet your needs when it comes to different resistance levels and it offers you 16 choices to work with. With 15 included programs, it can also be one of the solutions to consider when you want improved overall results with variation and it is thus one of the leading options to deal with when it comes to better overall workout variation. It even comes with 4 cardio workouts which recommend it among the solutions to be considered when it comes to weight loss.
Pros
- Compact design
- Comes with 16 resistance levels
- 4 heart rate control programs
Cons
- Small LCD display
The rowing machine is thus among the leading options to consider when it comes to better overall fitness. It can even be used at home as it doesn’t need any extras to offer a good full body workout for most people. Its main drawbacks include the rather small pedals and the small LCD display. Its mains strengths include the wider variety of programs to train with and the best part comes with the dedicated heart rate control programs. The machine is thus among the recommended options when it comes to weight loss as it allows you to focus on the results which are truly made for better overall fitness.
④ WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine with S4 Monitor
The WaterRower Natural Rowing Machine with S4 Monitor is one of the premium options on the market and one of the solutions which allow you a good result when it comes to a smooth rowing experience. Water rowers are considered to be the best solution when you want to experience a memorable rowing workout and the machine is at the highest level according to the expectations in terms of rowing smoothness.
Made by hand from beautiful natural wood, it stands out with its own class and it is closer to a piece of art than to a traditional machine you see in the gym. It also comes with a minimalistic computer to count strokes, time and even your heart rate.
Pros
- Premium feel
- Made by hand
- Distinct wooden frame
- Smooth water rowing
Cons
- Not the most affordable solution
The water rowing machine is among the leading options when it comes to good overall performance. It also allows you a great performance when it comes to rowing experience and it can be one of the options for advanced users. It is not one of the options made for the average users or for the beginner as it is made to satisfy some of the needs of those seeking a premium experience. It is also quite heavy and this means that it may not be as easy to move as you would expect.
⑤ Concept2 Model D with PM5 Indoor Rower Rowing Machine
The Concept2 Model D with PM5 Performance Monitor Indoor Rower Rowing Machine is one of the up to date solutions which can be used at home or at the gym. It comes to meet your needs when you want wireless connectivity and this is why it can be among the solutions to consider when you want better overall results with data transfer.
For this reason, it comes with Bluetooth connectivity. Made with air resistance, it is a solution which works well for most users. With 10 resistance levels, it is also a solution to consider when it comes to more adjustability.
Pros
- Made with air resistance
- Recommended for adjustability of resistance
- Bluetooth connectivity
Cons
- Heavy design
As you would expect from the manufacturer, the rowing machine also comes with a foldable design. This means that you can move it away once your workout is over and that you will also have the ability to use it to a high standard when it comes to saving space in smaller homes. With air resistance, it is also one of the low noise solutions and this can further recommend it for smaller homes. With a modern LCD display, it represents a solution which is easy to control as well.
⑥ BodyCraft VR500 Commercial Indoor Rower
The BodyCraft VR500 Commercial Rower is one of the up to date premium solutions on the market. It comes with one of the best displays on the market. With a backlit display, it represents a solution which is worth considering when it comes to building your own home gym. With a durable aluminum construction, it is also one of the practical designs as well. For this purpose, it comes with a foldable design and it can also be easily moved from location to location as it comes with built-in transportation wheels.
Pros
- Great for home use
- Premium design
- Backlit LCD
- Foldable frame
Cons
- Handlebar is short
The rowing machine can thus meet your needs when you want a low profile solution with a display which is easy to read, even in low light conditions. With better results when it comes to overall safety and stability, the aluminum design of the rower also allow it to be easily transported and stored when not in use, even with no help from other people. With an ergonomic handlebar, it represents a solution which is worth considering when it comes to longer workouts as well.
⑦ WaterRower Oxbridge Rowing Machine in Cherry with S4 Monitor
The WaterRower Oxbridge Rowing Machine in Cherry with S4 Monitor is one of the premium options which is worth to consider when it comes to better overall rowing workouts. Made from elegant cherry wood, it represents a leading option when it comes to good vibration absorption and this recommends it as a low profile solution. The only noise you will hear will thus be the sound of the water rowing. With an S4 monitor, the rowing machine is also able to track your calories, the strokes, the time of the workout as well as the heart rate.
Pros
- Craft design
- Premium cherry wood
- S4 monitor
- Smooth rowing experience
Cons
- Not the most affordable option
The rowing machine is thus one of the best options when it comes to better overall results in terms of smoothness. It works well when you want good results which are very close to actual rowing. This is where the cherry wood construction even allows it to damp some of the vibrations from the rowing giving you a more natural feel on the machine. While it is not the most affordable option, it is made to be a real solution for those who want the best smooth rowing experience.
⑧ KETTLER Coach S Ergometer Rowing Machine
The KETTLER Coach S Ergometer Rowing Machine is one of the recommended solutions when you look for distinct designs. But the looks are not the only strength of the machine since it also comes with a small built-in computer to track your performance. You will even be able to see data from your chest strap on the included computer. With an ergonomic handle, it provides a smooth rowing experience. Furthermore, the rowing machine also comes to meet your needs in terms of programs and its main strength comes with interval training.
Pros
- Recommended for most people
- Great innovative design
- Ergonomic handle
Cons
- Not the most comfortable seat
The rowing machine is thus a good solution when you want a modern design in your home. It comes to meet your needs in terms of overall versatility as well and this is why it comes with variable workouts such as interval training to allow yourself to push for better results in time.
⑨ Bodycraft VR200 Rowing Machine
The Bodycraft VR200 Rowing Machine is one of the best solutions for beginners. It comes with an aluminum construction and it is a product to consider when it comes to lightness and durability. It also comes with a small display to track basic workout data. With a comfortable seat on bearings, it also represents one of the recommended options when you want a smooth rowing experience. For most people, it also represents a solution to choose when it comes to program variation as well.
Pros
- Foldable design
- Recommended for home use
- Comfortable seat
Cons
- 500m only for time intervals
The rowing machine thus represents one of the great solutions to consider when it comes to better overall health at home. Even if it is not at the highest level for professionals, it still comes with adjustable magnetic resistance which recommends it among the solutions to consider when it comes to better overall weekly rowing.
⑩ Stamina X AMRAP Rowing Machine
The Stamina X AMRAP Rowing Machine is one of the solutions to consider when it comes to an ergonomic design. Made with a durable design, it comes with a steel monorail and it represents one of the leading options when it comes to better overall durability for the home use. With an included chest strap, it also represents one of the great solutions when it comes to heart rate monitoring.
Pros
- Recommended for durability
- Great for home user
- Steel monorail design
Cons
- Computer can be improved
The ergonomic rowing machine is thus one of the recommended options when it comes to better overall rowing. It comes to meet your needs when you want to improve your overall results in terms of cardiovascular health. For this reason, you will be able to use the included chest strap. With interval programs, you will also be able to function at high parameters in terms of versatility.
⑪ Schwinn Crewmaster Rowing Machine
The Schwinn Crewmaster Rowing Machine is one of the recommended magnetic resistance designs. Made with good versatility, it comes with 10 resistance levels to choose from. It even comes with an included LCD display. The display can monitor your basic workout data such as the number of strokes. With an ergonomic design, it is also easy to use for short or long workouts as well.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Ergonomic seat
- Foldable design
- Recommended for home use
Cons
- Nylon transmission
The rowing machine is thus among the leading options when it comes to better overall rowing capacity. As most solutions it its class, it actually comes with 10 resistance levels. With a basic LCD display for the workout data, it also represents a leading solution to those who need a versatile home tool with an impressive frame warranty of 10 years.
⑫ Stamina 1450 Wave Water Rowing Machine
The Stamina 1450 Wave Water Rowing Machine is one of the hybrids which are recommended when it comes to better overall results with smoother rowing. It combines water rowing with a metal frame to offer a more affordable solution when compared to wooden options as well. It also comes with a minimalistic monitor for performance as well.
Pros
- Made for water rowing
- Smooth experience
- Large pedals
Cons
- Outdated computer
The rowing machine thus represents a solution to choose when you want to experience the true smoothness of water rowing. At the same time, it does come with vibrations as the metal is not truly as versatile as the wooden alternatives. But with a water rowing experience, it can be an option for the dedicated home user.
⑬ LifeSpan RW1000 Indoor Rowing Machine
The LifeSpan RW1000 Indoor Rowing Machine is one of the minimalistic solutions to consider for home use. Made with a metal frame, it is also quite durable. For this reason, it comes with a 5-year frame warranty as well. Even more, it also represents one of the options to consider when it comes to good user capacity as it can handle weights of up to 300lbs.
Pros
- Minimalistic design
- Solid frame
- Included display
Cons
- Not best for latest technologies
The rowing machine is thus among the recommended options when it comes to good health at home. It allows you a performance which is on par with some of the most impressive options on the market and it comes to offer a highly affordable option to use for years to come.
⑭ Sunny Health & Fitness Water Rowing Machine Rower
The Sunny Health & Fitness Water Rowing Machine Rower is one of the leading options in terms of smooth rowing and affordability. If you want to experience competitive rowing but you also want to improve the results of your smoother workouts, it can be an option to consider in the detriment of the wooden frame alternatives. With a controlled result based on Hydro 3 blades, it can be a solution for advanced users as well.
Pros
- Recommended for better rowing
- Comes with Hydro 3 blades
- Real alternative to wooden water rowers
Cons
- Some vibrations during rowing
The rowing machine thus represents one of the leading options when it comes to better overall workouts. It can give you a competitive edge when you take rowing seriously. Also, it works very well when it comes to better overall durability for home user as well. With an elegant metal frame, it can also be a solution to move around easily as it also comes with transportation wheels.
⑮ Stamina ATS Air Rower 1405
The Stamina ATS Air Rower 1405 is one of the most important designs on the market. It is still very popular with many users due to its simplistic design. Using air resistance, it works well in most cases and it even supports your weight fairly good. Partly due to the oversized pedals, it also provides a great experience for people of all heights.
Pros
- Durable frame
- Air resistance system
- Oversized pedals
Cons
- No ergonomic handlebar
The rowing machine is thus one of the recommended options for short and medium workouts. Up to 30 minutes, it can be a good solution to use for most people and it can be an option for weekly workouts. As it doesn’t offer an ergonomic handlebar, it can be uncomfortable for the longer workouts.
Conclusion & What is the Best Rowing Machine Brand
When it comes to the best overall Rowing Machine, it is the combination of great features and durability which matter most. A simple user experience is also highly recommended for such machines. Made with impressive results when it comes to full-body workouts, the rowing machine can be your foundation for better fitness.
The Concept2 Model E Indoor Rowing Machine (CHECK BEST PRICE HERE) is the best solution to consider. It comes with balanced features and with the help of the PM5 monitor, it also represents a real solution when it comes to tracking workout data. If you consider home use, the rowing machine is still the best option to work with as it comes with its foldable design which allows you to store it away while not in use. The best part is that you will be able to do this yourself as it comes with built-in transportation wheels. We hope you enjoyed our Rowing Machine Reviews.
About Becca Shaeffer
Becca Shaeffer is our resident health nut. An Ohio native, she loathes for the day she can quit her day job and move to somewhere warmer. When she's not at the gym, she's either hacking her way through skin treatments or thinking about her favorite cheat meal - thin crust pizza with anchovies and jalapenos.
