Indoor rowing machines provide a low impact, full body workout that’s excellent for your heart and your waistline. However, actually choosing a rowing machine can be difficult simply because there are so many different types available. That’s why we’re here to help you sort through your options to choose the perfect rowing machine for you.

3 Minutes, 3 Key Decisions

• Key Decision 1: Resistance Type
• Key Decision 2: Workout Programming
• Key Decision 3: Heart Rate Measurement
• Key Decision 4: Grade

Quality and Value

Rowing Machine Accessories

Key Decision 1: Resistance Type

An indoor rowing machine’s type of resistance does more than just give your muscles a force to work against. It also determines how closely the machine simulates the actual motion of rowing. Most rowers feature one of five main types of resistance, each of which offers its own unique set of benefits, including affordability, smoothness of motion and ease of storage.

Piston- An excellent choice for beginning rowers, piston rowing machines feature small, compact hydraulic pistons attached to each of their arms to generate resistance. While piston rowing machines provide a less authentic rowing motion, they’re usually more budget-friendly and easier to store away. View Piston Rowing Machines

Magnetic - Magnetic rowing machines generate resistance through the use of electromagnets. Although magnetic rowing machines aren’t as easy to store away as piston rowers, they allow you to adjust the level of resistance and provide a quieter, smoother rowing motion.
View Magnetic Rowing Machines

Air - Air rowing machines automatically adjust their level of resistance based on your speed. While some users may find them a bit noisy, air rowing machines provide a smooth rowing motion that makes them highly popular, especially among off-season professional rowers.
View Air Rowing Machines

Water – Like air rowers, water rowing machines automatically change their resistance level according to your pace. However, water rowers also feature a central water tank that lets you increase or decrease the pressure, which makes them the best type of rower to simulate actual rowing.
View Water Rowing Machines

Key Decision 2: Workout Programming

Like many other types of exercise equipment, more sophisticated indoor rowing machines include advanced programming. From interactive rowers to those with preset programs or readout monitoring, these rowing machines can help you get a personalized, more effective workout.

Preset Programs - Rowing machines with preset workout programs set your distance and control your pace based on which program you select. These rowers offer greater exercise variety and are an excellent primary exercise machine for indoor fitness year round
View Rowing Machines with Preset Programs

Readout Monitor Only - Many popular rowing machines feature a readout monitor instead of preset workout programs. These rowers provide a more natural workout because they let you exercise at your own pace while they track your time, speed and distance.
View Rowing Machines with Readout Monitors

Interactive Programs - These sophisticated rowers feature interactive fitness software and video games. And, the rowing machine itself functions as your controller so that you can interact with the game or software as you exercise, keeping you actively engaged throughout your workout.
View Interactive Programs

Key Decision 3: Heart Rate Measurement

Reaching and maintaining your target heart rate is key to getting the most out of your workout. And to help you keep the best pace, many of today’s more advanced rowing machines feature either built-in heart rate monitoring or can be outfitted with a heart rate monitoring system.

Telemetry - Telemetry heart rate monitoring is one of the most precise ways to monitor your heart rate as you exercise. By wearing a wireless device that measures your heart rate and transmits it to the monitor, you get a reliable, accurate reading while enjoying a full range of motion.
View Rowing Machines with Telemetry Heart Rate Monitoring

Hand Grip - Some rowers feature heart rate monitoring sensors built in to their hand grips that measure your heart rate as you exercise. While this may be less accurate than telemetry heart rate monitoring, it does allow a full range of motion without wearing a device.
View Rowing Machines with Hand Grip Heart Rate Monitoring

None - Many of the more straightforward rowers feature neither built-in heart rate monitoring nor the option of adding it. These rowing machines are often more budget-friendly and are ideal for beginners and those who already have a preferred method of monitoring their heart rate.
View Rowing Machines without Heart Rate Monitoring

Key Decision 4: Grade

Like most fitness equipment, an indoor rowing machine’s grade indicates its primary type of working environment. And, because each rowing machine is engineered to withstand a certain level of use, it’s important to choose a rowing machine with the appropriate grade.

Residential - Designed for home use only, residential home rowing machines are typically lighter, more compact and easier to store away when not in use. Residential rowing machines are more likely to last longer when used as personal rowers only.
View Residential Rowing Machines

Light Commercial - Many popular rowing machines feature a readout monitor instead of preset workout programs. These rowers provide a more natural workout because they let you exercise at your own pace while they track your time, speed and distance.
View Light Commercial Rowing Machines

Commercial - Commercial indoor rowing machines are built specifically to withstand continuous use by a variety of users. Most commercial rowers also feature a higher weight capacity and depending on the model, more options such as preset programs and readout monitors.
View Commercial Rowing Machines

Quality and Value

Indoor rowing machines are among the most affordable pieces of fitness equipment you can choose. And choosing the best rower you can afford can go a long way towards making sure it provides you with the right number of options and the best workout possible.

Under $500 - Select one of these straightforward home rowing machines or light commercial rowers for an affordable, full body workout.
View Rowing Machines under $500

$500-$1,000 - Expand your options to include more resistance types such as magnetic rowing machines, air rowers, water rowers and more for greater options and durability.
View Rowing Machines from $500-$1000

Over $1,000 - Invest in one of these premium home rowing machines, light commercial rowing machines or commercial rowers for the perfect balance of style, sophistication and quality.
View Rowing Machines over $1000

Rowing Machine Accessories

As with most home exercise equipment, choosing a rowing machine is just the first step towards putting together the perfect fitness area. Adding the right rowing machine accessories can help you create your perfect workout area, keep your rower in top condition and truly get the most out of your investment.