Should I invest in a rowing machine?

I thought I would invest in buying myself a new rowing machine are in 2020. To behold, rowing machines have evolved quite considerably with computer measures and software to help you train. Some 30 years ago, if I recall correctly, there were only three different types available to choose. How things have changed.

I realized that I needed to do a bit of research to find the best rowing machine for home myself. So this is my research gathered from a range of resources, including the professional trainer, athlete, trailing all the products.

I hope you enjoy this information and review of some of the more popular rowing machines for home.

Why a home rowing machine?

For me, I consider the rowing machine one of the best indoor physical exercises that improves your cardio, strength, flexibility with a significantly reduced chance of getting injured. It is hard to find a workout that works on almost every single body muscle group. From the calves all the way to the forearms. Virtually no muscle group is missed.

One other thing that I like about it, you can’t tip over in the water!

How long have Rowing machines been around?

Even though the first rowing machine was built as far back as 400BC, the first patented rowing machines were not until 1872 by a W.B. Curtis. Mr. Curtis’s rowing machine used a flywheel design. It was not till the early 1900s were rowing machines took a significant leap forward in design, predominately due to rowing at colleges and universities become a popular competitive sport.

This competitive streak amongst universities brought out the ingenuity to design and build the best rowing machine to get an edge on their competitors. This allowed the athletes to train off the water during poor weather conditions and off-season training.

The earlier machines, as expected, were fundamental compared to those of today. They were not portable and required a significant amount of space. The essential deficiency in the early rowing machines was the lack of consistent resistance in the rowing actions.

The moderisation era of rowing machines

In the early 1980s, rowing machines escalated in popularity across the globe. Not only as a training aid for rowers but as well for gyms and well as home rowing machines.

With this increase in popularity, inventors started to look for new ways to build the best rowing machines for all types of environments and needs. The modern-day rowing machines come in many different forms, and many have some fantastic innovative training aids to help improve your fitness. One that comes to mind is the visual computer screens that you use to motivate yourself while you are training, showing statistics of your heart rate, cadence, and other information.

When I first bought my first rowing machine in the late 1980s, the price of units has dramatically reduced in cost. The actual dollar value that I bought my original one is equivalent to one of the most expensive ones in the market place.

Can rowing machines improve further?

Rowing machines have evolved with many types to meet people’s various needs. The reliability, the engineering is all second the none.
What I see as being improving is the measurements and feedback you will have while you are doing your workout.

Even though rowing machines are low risk of getting an injury, you are still able to hurt yourself through poor technique or overexertion or overstraining. With the use of a camera, computers, body trackers, heart rate monitors, and sophisticated applications, the rowing machine will provide real-time feedback to the person about their rowing technique and form

Health benefits of rowing machines

Unlike almost all other fitness machines, like climbing machines, step machines, and treadmill, it is one that exercises the full body. After extensive measurements of people, it has been found that the energy at the following rates for the specific areas of the body is;

The rowing machine, in my view, is the best way to build and tone your muscles as well as developing core strength, overall strength, build endurance, anaerobic and aerobic fitness, and increase cardiovascular performance.

Increase the calorie burn for the same time of exercise

Let s compare the 60-minute calorie burn rate for an average person for different exercise regimes. Below is an extract from Harvard Health from their in-depth analysis of various exercises.

The rowing machine is of the best exercises to tone-up and slimming down

Get the Endorphin rush and feel good
Want to feel good?

Why not do it naturally by stimulating your endorphins? Endorphins reduce pain and boost pleasure. Endorphins are known to alleviate depression, reduces stress, lowers anxiety, book self-esteem.

Avoidance of joint injuries

Joint and muscular injuries are universal for overweight people. For those people having an exercise routine that is low impact and avoid muscle strain is extremely important.

The joint and muscular injuries are caused by the weight places extreme stress on all body parts. Unfortunately, joint and muscular injuries stop people from doing exercise, which has a downward spirally effect on their health.

Well, the rowing machine workouts has an extremely low impact on joints!

Building Peak Staying Power

Having good oxygen flow to all your body builds tissue and cell efficiency that, in turn, improves overall stamina. There is no other workout like a row machine workout that circulates blood throughout the body.

By increasing stamina, it reduces fatigue. (Note: Stamina is different from endurance. Stamina is being at your peak for a given time.)

Stamina is built by combing cardio, strength, and endurance training. The all of body rowing machine workout indeed combines all these necessary components.

Mental Meditation on rowing machines

Doing a rowing machine workout is repetitive. In most, it needs little concentration. It is effortless to get into the “Zone” once you have mastered all the techniques and have some confidence in using the rowing machines. The noise made by all the row machines, the low volume whooshing noise.

Reduction of neighbors stress

Exercising at home can be quiet noisy. If you are living in close confines, this may cause you stress because neighbors complain. The rowing machine is low noise.

Watch your Rowing Machine Form

It looks relatively simple to use the rowing machine. Yes, it is. Notwithstanding this, the row machine form should be carefully observed to avoid unnecessary injuries.

A few things to consider when training on a rowing machine. Speed and rushing through strokes is not the most efficient or effective strength exercise. It’s more around making every stroke count.

There are ample available videos on the internet to show you how to properly rowing. I particularly like the one produced by Concept2.

My suggestion is to video yourself to see your actions.

Types of Rowing Machines available

When I started looking at, which is the best rowing machine for myself would be, I began to understand the pros and cons of the different types of rowing machines.

I found that there were four different main types of rowing machines. 

1.  Water
2. Air
3. Magnets
4. Hydraulic pistons

Water-resistance rowing machines

As the name implies, the rowing machines use water as the resistance mechanism. Rowers say these rowing machines are the closest to that of rowing on the water.

The water resistance row machine has a water tank with paddles inside the unit. It provides the swishing and splashing noise as well.

For those who do rowing as an outdoor activity, as it is the most closely emulates the rowing feels and actions on the water.

Typically these are the most expensive

Air-Resistant Rowing Machines

The air resistant row machines, or air rowers, use air as its resistance. It has fan blades as the mechanism. Typically, there is a vent that you adjust the opening to modify the level of resistance on the rowing actions. The resistance goes harder as you pull harder.

The rowers that I spoke to felt that the air rowers had a water sensation when using the exercise machine. I found they are particularly popular for home rowing machines by competitive rowers.

Magnetic rowing machine

Can you hear me train on the rowing machine? No. It must be a magnetic rowing machine. Yes, it is the quietest of all the various types of rowing machines.

The magnetic rowing machine works using electromagnets close to the flywheel to place frictionless resistance on the flywheel. These row machines would have a number of settings to adjust for your own personal resistance level.

Using a magnetic rowing machine had some degree of real-life rowing experience.

Magnetic row machines tend to be more durable than hydraulic row machines.

Flywheel Rowing Machines

As the name implies, it works using a heavy flywheel with blades attached to use air for resistance. As the flywheel speeds up, there is more resistance.

This configuration provides very real-life rowing actions where you place the blades into the water. The harder you pull, the more resistance.

I didn’t really understand the difference between flywheel and air-resistance rowing machines. I think it is more of a marketing ploy.

Hydraulic/Piston Rowing machines

The piston rowing machine was designed purely on providing a low-cost budget weary exercise rowing machine. It does have its place in the market

This resistance is created on compressing an oil-filled or air-filled cylinder. The compression levels can be adjusted to make resistance easier or more difficult.

Most hydraulic rowing machines cannot synchronize the simultaneous arm and leg motions.

The cylinders on the hydraulic rowing machines tend to fail from overuse.

Summary of Rowing Machine Types

Below is a summary of key plus and minus of r each type of resistance tyechnology.

What type of Rowing Machine should I Get?

Then the question about selecting the actual rowing machines. I came up with the following questions to use in my evaluation. I have placed them in my personal of preference

1. Feel of unit
2. Noise
3. Computer measurement and simulation
4. Viewability of the screen (my eye sight is going)
5. Comfort
6. Quality -durability
7. Value for money
8. Complexity of use
9. Stability
10. Storage

These are all very personal. You should decide on your own priority.

The assembly is fairly straight forward.  The foot straps could do withe strengthening.

There is no feel of being a a ‘true rowing” simulation machine.  It does give you a good work out, if that is what you are looking out for.

The display is fairly basic.

This a very good entry level unit.

One of the nice things about the machine is that it is so compact and light to transport.   It will do the job of exercising your body..

It would be good if it had blue tooth capability.

It is not really meant to be packed away, even though the manual says so.

You really cannot go wrong if you are seriously thinking about getting an overall body fitness. You will not need to go to the gym, especially if you had some weights at home.

In this Concept2 Rowing Machine review it was had to find a fault of the equipment.  The only suggestion is to have a larger  monitor with blue tooth connectivity for music and visual stimulation.

The LCD screen in larger than many of the other units that I really liked.

The units were stable when using it at different rowing rates.

It does take more maintenance than flywheels as the water needs to be cleaned to avoid mold.

It is a well-priced product for those in this price bracket.

I wouldn’t try the high-end products as they are in a different league.

This is an excellent introductory rowing machine for those who are going to test themselves on whether they are going to keep using it regularly.

It particularly liked the monitoring system, with all the features,  though I did find it hard to read with my aging eyes with my glasses and sweat.   The preset program has been well thought out and is useful in the use of the equipment.

Some concerns about the longevity of the cable, the comfort of the seat ,  as well the stability if a larger person using the equipment.

Some of the shortfalls include not being really suitable if you are over 6 ft it and or over 180lb, have large hands, may not work well for those who like to vigorous rowing on a regular basis and little concerned with the robustness of the plastic coverings.

I did like the height of the pulley as it felt a good level to get the most of the workout, The screen I found a feature as the characters where large enough to read with my legs stretch out.

Like with most of the Stamina products, it has only a 90-day parts warranty. For this price point, you would expect much better.

It has an extra-long slide that can suit people up to 6 ft 5”. It has some novel accessories like a phone holder.

I did find I was slipping on the seat when I was rowing vigorously.

Overall, it is a good introductory machine for smaller sized people.

There are some other redeeming features such as; the seat is comfortable, there is a strong frame that is good for large people, the pedals are good for large feet, it is easy to assemble as well as storing the unit and the wireless heart rate monitor (strap not included in price).

One of the significant issues for me is the poor warranty for an expensive unit.

This Velocity Exercise Magnetic Rower review suggests that it would be a good fitness rowing machines and would recommend you try the unit out before purchasing it to ensure it is right for you.

Sitting on the Gorowingo and rowing it felt divine. A real joy. It looks great and feels great. There is so many pluses for this unit. The rowing action and feel is exceptionally good.

There is a couple of things that I would like to improve. One is the height of the pulley, I found it a bit low. Also I would like to change the LCD with a Computer screen and interactive information.

They certainly believe in their workmanship giving 2 years warranty. Say a lot
One thing that they cannot do to in the cleaning of the water every few months, though this is livable.

You will not be sorry to buy this unit

The build of this machine oozes quality, and this can felt by the use of the equipment.

I found the screen on the side a little off-putting by needing to look at the angle. Like most rowing machines, the screen for my liking needs to be larger.

There are nice features like the adjustable footholds and strapping. An essential aspect of rowing machines.

One of the things I like about the unit is the height of the pulley rope. My preference it to have at chest height.

They have been smart with the monitor. It integrated with heart rate monitors and many fitness apps.

Overall the First Degree Fitness Newport Challenge AR Rower review rates this as a one of the best rowing machines around.

This IPO Compact Magnetic Sports Rower review found the equipment to be basic and not suitable for those with any great strength. This equipment is suitable for petite ladies who want to do a whole-body workout at home. The equipment does look really good and comes in different colors.

The unit did run smoothly and in very quiet and is stable on the floor.

I found the screen characters hard to see. The other part of the pulley system is a bit low for my liking.

We believe many other products that provide more value for money.

Most of the feedback was that they were generally happy with this rowing equipment. Most people didn’t find it an issue to ad water to increase the resistance. They did like the ability to adjust the foot straps for their own feet.

I would be a little concerned about the pulley-strap after some time of use.

Vilobos Rowing Machine Heavy Duty Rower review will do further investigation to give any recommendation.

All the reviewers reached out to were very happy with the unit. It has been proven to be very reliable, durable and of highest quality. They liked the additional levels of resistance, now 16 and as well as the 9 programmed workout plans.

In this LifeSpan RW7000 Review, it was found that it can easily handle very large people. It was really stable, and they felt comfortable and safe.

The LifeSpan RW7000 provides an experience of emulating rowing on water with multiple levels of resistance.

The LifeSpan RW7000 review recognizes that this is an excellent product for the very serious vigorous rowing fitness person. Here at Mind, Body Soul & Heart sees this product as one of the best rowing machines in the market. It is a commercial-grade exercise machine that would not be out of place in any gym.

It is suitable for all levels of fitness levels as well as body shapes and sizes.
It also provides a wide range of rowing programs that will suit everyone, from the beginner to the seasoned rower. The machine feels good and has the feeling you are on the water in very early mornings when the air is still and water surface glassy. The rowing sound of swooshing was very calming. They even considered the handle shape, which is impressive, adding to the experience.

I found the seat very comfortable and non-slippery when used vigorously. The feets felt secure, which a big plus.

One of the things I like about the unit is the height of the pulley rope. My preference is to have at chest height.

They have been smart with the monitor. It integrated with heart rate monitors and many fitness apps. The screen for my liking is too small. I am a bit older and need a bigger screen, especially when I am sweating.
There is little maintenance required for the equipment, which is a nice aspect.

There is not much more to say by First Degree Fitness Viking Pro Review team about this product other than it is one of the very best rowing machines available.

The unit has all the ticks for stability, seat comfort, sound, resistance levels, wireless connection for heart rate monitor, and even the monitor.  Though they could have had a larger screen.

They have gone for some innovation by having an angle water container.  Good on them for trying something new.

Some issues in the length of the unit is a little short for tall people, it could have been an extra 6 inches to allow people over 6’3” to use it comfortably.

The unit does provide a whole-of-body-work if that is what you are looking to achieve.  It does really give you the real like rowing experience.

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I found the resistance way too low, and I think that if you had any strength, the equipment would break. I am sure Icon would let that happen. Maybe that why they have only a 90-day warranty on parts.

We have seen the price dramatically drop on this device over the years.

The monitor provided some good information, though I felt lie with most rowing machines. It’s a bit small and not well enough lit, especially for home use, where it will more than likely be in the garage with poor lighting.

If you are looking at exercising your legs and arms, it does the job. I did not find an inspirational feel when comparing to other rowers.

I think the score speaks for itself.

This is one of the best rowing machines on the market. It is stylish, as expected, and very well built. There are no cheap parts on the unit and will last forever. This is supported by a 3-year parts warranty.

They have monitor has many features that will enhance the use of the rowing experience. I specifically like the seating and the eight wheels to give it a great movement.

The complete rowing equipment was a well thought out ergonomic design. From the rowing handle to the seat and even the foot straps.

The only things that I would like to improve are the monitor size and have an adjustable height for the pulley system,

The WaterRower Oxbridge Rowing Machine review believes that this is a solid investment for a way to get fit. The exercise unit will give you enjoyment while you are getting fit. What a bonus!

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