8 Indoor Rowing Machines for Boosting Cardiovascular Health and Strength at Home
Get a two-for-one workout from the comfort of your living room with one of these smooth, smart machines.
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Indoor rowing is an effective low-impact exercise that combines both cardio and strength in each workout. And contrary to what some believe about it being an upper-body-focused workout because you’re pulling a handle, rowing is actually a full-body routine that engages the legs, back, glutes, arms, core, and more.
Rowing is the perfect cross-training tool for runners, too, because it’s low-impact. (If you’ve never tried rowing before, it’s relatively easy to do and can be learned fairly quickly. Here’s how to do it correctly with proper form.) Plus, if you number among the countless people who canceled their gym memberships this year, investing in a rower means you can work out in the comfort and safety of your own home; most models can even be folded up or rolled under a bed or into a closet for easy storage.
Whether you’re a purist who wants to hear the swoosh of water as you row or a group workout enthusiast who prefers pop music and instruction, there’s an indoor rower out there for you. Here are some of our favorites, each with unique features and details. Look to our in depth reviews to help choose the one that fits your specific workout wants and needs.
Best Rowing Machines
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What to Consider
Rowing machines are all going to function pretty much the same. The biggest difference will be the mechanism by which they provide resistance. The most popular types are air, water, and magnetic, and most will have adjustable resistance, though some bare bones options may have just one resistance setting.
Since rowing machines are pretty simple, you don't need all the bells and whistles to get a great workout. But some higher end models do have the benefit of instructor-led workouts, smoother rowing, and even on-demand classes on and off the rower.
How We Chose
To find the best rowing machines among the many options on the market, we researched the most popular models available as well as used our own experience testing rowing machines. We considered price, features, resistance, size, and versatility, and looked at both expert reviews and more than 20,000 customer ratings, written by people who’ve bought these models on sites like Amazon, Nordictrack, and more to determine the best rowing machines to buy right now.
Looking for some more great low impact exercises? Check out our favorite ellipticals and stationary bikes.
Pros
- Sleek design
- Smooth operation
Cons
- Expensive
- Additional membership for classes
Let this sleek rower transport you onto the river from your living room—you can actually row along to a video of the water with this unique model. The rower runs off of an electromagnetic and computer-controlled system, making each drive or stroke you take feel smooth and quiet.
On the screen, choose whether you want to just row along a scenic route, take an on-demand class when it fits with your schedule, or join a live class with athletes actually on the water; class membership is sold separately and costs $38 per month.
With your purchase of a class membership, you'll also get access to yoga, Pilates, and strength training workouts, which you can do off the machine. If you want to track your progress, you can do so by downloading the accompanying Hydrow app.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 86 x 25 x 47 inches |
|---|---|
| Weight Limit | 375 pounds |
| Additional Features | Great on-water simulation; quiet; yoga, Pilates, and strength classes available with membership |
Pros
- Easy to store
- Adjustable screen
Cons
- Some customers complain volume is too quiet
Adjust the 22-inch HD touchscreen, set the damper level, strap your feet in, and get ready to row with this NordicTrack rowing machine. With this model, you can choose to do your own intervals or take a class from the extensive iFit library.
You can even stream a class that combines both rowing and off-rower strength exercises from iFit's 250-plus on-demand workouts; iFit membership is sold separately for $15 per month.
You’ll love how easy it is to turn the screen when you move on and off the rower, too. Once you’re on the machine, you can manually adjust the resistance control with on-screen buttons. When you’re finished, simply fold up the rower and store it in the corner of your room.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 86 x 22 x 37 inches |
|---|---|
| Weight Limit | 250 pounds |
| Additional Features | Classes with on- and off-rower exercises; resistance controlled on 22-inch touchscreen |
Pros
- Classes for both on and off the rower
- Pairs with bluetooth headphones
Cons
- Some testers had issue with internet connection
If you love the smooth sound of water while you row, the CITYROW Go Max is the perfect piece of fitness equipment to add to your home gym. In fact, add in a yoga mat and a couple of hand weights, and you’ve basically built a home gym with one high-tech device.
Pick from thousands of on-demand classes on the 19.5-inch touchscreen, pop in a pair of Bluetooth earbuds to drown out your roommates/children/family, and you’ll feel like you’re back in the studio. The on-demand classes are the pièce de résistance of the CITYROW rowing machines. With more than six years of boutique studio experience and proprietary machines, the brand’s expertise in creating masterful classes is unparalleled.
You can filter classes by experience level (from newbie to pro), length of time, and type (they offer HIIT, strength, endurance, cardio, yoga, and “just row” classes). Plus, new classes are added weekly.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 83 x 22 x 20 inches |
|---|---|
| Weight Limit | 375 pounds |
| Additional Features | On-demand classes; weekly classes; 19.5-inch touchscreen |
Model D Indoor Rowing Machine
Pros
- Tracks and saves results over time
- Stands upright for storage
Cons
- Display looks a bit outdated
Chances are, you’ve seen this Concept2 model in a gym before, as it’s one of the best-selling indoor rowing machines on the market—and it’s perfect for at-home workouts, too. The monitor will track your pace, watts, stroke rate, and calories burned, and it automatically saves your results so you can compare how you're doing from session to session.
The machine also offers pre-programmed workouts that focus on time, distance, or intervals. When you’re done using the machine, it’s light enough to flip up (on your own) against a wall for easy storage.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 96 x 24 x 14 inches |
|---|---|
| Weight Limit | 500 pounds |
| Additional Features | Pre-programmed workouts; flips up to store |
Pros
- High quality, luxury feel
- Very smooth pull
Cons
- No resistance levels
This is a perfect pick for purists who want to escape screens. Made out of ash wood (which helps absorb sound and vibrations) and stained in rose gold and black, this machine is as attractive as it is functional.
Adjust the footpads to your size, strap in, and grab the padded handle to begin rowing against water resistance. The paddle that cups the water creates a smooth stroke, so you won’t experience any of the jerking common with rowers that operate using a chain. And the harder you work, the more resistance or drag you’ll create, meaning you’ll be ramping up the intensity as you go, giving you a personalized experience that leaves you in complete control of your workout.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 20 x 82 x 22 inches |
|---|---|
| Frame Finish | 700 pounds |
| Frame Material | Beautiful wooden design; quiet when in use |
Pros
- Beautiful wooden frame
- Realistic on-water feel
Cons
- Class membership sold separately
If live workouts or streaming sessions with chatty trainers don’t do it for you, this rower may be for you. It does have guided workouts but instead of trainer led classes, it has gamified workouts which feel more like sitting down with your Xbox than an exercise machine. If you have rowed in the past, you’ll love the water resistance, which adjusts with your effort to make rowing easier or more difficult, depending on the power you generate, and feels quite realistic to the experience of being on a body of water. However, membership to classes is sold separately and costs $29 per month.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 86 x 23 x 40 inches |
|---|---|
| Weight Limit | 500 pounds |
| Additional Features | Unique workouts; 17-inch touchscreen |
Pros
- Very affordable
- Keeps track of key stats
Cons
- Low weight limit
This rower automatically adjusts the tension on its air resistance wheel depending on your effort level, ensuring you're getting the most of every workout. Air powered models like this one are the least susceptible to breaking from wear, and pose the least need for maintenance.
The easy-to-read monitor tracks distance, speed, time, strokes per minute, and calories burned, so you can also see your key stats. As things start to get sweaty, you’ll appreciate the textured handle, which allows you to keep a firm grip.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 73.5 x 18.25 x 22 Inches |
|---|---|
| Weight Limit | 54 lbs |
| Additional Features | auto-adjustable resistance |
Pros
- Great features for the price
- Very quiet
Cons
- On-demand classes sold separately
This rower allows you to turn your workout into a social activity or just go solo, depending on your mood. On this machine, you can follow your own intervals, row for a set period of time, or enroll in an iFit membership and row along with instructors and take classes (iFit memberships are sold separately and cost $15 per month). Some classes even feature an interactive component where you can give the instructor the ability to control your resistance.
Better yet, every workout you do is saved by the machine, making it easy to keep track of your progress. The rower uses magnetic resistance, so it’s extremely quiet if you like to row while others are working or sleeping.
Key Specs
| Dimensions | 22 x 86.5 x 45.5 inches |
|---|---|
| Weight Limit | 250 pounds |
| Additional Features | 30-day iFit membership included; Bluetooth enabled |
Before joining Runner's World, Gabrielle Hondorp spent 6 years in running retail (she has tested top gear from shoes, to watches, to rain jackets which has expanded her expertise—and her closets); she specializes in health and wellness, and is an expert on running gear from head-to-toe. Gabi began her journalism career as a Digital Editorial Fellow for Runner’s World and Bicycling Magazine, and has since advanced to a Runner's World Editor specializing in commerce. She has a double degree in English and Media and Communication from Muhlenberg College where she also ran cross country and track.
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