How to buy the best rowing machine

Indoor rowing machines can help you work almost all your muscle groups without having to go anywhere near a river or lake. 

Whether you’re new to rowing or you’re a more seasoned rower looking for some out-of-water training, our research shows you don’t need to spend a fortune to get your hands on a model that will give you a great workout.

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How to buy the best rowing machine for home use

First, decide on your budget. Cheaper machines can be a solid choice, but they can be noisy and typically don't use the realistic water-based resistance mechanism that higher-end models do. Spend more and you’ll typically get a longer-lasting machine with more resistance levels and smoother strokes.

Space is an important factor to consider when picking your rowing machine. They’re pretty bulky and you’ll need enough room at the back for your elbows, as well ensuring the fan doesn’t blow directly onto a wall.

Looking to improve your fitness at home? Get started with our expert guide on how to set up a home gym.

Rowing machine benefits 

Rowing machines are good for an all-round workout. Here's why:

• Low-impact cardio – great for people with existing joint problems.
• Weight loss – rowing burns around 600 to 1,000 calories an hour.
• Increased strength and muscle tone – rowing works around 85% of your muscles.
• Improve your posture – you have to sit upright to pull correctly.
• Increased stamina – you can do either high intensity or long, steady workouts.  

See also our pick of the best exercise bikes, best treadmills and best walking pads and under desk treadmills

How much should you expect to pay for a rowing machine?

Cheap rowing machines, around £100

You can get own-brand rowing machines for around £100 if you look hard enough. Check user reviews before you buy though – in some cases you might find the quality isn't great.  

If you're a rowing beginner, it might be wise to try out machines at your local gym first to ensure that it's something you're keen to invest in and will enjoy using. You can also figure out the features you definitely want (though home-use machines may not have quite as much on offer as gym-based ones).

Mid-range rowing machines, £100-£750

Most mid-range rowing machines, costing between £100 and £750, will use either air or magnetic resistance to create tension for you. 

You'll get a few more features than on sub-£100 models, such as a selection of resistance options and pre-set programs, but you typically won't get the durable, solid build or high-spec monitors and tracking capabilities available with high-end rowing machines.  

Some lower-priced machines also have shorter seat rails (the rails that the seat moves back and forward on as you row), so double check that the measurements will allow your legs to straighten fully if you’re tall.

High-end rowing machines, £750+

For this price you should be able to get a sturdy machine that’s quiet, offers varying levels of resistance and a monitor that will track your workouts and display every exercise metric you can think of.

You'll also get a greater variety of resistance options, including models with water-resistance – this uses a tank to mimic the drag effect of real-life rowing.

One of the most expensive rowing machines we’ve seen is the TechnoGym Skillrow (available direct from TechnoGym) which will set you back more than £4,000.

For this you’ll get both air and magnetic resistance so you can switch up training techniques. It also has a huge monitor that connects to an app on your phone, allows you to race against friends, take part in online coaching and set up individual user accounts to record your workouts and remember your preferences – great if you’re sharing the machine.

How much space do you need for a rowing machine?

Rowing machines are one of the most space-consuming pieces of exercise equipment, measuring around 2.5m x 0.6m (8ft x 2ft), so you’ll need a good-sized space to work out in. 

Make sure you factor in some room around the machine for your arms and elbows, as well as room either side of the fan so it’s not blowing directly against the wall.

If you don’t have a dedicated gym area at home and need to store your rowing machine away between uses, you’ll need to make sure you have the space to move it around. Some rowers will fold up for easier storage, though realistically this may be quite a faff to do regularly.

Popular types of rowing machine

Rowing machines use difference resistance types to create tension for you to pull against:

Hydraulic rowing machines

Hydraulic rowing machines get their tension from the air or fluid that's compressed in a piston, which can be adjusted. 

The fixed handles of these machines only allow you to pull in a straight line, whereas most machines have handles attached to a wire that let you more naturally replicate the movement of oars in and out of the water. 

Pros

• Great exercise for your upper body
• Cheap and compact

Cons

• Restricted movement limits the muscles you can work on
• Focused more on building strength rather than offering a cardiovascular workout

Corded rowing machines 

Corded rowing machines get their resistance from elastic bands with varying tensions. The levels of resistance will depend on the machine. 

Pros

• Tend to be cheaper than air, magnetic or water rowers
• Great for beginners

Cons

• Resistance won’t increase the harder or faster you pull, which can limit muscle gain

Magnetic resistance rowing machines

Magnetic resistance operates by moving a magnet closer or farther from a metal flywheel. The closer it is, the greater the resistance (you change the settings to increase or decrease resistance).

Pros

• Relatively inexpensive
• Smooth strokes
• Quieter than air resistance

Cons

• Can be slightly heavier
• Some need to be plugged in
• Resistance won’t increase the harder or faster you pull, which can limit muscle gain

Air resistance rowing machines

Air rowing machines use the flywheel to generate resistance as you pull back. The resistance will become greater, the harder and faster you pull.

Pros

• Replicates the experience of rowing on water more closely than magnetic resistance
• Fairly lightweight
• The console can be extremely accurate because it monitors the exact drag being given to the flywheel

Cons

• Can be noisy
• Variable resistance depending on rowing speed means they may be better suited to focused rowing sessions than a gentle row in front of the TV

Water resistance rowing machines

Water rowing machines are designed to emulate a boat moving through the water. The resistance is created through the water dragging through the tank.

Pros

• Very realistic workout
• Extremely quiet
• Resistance increases the faster and harder you row

Cons

• Typically very expensive

The WaterRower is the original water rowing machine. It's fairly pricey but you get a realistic stroke, it looks great and you can digitally record and store all your workout information. 

You can buy the WaterRower natural rowing machine at Powerhouse Fitness or see the entire range at the WaterRower website. 

Rowing machine features to look for

• Manual or electric – most rowing machines are manual and their displays run on a battery, but do double check. If it needs to be plugged in you’ll need space to work out near a plug socket.
• Display monitor – nearly every rowing machine will show basic information such as time, distance, strokes, calories and rpm. But spending more will get you personalised options such as average intensity and split time.
• Workout tracker – some smart rowing machines will connect to an app on your phone so you can record and track your fitness journey.  
• Interactive coaching – to help with your rowing technique.
• Pre-programmed workouts – the console will mimic different types of rowing to give variety or work on specific areas.
• Foldable – great if you plan to keep your machine stowed away when you’re not using it.
• Weight capacity – you used to have to pay a fortune for a high weight capacity rowing machine but now there are plenty of options for heavier users. Cheaper machines are likely to have a lower weight capacity.
• Comfortable seat – check the seat is big enough for you to sit on comfortably. It should also be grooved or designed to conform with the shape of your body and have plenty of cushioning.
• Seat rail – if you’re over 6ft tall, make sure the seat rail is long enough otherwise you won’t be able to complete a full stroke.
• Wheels – will help if you plan to regularly move your machine
• Pedals – some will be fixed, while others will swivel to release pressure off your ankles
• Handles – should feel fairly thick in your hands, with a foam grip.

Popular rowing machines

We've used search data for inspiration on popular rowing machine models. We haven't tested these machines in our labs yet, but they come from established brands and meet our buying criteria.

Concept2 RowErg rowing machine

• Air resistance rower
• 10 levels of resistance
• Dimensions: 106.5cm x 61cm x 244cm (H x W x D)

The RowErg is similar to the types of rowing machines you'd find in a gym – so similar, that it's often the same model. 

This model has exercise programs built into the monitor and you can track workouts on it. It uses a chain pull-cord, which won't fray over years of use.

It can fold for storing, but it's still a huge machine. 

Compare prices below: 

WaterRower Original rowing machine

• Water resistance rowing machine
• Cannot manually set resistance
• Dimensions: 53cm x 56cm x 210cm (H x W x D)

This popular rower uses a water tank to simulate what it's like to really row a boat. The flywheel uses fluid drag in the water tank to self-regulate resistance levels, like you would in a real boat.

The built-in monitor doesn't have any pre-set workouts, but you can use a companion app to store workout data, 'race' against others, and it can recommend workouts. You can't fold this one for storage, but it's heavy enough (50kg) for you to stand it upright when it's not in use.

Just watch out for any water leaking.

Pick it up from John Lewis (£1,099), or WaterRower (£1,099)

MERACH Magnetic rowing machine

• Magnetic resistance rower
• 16 levels of resistance
• Dimensions: 63cm x 48cm x 165cm (H x W x D)

This magnetic rower is much lighter on the wallet than other popular choices, but that doesn't make it light on features. You can use a companion app to track workouts, utilise workout programs, and hit recommended training goals.

Keep in mind that this model uses a belt to move the flywheel, and it's not uncommon for these types to start fraying after lots of use. There is also a self-powered model available, but it costs £100 more than the standard machine.

Compare prices below: 

Where to buy a rowing machine

Both generalist retailers and dedicated rowing shops offer a wide range of machines.

To make sure you're buying a rowing machine that's well built and safe to use, only shop with trusted sellers online or in-store.

Ideally, you'd try out a rowing machine in-store before buying, but if this isn’t an option, find out as much information about the machine as possible before investing (and the retailer's returns policy!).

Popular shops that sell rowing machines include:

• Amazon
• Argos
• Decathlon
• Fitness Superstore
• JTX Fitness
• Fitshop
• Sportstech

Discover the best shops to buy from, based on thousands of shoppers' experiences.  And for more details on shopping online safely and arranging refunds for faulty equipment, see our online shopping advice

How to use a rowing machine

Rowing with poor form will not only give you worse results, but can also cause injuries.

Stay safe and improve the effectiveness of your workouts with these rowing tips.

• Sit up straight: make sure you don't hunch your back while rowing. Hunching will mean your shoulders are left doing all the work and could lead to an injury.
• Keep your arms below the chin: when you pull the handles back, make sure they don't come up to your chin. For the most efficient and effective stroke, bring the handles to just below your chest.
• Don't drop your knees: if your knees are dropped to the side you won't be working your inner thighs or hips properly. Finish each stroke with your knees in line with your hips. 
• Strap in your feet: make sure you strap your feet in correctly. The  strap should sit directly above the ball of your foot and you should be able to easily flex your toes.  

We've tested the best massage guns from Homedics, Pulsio, Renpho, Theragun and more to find the best for soothing sore muscles and post-run recovery.

How we selected prices and retailers

Retailers and gym equipment chosen based on popular UK search terms and availability.

Prices correct as of November 2024 and obtained from the manufacturer's own website where possible; otherwise, obtained from third-party retailers listed on Google Shopping.