| Rowing Machine | Rowing Type | Editor's Notes | Warranty | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WaterRower Club Rowing Machine | Water rowing | Beautiful and expertly crafted | Frame - 3 yr . Components: 1 yr. Extended with registration. Frame - 5 yr. Components: 3 yr. | 5/5 |
| ProRower H2O RX 750 | Water rowing | Reliable and easy to use. Features innovative Hydro-Power Drive system | Frame : Lifetime warranty | 4.5/5 |
| First Degree Fitness Fluid Rower | Water rowing | Rare combination of - Attractive metal frame - Variable water resistance and - Advanced session feedback. | Frame: 5 years Tank: 3 years Non-wearing mechanical parts : 3 years Wear parts:1 yr | 4.5/5 |
| WaterRower Classic Rowing Machine | Water rowing | Beautiful and expertly crafted | Frame - 3 yr . Components: 1 yr. Extended with registration. Frame - 5 yr. Components: 3 yr. | 5/5 |
| Concept2 Model D Rowing Machine with PM5 | Good Practical Design. Solid construction offered at a great price. | Frame: 5 years Moving Parts: 2 years | 4.3 / 5.0 |
Buyer’s Guide – Best Water Rowing Machine Reviews
Rowing machines offer a new type of workout experience for individuals of all fitness levels. If you’re tired of the standard equipment at the gym and simply looking for a machine that allows you to work out from the comfort of your home, then a rowing machine may be right up your alley. Commonly this machine is overlooked at the gym because people don’t know that rowing can work several major muscle groups, burning more calories than a stationary bike or treadmill. The innovative designs of new water resistance rowers have taken on an elegant, yet classic look that can add subtle beauty to any room. Usually outfitted in a walnut or ash frame with all-metal black rails and an easy fold-up design, row machines not only look great, they’re actually pretty fun to use.
Rowing Machine Resistance Types Guide: Know Your Row
If you’re determined to purchase a row machine, learn more about the different types of resistance and find out which type offers the best user experience. There are actually four main resistance types: water, piston, air and magnetic. Water resistance machines are by far the most expensive while piston models are considered the cheapest.
- Machines that utilise air resistance are usually equipped with fan blades, which provide a smoother rowing motion and cool you off as you row. The resistance levels on an air rower automatically adjust to the user’s stroke intensity and speed.
- Magnetic rowers are more affordable than water and air resistance machines and operate through a braking system that includes automatic or manual resistance. Virtually maintenance free and solidly built, overall they can’t really compete with a water rower.
- As we have mentioned, piston models are considered the cheapest row machines. Compared to other types of rowers, the piston models aren’t nearly as durable, and the workouts are less intense. The workout itself is often described as slow and jerky and doesn’t give you much control over resistance.
- According to fitness experts, water resistance is by far the most efficient technology used in a rowing machine, and the result is a realistic rowing experience that provides a better workout with smoother and more fluid rowing. These machines use a paddle that’s suspended in a tank of water, providing a realistic sensation of rowing outdoors. Extremely quiet running, as you row the only sound you’ll hear is the gentle splashing of water moving with each stroke, which serves to enhance the realistic experience of this style of rower.
Because row machines that work using water resistance have a reputation for being the best, we highly recommend models that use this technology. The differences in these machines can be found in the design and quality of the frame, control consoles, and gliding systems.
Meet the winners from our Best Rowing Machine Review criteria
WaterRower Club Rowing Machine Review 5/5 Stars
The Club rowing machine by WaterRower utilises water resistance for an intense total body workout. This is a commercial grade model that’s designed for gym use, but the affordable price also allows homeowners to purchase a rower for personal use.This high-end model is equipped with an S4 monitor that’s packed with features that allow you to track progress such as stroke rate, heart rate, duration, and distance covered. The monitor has separated this information in individual windows, allowing you to track certain features with ease.The monitor is equipped with nine buttons. Six are dedicated to specific monitoring features while the remaining three are designed for menu navigation. For added convenience, you can link the row machine monitor to your PC or laptop using a USB cable to use with row machine software programs for training or racing purposes.
The frame of the machine is made from ash and coated with a layer of urethane to protect the finish. Two long black metal rails run along the sides of the rower and are designed to prevent scuffing during a workout or when transported. This model is designed for quiet rowing, with a sleek frame that works to minimise sound by absorbing vibration.
The seat’s ergonomic design is perfect for users who are rehabbing muscles, the elderly or individuals with disabilities. Described as comfortable, the seat is heavily padded and impressively stable. Gliding along the rails is smooth and silent, with the only sound coming from the water tank as you slice through the water.
The oblong shaped handle of the paddle has been covered in a soft material that can help to improve your grip and prevent slipping. The heel rests located on the floorboards can be adjusted to accommodate users of all foot sizes. The included nylon straps can hug the feet securely and prevent slipping during an intense workout.
The Club is our top rated rower and it received a perfect consumer rating for its innovative design and feature options.
WaterRower Club Rowing Machine Review
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Quality & Durability - 10/10
10/10
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Ease of Use - 9/10
9/10
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Ease of Assembly - 10/10
10/10
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Noise Level - 10/10
10/10
It provides a pretty impressive cardiovascular workout that will leave you feeling rejuvenated and empowered at the same time. This is a water resistance model that allows you to smoothly cut through water using all the major muscle groups, without putting unnecessary strain on the lower back and joints. This is the perfect workout for users who cannot participate in high impact workouts.
This model is pretty basic and doesn’t come with a ton of features, but the solid build of the frame and overall smooth rowing experience can provide you with the type of challenging workout you need to burn fat.
The resistance level can be easily increased or decreased by flipping a switch. To increase resistance, flip the switch, and an interior water tank will send water into the outer water tank for a more challenging workout.
To reduce the intensity level, flip the switch again, and the water will be guided back to the interior tank for a low-intensity workout. This feature makes the rower perfect for interval training, which requires five to ten minutes of high-intensity training and a period of two to three minutes of low intensity.
It’s also a great feature to have if there is more than one family member in the household that uses the rower. Rowing for just an hour can burn eight hundred to a thousand calories, depending on the resistance level and how fast you row.
This type of calorie burn is better than what you would get from cycling or running, and it’s much gentler on the body. You can also position your hands differently in order to work new muscle groups in your lower and upper arms. Many people will be surprised to learn that rowing works the legs more than any other muscle group, but by switching up your rowing position, you can also focus on your abs, arms and shoulders for a total upper body workout that can provide impressive results just by working out a few times a week.
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First Degree Fitness Newport Rower Review
The First Degree Newport rower utilises water resistance for a more effective workout that’s low impact, so it’s gentle on the body. You’ll focus on building up all the major muscle groups as you use a machine that offers a very realistic rowing experience.To increase resistance flip the valve control to add more water to the paddle water tank. To decrease resistance, remove water from the tank and enjoy a less challenging stroke for the cool down or warm up a portion of your workout. The tank on the Newport can hold a minimum of nine litres of water and a maximum of seventeen litres.
The large display console allows you to keep track of the calories burned, distance covered, strokes per minute and duration of the workout. The Newport also includes an improved seat roller design for a smoother glide. The ergonomic padded seat will keep you comfortable and encourage longer workouts while the rust-resistant rail system is made to prevent scuffing as you push yourself during an intense session.
This rower has been designed to ensure stroke consistency and utilises a triple blade impeller system. Perfect for smaller houses or apartments, this model includes the easy tilt feature for fast fold-up and storing. Assembly is a one man job that will take twenty to thirty minutes to complete. A step by step illustrated instruction manual has been included, in addition to all of the tools needed for this process.
First Degree Fitness Newport Rower Review
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Quality & Durability - 9/10
9/10
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Ease of Use - 9/10
9/10
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Ease of Assembly - 9/10
9/10
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Noise Level - 10/10
10/10
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Full review for First Degree Fitness Newport Rower
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Stamina Body Trac Glider 1050 Rowing Machine
This affordable rowing machine is streamlined, simple to use, built well, has a comfy seat with a realistic rowing movement, and especially good for a newbie. Because the cost of this machine is less than $150, it is popular on the net. As it has a hydraulic rower, resistance is provided by just one piston under the main key column. Along with a comfy cushioned seat, LCD screen, this machine provides 12 hydraulic cylinder resistances.
I would like to begin reviewing the screen. It’s quite simple to use. It doesn’t offer many things and that is what anticipated in a rowing machine that is under $150. As the LCD screen is too small, you need to keep yourself motivated some way or the other; music is a good way by the way. It’s only an easy screen that can show some basic information while you row such as the length of time you rowed in a single session and how much you’ve rowed. Additionally, it can give you a good idea about the approx. number of calories burned and strokes performed. And that’s it. The LCD screen doesn’t show anything new. No preset applications are contained, and there is no way to save your workout information.
As aforementioned, there are 12 levels of hydraulic cylinder resistance, but these are enough for a newbie. You have to keep in mind that you may feel it dropping off during workouts that are longer.
I have also received negative feedback about the resistance. After 15 minutes at the maximum level, you will feel that you are hardly putting an effort to row. However, this won’t be an issue if your weight is less. This could indicate an issue with the oil or gasoline mixture in the piston. Also, issues were mentioned by other customers with the footrests. They’d problem strapping their feet. It is a bigger issue as it becomes difficult for people who have small feet as the feet keeps on slipping. The footrest grip is not tight. This is affecting particularly when you would like to experience a workout without any interruption; when you actually want to go with the flow of workout. Fast rowing also becomes difficult with this type of problem as you have to stop and strap the feet back. However, the problem could be solved by using a wide and thick Velcro straps. Use your creativity and be resourceful while coming up with the ideas to solve the problem of slipping feet.
Another drawback is the sound. The rowing machine could be loud until it is warmed up completely.
Let’s take a peek into the advantages and disadvantages:
- Durable and streamlined
- A foldable machine so can be stored in any corner of the house
- Simple to assemble
- Simple to use
- Can even adapt heavy users up to 250lbs
- Frame warranty is one year
- Has a cushioned seat
- A Screen that shows approx. Calories burned, the number of strokes and time.
- Highly sturdy as its frame made up of steel
- Experience of a realistic rowing
- The LCD screen is just basic
- The pulse meter is missing
- There aren’t any preset software contained
- Drop in resistance after exercising for 15 minutes
- Interruption in workout as you have to adjust the foot rests again and again
This rowing machine needs a corner of your house as its size is just 46in. x 23.5in. After reading the advantages and disadvantages and the specifications, it is up to you to decide if you want to buy this machine or not. A simple way to decide is that it is mainly developed for the newbie. If you are a beginner, go for it.
How To Use A Water Rower Safely
In the starting position, the knees should be bent, with the shoulders and arms extended forward and the shins held vertically. Begin rowing by pushing both feet against the row machine’s platform and straighten the legs until they’re slightly bent. Pull the paddle towards you, using bent elbows as you slightly lean back while focusing on keeping your back straight. This type of motion should be both continuous and fluid.
If you’re new to rowing, start off slow and begin with a five to ten-minute warm-up, followed by a twenty-minute workout and five to ten additional minutes for the cool down. During your workout, if you continue to consistently row at the same speed, over a period of a few sessions you should begin to notice an increase in your endurance. For a more intense workout, you can try interval training with your rower. Start off each workout by rowing for five to ten minutes at the highest resistance level, as fast as you can. Next, for two to three minutes row slowly, at the lowest resistance setting. Do this for thirty to sixty minutes. Interval training has been incorporated in many different types of exercise from cardio to strength training, and it’s designed to give your metabolism a jolt and make your body improve its fat burning abilities
Other Product Considerations
Mat for your Rowing Machine
Keeps rowing machines correctly positioned, levelled and stabilised.
Check out reviews and latest price
Rowing Machine Gloves
Add style and comfort and get an amazing experience. Love the neutral colour that they have.
For more details Rowing Machine Gloves
Rowing Machine Oil?
Many rowing machines come with chain oil so you may not need to immediately. But if you want to keep some extra, here is a good one.
Check reviews
Alternatively, you can use 3-1 oil available at any hardware store or here
Check 3-IN-ONE Multi-Purpose Oil Reviews
Choosing the Right Rowing Machine
A rowing workout can produce sustainable results without negatively impacting muscles and joints. With a reported average of five hundred to a thousand calories burned per workout, rowing machines are the hottest new fitness trend in the industry. Because of this, manufacturers are working overtime to produce a wide variety of styles and types of row machines, all of which can offer an effective low-impact total body workout. With so many choices of models, it can be confusing for beginners to choose the right type. Most consumers automatically choose the cheapest rower, however, cheaper models often feature piston resistance, which is considered the worst type of technology because the workouts are uncomfortable and the machine itself is often poorly designed.
Jason Statham is a fitness enthusiast who enjoys using a Concept2 and is in great shape. His Instagram accounts that is updated with photographs of him rowing.
How can I not include Kevin Spacey on a listing of rowers that are famous? We all know ho much he loves rowing.It was Kevin who proposed his character Frank Underwood use a rowing machine in House of Cards.
