Best Rowing Machines to Add to Your Home Gym – CNET
Best Rowing Machines to Add to Your Home Gym - CNET
There are few full-body workouts as effective as what you can get from a rowing machine. With a slight variation in your body movements, you can target muscle groups in your arms, legs, back and of course your core. Rowing machines also provide a good cardio workout in as little as 15 minutes, making them highly effective for those who don’t always have a ton of time. And if time is the thing you are looking to get more of, you could always skip the gym entirely and put a rowing machine in your home. A single machine can make a big difference for multiple people in a home, they are designed to be easily stored at home, thanks to most of them having convenient folding frames.
These rowing machines are our top picks for this year.
James Martin/CNET
Rowing machines have evolved in design over the years. Now you have smart rowing machines like the Peloton Row, which are a step up from traditional rowers. We tested different models to determine the best rowing machines on the market. Here are our top picks for rowing machines to keep in your home.
Factors to consider
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SpaceMake sure you have enough space— lengthwise and widthwise—to hold a rowing machine.
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Storage spaceConsider if you need to be able to store the rower upright or if there is enough room to spare.
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Compatible with all usersIf multiple people are going to be using the machine, make sure it’s user-friendly for all heights and fitness levels.
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PriceRowing machines can be expensive. Determine if your budget fits a standard or high-tech rower.
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Types of rowersThere are various rowing machine styles to pick from such as hydraulic, flywheel, water and magnetic.
Best rowing machines
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The Echelon Row-S is the best rowing machine for beginners.
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The Echelon Row-S is the best rowing machine for beginners.
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The Echelon Row-S is the best rowing machine for beginners.
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The Echelon Row-S is the best rowing machine for beginners.
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The Echelon Row-S is the ideal rowing machine if you’re a rowing beginner. Assembly was easy enough that only one person was needed to put it together. It’s not the fanciest looking machine, but it felt sturdy and smooth and got the job done. I found it less intimidating than the smart rowers and appreciated parts of its design, like the handle’s protective covering to prevent blisters. I also liked the footplate design the most of all the rowing machines because it felt intuitive to use the fastener straps.
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Most “budget” rowers mean sacrificing something important, like quality displays or software features or the quality of material. Hydrow, which already makes one of our favorite rowers, has put on a master class in subtly trimming away hardware to make something in a couple of ways could be seen as improvements. The Hydrow Wave is lighter and more compact without sacrificing its maximum height and weight capacity. There’s a stainless-steel track with a nearly perfectly silent fly wheel, makes it quieter than most unless you’re the type to shout as you row. It’s got a 16-inch screen instead of a 22-inch screen, but the same 1080p resolution which means this smaller display is actually slightly clearer than the more expensive model. The one big feature Hydrow Wave is missing compared to the premium model is the adjustable neck on the rower — which, if I’m being totally honest, I didn’t notice for the first few days of use and can’t say I’ve personally needed.
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Peloton Row is Peloton’s latest smart rowing machine.
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Peloton Row is Peloton’s latest smart rowing machine.
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Peloton has revolutionized rowing machines by creating the Peloton Row. It’s the first smart rowing machine that teaches you how to row and corrects your form. I will admit the price tag was higher than I anticipated and at $3,195, it’s the most expensive rowing machine on this list. However, there’s no denying the features found in the Peloton Row are impressive.
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The Hydrow is our pick for a luxury rowing machine.
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The Hydrow is our pick for a luxury rowing machine.
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The Hydrow is our pick for a luxury rowing machine.
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The Hydrow is our pick for a luxury rowing machine.
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If you don’t mind spending a little more on a rowing machine then you’ll love the Hydrow. While testing rowing machines, I got input from the CNET Wellness team and we collectively agreed that Hydrow was a smooth and high quality rowing machine. Not only does Hydrow look sleek and futuristic, even the stride feels smoother and natural.
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Aviron Impact Series is the best rowing machine for gamers.
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Aviron Impact Series is the best rowing machine for gamers.
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Aviron Impact Series is the best rowing machine for gamers.
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Aviron Impact Series is the best rowing machine for gamers.
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Aviron offers two types of rowers to choose from: the Aviron Impact Series and Aviron Tough Series rower. For this review, I tested the Aviron Impact Series version. Aviron gives a unique spin to indoor rowing with its interactive workout programs. This is especially appealing if you enjoy video games. The machine’s resistance is made up of dual air and magnetic resistance. It is one of the lighter machines on the list, weighing only 97 pounds (43.9 kg), and its base folds upright for easy storage. Another thing to note is that you’ll want to place your rower in an area with strong Wi-Fi connection to get the best gaming experience.
