How to choose a rowing machine, according to the experts.

Indoor rowing is one of the most popular forms of cardiovascular exercise. It can help make your heart bigger and stronger, boost your muscular endurance and burn loads of calories. If done correctly, it can also help you build lean muscle mass and increase upper-body strength. What’s more, rowing is exceptionally joint-friendly and accessible to a wide range of people. It is easy to list the benefits of this full-body exercise, but when it comes to choosing a rowing machine, things are nowhere near as simple.

Not that long ago, the only rower you could find in most gyms in the Northern Hemisphere was a Concept2 RowErg, and there were only a handful of other models to buy for home use. But these days, there is a whole universe of rowing machines that is seemingly expanding by the day.

Whether you want a rower the size of a small car or something you can easily store away in a cupboard, a classic water rowing machine or a premium piece of kit with a collapsible touchscreen, there are plenty of models to choose from. To make matters worse, in the modern world it is not just the equipment itself that you pay for. Many (if not most) of the best rowing machines come with apps, live classes on demand and other subscription-only digital perks.

So, how do you choose the rowing machine that suits you best? We asked the experts in the field to help you answer this vital question. Plus, we threw in some personal remarks based on our extensive experience using and testing these cardio machines over the years. Here is everything you need to know before making a big purchase.

Do not skimp on the price

While it may be tempting to go for the cheapest option, that is not the best way to go about choosing a rowing machine. In fact, cheaper rowers may actively undermine your fitness efforts and even put you off rowing for good.

“It breaks my heart when I see people decide rowing is not for them simply because they were not able to get on a machine that meets their needs. In general, the rowing machines that are most worth having are likely to run $500 and up,” Sarah Fuhrmann, a certified indoor rowing coach and CEO of indoor rowing specialists UCanRow2, told Live Science by email.

However, that does not necessarily mean you have to fork out thousands of dollars to get a decent rowing machine. “Consider looking on resale sites to see if you can get a used one at a good price,” Fuhrmann said.

There are several reasons why you should not skimp on the price. Most importantly, cheap rowing machines may not be particularly well-designed.

“To me, a non-negotiable is that the machine’s monorail be long enough that you can fully extend your legs so that you can take a full stroke. That’s not always possible on the lowest-priced machines,” Fuhrmann said.

Durability is another important factor here. “A quality machine will last for years with minimal maintenance, lower-priced machines are not always as reliable,” Fuhrmann said.

Pricier rowers also tend to track your progress in better detail. “[A good quality rowing machine] will give you information on your strokes per minute and your split — the amount of time it would take you to row 500 meters at your current pace. Split, strokes per minute, total distance and elapsed time are the baseline information you would want since it is what many rowing workouts are based on,” Fuhrmann said.

Lastly, investing in a premium rower can be a more pragmatic move in the long term. “Some machines, like the Concept2, hold their value extremely well and they often sell as soon as they come up on resale sites. That makes them a much lower-risk investment than other machines that are slow to sell and do not hold their value,” Fuhrmann said.

Of course, spending a significant amount of money on a machine you have never tried before may seem daunting, but where there is a will, there is a way. “For people who are newer to rowing and not sure if they are going to like it, one option is to get a membership to a gym with rowing machines for a month or two as a budget-friendly way to try it before making the investment,” Fuhrmann said.

Choose the right type of rowing machine

Once you establish how much you are willing to spend on a rowing machine, the next step is to decide on the type. There are several types of rowers, all using different mechanisms to create resistance. Some advanced models even combine several mechanisms in a bid to improve the user experience.

Water rowers are the oldest type of rowing machines. They use paddles spinning in a tank of water — every time you pull the handle, you have to overcome the resistance of the water inside the tank.

“This type of rower mimics the sound and feeling of rowing on water. They are ideal for anyone who wants a smooth feel and realistic rowing experience,” Eryn Barber, a certified personal trainer and fitness educator at The Fitness Group, a British provider of personal training courses, told Live Science.

Water rowers are often sturdy and well-built, but while that can be an advantage, it also means this type of rowing machine tends to be more expensive and require more maintenance than others, Barber said. Moreover, it is notoriously difficult to adjust your resistance level or obtain precise data tracking on this type of rowing machine, Fuhrmann added.

Air rowers offer a similarly realistic rowing experience, but they do not feature water tanks. Instead, they generate resistance by spinning fan blades against the air in a flywheel. The faster you row, the more the blades spin — and the more difficult the workout. “This resembles rowing on water as the faster you row, the more drag you encounter. As such, air rowers are built for high-intensity workouts,” Barber said.

Air rowing machines (such as the Concept2, for example) are often used in sporting competitions and many fitness professionals consider them to be the “gold standard” for rowing athletes, Fuhrmann said. This means that air rowers may not particularly appeal to beginners. “They tend to have fewer bells and whistles than other machines, although they can connect to multiple apps to obtain the connected experience,” she said. Another downside is that they are relatively loud, our experts agreed.

The next type is hydraulic rowing machines. This variant is particularly favored by beginners, because hydraulic rowers tend to be less expensive and more space-efficient than air and water rowers, Barber said.

“As a beginner, you may not want to commit to spending too much money. Hydraulic rowers are the most affordable and could be a stepping stone before you dedicate more money to an expensive piece of equipment,” Barber explained. However, their rowing movement is not as fluid as that of other machines. Hydraulic rowers create resistance by using pistons filled with fluid or air, and these can get stiff and/or damaged over time, Barber said.

Lastly, we have magnetic rowers. This type of rowing machine uses magnets and a flywheel to create resistance, and its intensity does not change with your rowing speed. “Resistance [in magnetic rowers] is constant, which is why it feels less like on-water rowing than air- or water-based machines,” Fuhrmann said.

However, these rowers have one major advantage over other types — they are exceptionally quiet and often easy to store. “Magnetic rowing machines can be a great option for shared spaces or apartments,” Fuhrmann said.

So, which type of rowing machine is the best? The ultimate choice will largely depend on your fitness goals.

“Are you using a rowing machine to improve your general fitness? If so, a hydraulic or magnetic rower might be best suited to your goals. On the other hand, if you are looking for something more powerful that mimics traditional outdoor rowing, then a water or air rowing machine will provide more resistance and a challenging workout,” Barber said.

Make sure the design suits your needs and abilities

Rowing machines may look similar at a glance, but they can differ vastly in terms of footprint, ease of storage and the kind of user they are intended for. This is an important point — how your rower is designed can make or break your experience, so make sure it is suitable for your living space, body size and fitness abilities.

Firstly, assess the dimensions and portability of your rowing machine. “If you have got a lot of room for equipment, this does not matter. However, if you are short on space, you need to consider which machines are the most compact and foldable so they can be stored away easily,” Barber said.

The good news is that, whether they are foldable or not, many rowing machines can be stored upright, and that design tweak can save a lot of space. That said, make note of the machine’s weight. Even if you are relatively strong, lifting the rower and maneuvering it around the room can be a tough task. We have instructed enough group fitness classes and tested enough rowing machines to be painfully familiar with the hassle of lugging them around!

Next, check the weight limit of your rowing machine. “Not every rower is built to accommodate larger bodies,” Fuhrmann said. This also applies to the size of footplates. If your body shape has changed recently, you may also want to check the dimensions of the seat and whether it has any extra padding. It is frustrating to finish your workout with a completely numb backside, but sliding off the seat when you are trying to focus on your workout is even worse.

The design of your rowing machine is even more important if you have limited mobility or poor posture. Certain features can help eliminate discomfort and reduce your risk of injury, making your workouts safer and more enjoyable, Dr. Jason Krystofiak, section chief of sports medicine at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, New Jersey, told Live Science.

“For example, finding a rowing machine with a high seat is going to help you easily get on and off the machine, which reduces strain on the knees and hips. Adjustable footplates, on the other hand, will help you ensure proper leg positioning, which supports better spinal alignment [how the head, shoulders and hips relate and line up with each other] and posture while rowing,” Krystofiak said. Proper foot alignment is also the key to preventing back discomfort during rowing, he noted.

Comfort is another important factor — features like a padded seat and easy-to-use handles can make a big difference and support a positive introduction to rowing, Krystofiak said. Speaking of handles, we would also recommend checking what they are made of. Solid plastic handles can get slippery when wet, while the padded ones are more sweat-friendly.

Lastly, people with knee, hip or back pain may want to choose a rowing machine with magnetic resistance over air or water rowers, Krystofiak said. “Magnetic rowers offer smooth, low-impact movement that’s easier on the joints, while adjustable resistance allows users to control intensity and row at their own pace, avoiding injury,” he explained.

Consider investing in the extra features

Many rowing machine manufacturers hide extra features behind a paywall. Having to pay for monthly app subscriptions may seem like an assault on your finances, but it could be money well spent. At the end of the day, what is the point of buying a shiny new rowing machine if you do not enjoy using it?

Touchscreens are becoming increasingly commonplace in rowing machines, and for a good reason. “On-demand or live online workouts can be a great motivator, especially if you are not sure what to do once you sit down. Bonus points if they are taught by certified instructors who have had to demonstrate their ability to row and teach you safely and effectively,” Fuhrmann said.

If you opt for a rowing machine without a monitor, you may miss out on the benefits and fun of rowing by not taking advantage of all the possible information you can get, Fuhrmann added.

An increasing number of rowing machines offer interactive games, fun challenges and other features designed to keep you entertained during workouts. These extra features can make your workouts more enjoyable, thus helping you to stay consistent with your training routine, our experts said. However, they also emphasized that this gamification of exercise should be approached with a good degree of common sense.

“Without good instruction, these features can lead people to prioritize speed and ‘winning’ over form. Not all games are designed to promote good form, which can be a fast track to injury, especially for older adults or those new to rowing or exercise. In general, I recommend using games as a reward after a workout well done, or as a way to reinforce good habits, not override them. Seal proper technique into your muscle memory first, then dive into the universe of games,” Fuhrmann said.