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We've said it before and we’ll say it again: The best rowing machines are the gym’s most underrated piece of fitness equipment. Seriously, rowing is a full-body workout that cooks your core, works under-appreciated muscle groups like your hamstrings, and burns your lungs. But it's also low-impact, meaning it’s a great cardio workout for young bucks and the washed alike—and definitely worth adding to your home gym or living room.
The Best Rowing Machines Buying GuideAnd if you want to jump right to the good stuff, here's our assessment of the best rowers out there:
The Best Rowing Machine for Most People: Concept 2, $1,560The Best Smart Rowing Machine: Hydrow Wave, $1,695 $1,495The Best Water Rowing Machine: Ergatta, $2,499 $1,799The Best Rowing Machine for $1,000 or Less: Echelon Row Rowing Machine, $1,000 $900Yes, rowers may look bulky and clunky, but thankfully they don’t take up as much space as you might think. A new wave of innovative companies has made huge strides in making these semi-portable, ergonomic, and handsome enough that you might not even feel the need to stow it away when you've got company. And while the best rowing machines are a bigger investment than, say, running shoes or some free weights, once you drop that initial cash you might be able to skip the gym membership. Just you and the silent whirr of modern design.
Below, we've tapped actual competitive rowers and coaches for their picks on the best rowing machines out there, and hand-selected some comparable alternatives as well.
The Best Rowing Machine for Most People: Concept 2 RowErg
Concept2
RowErg Indoor Rowing Machine$1,560Amazon
You maybe have noticed that hardcore rowers tend to refer to these machines as an “erg.” This bare-bones setup is what they have in mind, and it's really all you need in a rowing machine even if you're not training for the Head of the Charles. No video screen, no subscription required—just a serious workout. Rowing coach Milan Kamphuis notes that when it comes to a machine that actual off-duty rowers use on their days outside the water, it's a Concept 2.
“Every university, high school rowing club, and gym has those machines,” he says. With a price point under $1,000, they're more accessible than a lot of pricier new models (like the Ergatta and the Peloton Row), but don't skimp on functionality. It gives you a lot of data, and it's one of the most dynamic-feeling rowers out there, Kamphuis says.
Eddy Mog, head coach at Row New York, agrees that the Concept 2s have set the standard for rowing machines. If you're wavering between models, he says the Model Cs are outdated at this point, but that more updated versions are great. This version seen above is from the Model E line, with a tall 20-inch seat height for easily hopping on and off, plus a quick-release mechanism that allows you to unlock the machine into two separate pieces for storage.
One thing the Concept 2 won't offer is some of the more high-design features of the Hydrow Wave below, like the live rowing classes streamed to your machine that give you the sensation of being out on the water. If pure machine, no bells and whistles, is what you're looking for, there's no better option out there than a Concept 2.
The Best Smart Rowing Machine: Hydrow Wave
Hydrow
Wave Rowing Machine$1,895 $1,795Hydrow
The GQ Fitness Award-winning Hydrow Wave is the most advanced version of the brand's rowing simulators, packaging all of the things you might love about the original Hydrow rower in a smaller body. Founded by rowing champion and U.S. National Team coach Bruce Smith, the brand works with elite rowers around the world to screen live workouts every day from locations like Boston or all the way out in Bergen, Norway so you can fake a real rowing experience.
Unlike other machines that use a water barrel to drum up water resistance, this one harnesses magnetic resistance technology to simulate the drag of an oar, and wide handlebars for comfortably gripping as you pull. This model is slimmer and lighter than its predecessor for easy storage, and includes the same digital membership so you can cue up live classes as you workout. It's a heavy duty, commercial gym-worthy rowing machine complete with a bright 16" HD screen, and a recurring monthly fee gets you constantly updating workouts. The native programming is stacked with 4,000 workouts in the app, including rowing 101 with Olympians like Aquil Abdullah and even pilates and yoga if you're slowing it down between rowing workouts.
"If you don’t have access to a boat but still want the experience of rowing, the Hydrow is the closest you can get to being out on the water," Kamphuis says. Though he hasn't tested it first-hand, he notes that the Hydrow has a reputation within the rowing community for feeling similar to the Concept 2. It won't get you anywhere close to the sensation or stats of an RP3 (which is the gold standard for rowing machines, he tells us), but the range of workouts, the class capabilities, and the full suite of splashy colors it comes in make it the most customizable way to get your erg on.
The Best Water Rowing Machine: Ergatta
Ergatta
The Ergatta Rower$2,499 $1,749Ergatta
There’s a reason everyone, including us, raves about the Ergatta rower. It’s a beautiful machine and the overall experience is centered on the athlete. Rather than simply prescribe workouts or offer classes, the Ergatta’s calibration system tailors workouts specifically to your fitness level (sorta like a personal trainer), so they'll grow with you as you level up over time.
Most Popular
With its handsome cherry wood body, it looks a helluva lot more sleek than a hulking metal indoor rower, plus it stows away vertically when it's not in use. But with a price that's even more steep than the RP3 T below, an Olympic-caliber machine, you're really paying for looks and design over actual game-changing features. It also uses a traditional water tank to dial up the water resistance similar to an actual oar moving through the waves, which can be a lot louder than a magnetic rower like the Hydrow Wave. It’s a solid, lightweight machine, though, with a cool gaming component that’ll help your morning workouts feel a little more enjoyable. (If you’re a cyclist who loves the gamification of Zwift, you’ll love the virtual regattas on Ergatta.) And if you're still unsure, the machine comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test it out in your home and get a feel for it.
The Best Hardcore Rowing Machine: RP3 Original
RP3
RP3 Model T rower$2,965RP3
“The best of the best, if you’re looking for one that the Olympic teams and elite Ivy League schools are training on, is the RP3,” Kamphuis says. That's because the RP3 actually moves underneath you for a unique boat-like sensation, he explains, that really simulates the experience of being out on the water. It combines an aluminum body with a dynamic wobble seat and a tablet or phone monitor that connects to the RP3's free app to pull up your stats. Kamphuis calls out the fact that the RP3 feeds you a lot more metrics and live feedback than the average machine on your dig force, joules, and your power curve—not only your watts or speed—which is ideal if you're trying to maximize your performance.
If you're training with a team, you can also connect one RP3 to another to pull up the power curve of your teammate, which can help you optimize your technique. The RP3 can be used in dynamic or static mode, which allows rowers to have more flexibility with how they train, and the machine itself is designed to help improve a rower's posture and go easy on the body during training, which can help prevent any injuries down the line. It's a hefty investment for the average rower, and probably overkill for anyone who wants a basic machine, but a really bang-up machine for serious rowers.
Another Great Machine For Serious Rowers: Oartec DX
Oartec
DX Rowing Machine$1,995Oartec
For something slightly less expensive than the RP3 but still high-powered enough for a more experienced rower, Mog recommends the Oartec line. “The dynamic slide can mimic how your body moves within a boat and prepare you for more effective strokes,” he says, caveating that these are probably still too expensive for anyone who's not actively training for competitive rowing. Oartec is a brand created by Australian national team rower Matt Roach that specializes in streamlined rowing machines with ergonomic seats for a more comfortable ride. It also has a similar small footprint compared to the Concept 2 and RP3 models.
2 Other Comparable Rowing MachinesAnd though we haven't tested out the following models (nor have they been recommended by our experts thus far), we think they offer similar perks to the above if you're looking to dabble.
Peloton
Row Rowing Machine$2,995Peloton
The fitness junkies over at Peloton branched out into the rowing space a few years ago with the launch of the Peloton Row. It's got a sleek, compact frame at just 8' x 2', and magnetic resistance that allows you to get a sweat session in without waking up your partner. It also dials in on metrics that help you improve your form and stroke rate, with a padded seat to help you stay planted for a while without your glutes going numb. The swiveling touchscreen is a nice feature that the Hydrow Wave doesn't have, and it borrows from the folks at Hydrow with some scenic features that make it look like you're out on the water in pretty, far-flung locales. If you want the experience of working out with actual rowing experts versus Peloton instructors, we'd still recommend the Hydrow Wave over the Peloton. But for Peloton devotees, the siren song of a new Peloton machine that can help them gamify their rowing workouts (and build a community with other Peloton folks on the leaderboard) might be too compelling to resist.
Echelon
Rowing Machine$1,000 $800Amazon
The best smart rowing machines cost upward of $2,000, but up-and-coming fitness brand Echelon makes an impressive mid-range rower that's even more so after a recent price drop. The quiet magnetic resistance offers 32 settings for you to try.You might recognize Echelon from the treadmill space, where the brand has made a name for itself in affordable machines around $1,000 that pack in many of the same perks as pricier peers. This one has a foldable design for packing it away when it's not in use, though it does take up a fair amount of space when it's all set up. It can also be synced with an Echelon membership for access to over 3,000 live classes streamed via its LCD screen, along with personalized stats on your pace and stroke rate. Shoppers note that the frame is sturdy, but the magnetic resistance is still silent enough to workout without pissing off roommates and neighbors. On sale right now, it's just north of $500 if you're looking for a budget model to keep you in shape at home without the smart features of the best in the biz.
How Does Using an Indoor Machine Compare to Rowing in a Boat?Kamphuis explains that a workout with a rowing machine can actually be more effective than hopping in a boat: “There’s a reason a lot of rowers use these machines. You can see your numbers and the power you put in, whereas with the boat, you can feel it but you can’t see it.” Using an indoor machine is also an all-season kind of rowing experience that isn't dictated by the weather. “Every program for schools and college has rowers on these seven days a week during the winter time,” Kamphuis adds.
What Should You Look for in an Indoor Rowing Machine?One of the biggest factors when shopping for an indoor rower, besides the price tag, is the square footage your indoor rowing machine will take up in your space. Kamphuis warns against caving on a cheap foldable machine, as he explains that the most high-quality rowers ones will be sturdier machines that can help simulate the feel of being out on the water. Plus, he notes that a solid model like the Concept 2 comes apart in two pieces to pack away (while others, like the Ergatta, can stack up against the wall when they’re not in use).
Most PopularIn terms of design, Mog says he has reservations about water rowers and machines that don't use a chain and wheel for resistance because he finds that they're not ideal for training and comparing stats head to head against what you'd experience out in the water. “Water rowers use nylon belts or magnetic resistance to make strokes heavier and harder but provide rowers with splits and scores that are faster than what they would do on an erg,” he explains. He suggests those machines for casual rowing and cardiovascular training at home rather than for competitive rowers.
If a quiet ride is a high priority, a magnetic rower that nixes all the sloshing from a water tank (like water rowers) is your best bet. From there, you can pick and choose what other features you're looking for in your rower, depending on your experience level, and how close you want your rower to approximate the real deal of muscling it out on the water. Any opportunities to adjust the levels of resistance, or drag factor, are ideal for variation, Kamphuis says. And while any of these rowers will give you a killer workout, some are more equipped for comfort with cushy seats and wide handlebars.
More high-tech variations of rowers will come with Bluetooth, WiFi, LCD touchscreen displays, and the opportunities to row along to live workouts or sync up to other machines. Others will display advanced stats like your power curve (how you apply force during a stroke), give you the opportunity to gamify your experience by racing to the finish along with real or simulated regattas, and sync up to apps to help optimize your performance. Deciding to upgrade to a smarter or pricier rowing machine will all boil down to what kind of workout you're hoping to accomplish, Mog says, between cardiovascular training and training for rowing or erg competitions.
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