Home Rowing Machine Reviews & User Guide
Find Your Best Rower From The Top 2018 Models Tested Here
Me acting like a big kid on the Float Rower
Our unbiased rowing machine reviews will help you find the best model for your needs and budget. There is a huge range of rowers available and you may find the choice a little confusing. The model you choose depends on your goals, the available room at home, and how often and for how long you intend to train. I hope you find this website useful.
First up.... don't panic!
To save you a lot of time, if you have a budget of around a $1,000 you can't go wrong buying one of the most popular rowing machines of all time - the Concept2 Model D. For $945 you'll get a rower that will last for years... and years, and has some great features. Gymnasiums and rowing clubs love it, and so will you.
Don't be put off by the staggering choice of rowing machines out there. We can help you find the answers to all your questions, and ensure you get the best rowing machine that will get you into the shape of your life. We're a group of personal trainers and 'gym junkies' who are fanatical about fitness and training. There is a massive range of home fitness equipment, you can spend anything from around $100 to well over $1,500 - so you can imagine the difference in quality and reliability.
However, buying the most expensive machine doesn't always guarantee you'll get a better rowing machine. There's no point buying a top of the range model, if you only plan on using it two or three times a week. Likewise, it's false economy to buy a budget machine if you intend to row everyday for an hour!
For more help on making the right decision see our guide to buying a rower, and also check out our advice for buying a used model.
Note:
If it's been a while since you've last been active, it's advisable to ease yourself gently into physical exercise. For advice on the types of activity you can help get you started, please visit www.healthfinder.gov.
First up.... don't panic!
To save you a lot of time, if you have a budget of around a $1,000 you can't go wrong buying one of the most popular rowing machines of all time - the Concept2 Model D. For $945 you'll get a rower that will last for years... and years, and has some great features. Gymnasiums and rowing clubs love it, and so will you.
Don't be put off by the staggering choice of rowing machines out there. We can help you find the answers to all your questions, and ensure you get the best rowing machine that will get you into the shape of your life. We're a group of personal trainers and 'gym junkies' who are fanatical about fitness and training. There is a massive range of home fitness equipment, you can spend anything from around $100 to well over $1,500 - so you can imagine the difference in quality and reliability.
However, buying the most expensive machine doesn't always guarantee you'll get a better rowing machine. There's no point buying a top of the range model, if you only plan on using it two or three times a week. Likewise, it's false economy to buy a budget machine if you intend to row everyday for an hour!
For more help on making the right decision see our guide to buying a rower, and also check out our advice for buying a used model.
Note:
If it's been a while since you've last been active, it's advisable to ease yourself gently into physical exercise. For advice on the types of activity you can help get you started, please visit www.healthfinder.gov.
Please note, we don't receive any payment to test models and write up the review, we don't sell rowing machines, and we don't promote any particular brand. We're only interested in finding good, reliable machines and the best prices and deals on the web. We use the income we earn through advertising and any commissions from retailers, to buy or hire models to test.
UK visitor? Check UK rowing machines here. |
|
Quick Guide - Top Rowers by Price
To save you time, here's our quick guide to what we consider to be the best rowing machines for the price.
Under $250
Sunny SF-RW5515:
Rating: 5.0/10 
Sunny SF-RW5515
A budget machine in every sense with few features to get excited about. But in it's favor, it's quite a sturdy machine that should last longer than most machines for the cost. It's a magnetic rowing machine so it's quieter than an air rower, but you might find the seat starts to squeak after regular use.
Note, if you intend to use your rowing machine more than 3 times a week we recommend you don't buy a model in this price range.
Note, if you intend to use your rowing machine more than 3 times a week we recommend you don't buy a model in this price range.
Under $500
Kettler R220 :
Rating: 8.0/10 
Kettler R220
A winner from the German fitness company, the Kettler R220 offers excellent value for money. This compact rower has some great features such as pre-set programs (12 in total) including a programmable option.
Another big plus is the inclusion of heart rate training programs for fat-burning and getting the most out of your workout. You don't often find these features on a rowing machine costing less than $500.
Well worth a look in our view.
Another big plus is the inclusion of heart rate training programs for fat-burning and getting the most out of your workout. You don't often find these features on a rowing machine costing less than $500.
Well worth a look in our view.
Under $1000
Concept2 Model D:
Rating: 9.5/10 
Concept2 Model D
Absolutely no contest here. The Concept2 Model D is what the elite rowers choose over any other machine. Rowing clubs all over the world use this machine for indoor training and testing - because it will last for years!
It's been around since 2003 but continues to get new features such as online functions and upgraded monitors.
For the price it's still a steal. Also popular with gymnasiums and health clubs as it will take anything anyone can throw at it with minimum maintenance.
It's been around since 2003 but continues to get new features such as online functions and upgraded monitors.
For the price it's still a steal. Also popular with gymnasiums and health clubs as it will take anything anyone can throw at it with minimum maintenance.
How We Compile our Rowing Machine Reviews
Our reviews are written by people who have spent at least a week using the machine or already own one and have had it for over a month. We rate each machine using the following criteria. We've recently changed the quick reference info-graphic which appear on each review page.
We rate the build quality, features on the rowing machine and value for money and then give it an overall score out of one hundred..
We rate the build quality, features on the rowing machine and value for money and then give it an overall score out of one hundred..
|
To read about the models we've tested to date, please see all our reviews, or use our comparison table to check the price verses features. We perform regular price checks, so we can recommend the best buys on the market. Our objective is to help you get the best rowing machine at a price you can afford.
We also offer training tips on how to get the most from your rowing machine. For example, one of the best ways to get great results from your workouts are heart rate training programs and we recommend this great workout program with over 20 workouts. Choosing the right model for your needs and budget could make a huge difference to you health and well-being. We hope we can help you make it with this website. |
|
About Me
Hi, I'm Roy Palmer and I love to row. I coordinate this website and test rowing machines and also use a number of rowers around the world to tell me what they think of their machines. I'm also an athletics coach and teacher of The Alexander Technique with over 25 years experience in competitive sport and coaching.
If you can't see a rowing machine you'd like us to review, please let me know.
Hi, I'm Roy Palmer and I love to row. I coordinate this website and test rowing machines and also use a number of rowers around the world to tell me what they think of their machines. I'm also an athletics coach and teacher of The Alexander Technique with over 25 years experience in competitive sport and coaching.
If you can't see a rowing machine you'd like us to review, please let me know.
|
|
Content by Roy Palmer - Google+
|
|
|
 |
Latest...
Check out Kettler's R220 programmable magnetic rower - great value for money.
It has to be tried to be believed - check out the WaterRower Slider Dynamic.
Looking for a water rowing machine? Can't go far wrong with First Degree's Apollo Pro
Does it have to feel real to be beneficial? Latest blog item on full-motion rowers
Conquer? Never heard of it? Well now's you chance - Conquer Magnetic review...
Should you go for Concept2's Model D or Model E - check our guide here.
The shame of 'catching a crab' in front of a worldwide TV audience - read more...
Trouble with your heart rate monitor? Some very useful advice here...
Found this fascinating website about the history of rowing.
Visit Wikipedia for more history and info on rowing machines
Check out Kettler's R220 programmable magnetic rower - great value for money.
It has to be tried to be believed - check out the WaterRower Slider Dynamic.
Looking for a water rowing machine? Can't go far wrong with First Degree's Apollo Pro
Does it have to feel real to be beneficial? Latest blog item on full-motion rowers
Conquer? Never heard of it? Well now's you chance - Conquer Magnetic review...
Should you go for Concept2's Model D or Model E - check our guide here.
The shame of 'catching a crab' in front of a worldwide TV audience - read more...
Trouble with your heart rate monitor? Some very useful advice here...
Found this fascinating website about the history of rowing.
Visit Wikipedia for more history and info on rowing machines
TESTIMONIALS:
"Thanks for the help, your website was awesome." Chris Cannon aka Thechugdude - we won't ask about the name :0)
"My best to you Roy and again thank you for taking the time to do your rowing machine reviews. They were a big help to me." Skip Davis, San Diego.
We hope you find our unbiased and honest rowing machine reviews help you make what can be a difficult choice much easier :0)
"Thanks for the help, your website was awesome." Chris Cannon aka Thechugdude - we won't ask about the name :0)
"My best to you Roy and again thank you for taking the time to do your rowing machine reviews. They were a big help to me." Skip Davis, San Diego.
We hope you find our unbiased and honest rowing machine reviews help you make what can be a difficult choice much easier :0)
You are here: Rowing Machine Reviews Home
Please read our Privacy Policy, Terms of Service and Disclaimer or see my Sitemap to find what you're looking for on this site.
