The Most Popular Home Rowing Machine Brands
Can the brand guarantee quality?
When you're buying a rowing machine you want to know if it's going to last. Like any piece of home fitness equipment, a rower has to be used on a regular basis if you want to see results. We asked 56 keen rowers to put into order of importance what they considered before buying.
In order of importance, they were:-
It's no surprise that reliability comes first due to the reason mentioned above. Brand reputation is obviously important as thanks to Amazon (and websites like this one!) it's so much easier to see what other people think of a make of machine.
Although the rowing position is important, the majority of people buying a machine will buy online. We encourage buyers to try a model before committing to purchase, but this isn't always possible unless you can find one at the local gym - and the most of those will be a Concept2 rower.
In order of importance, they were:-
- Reliability
- Brand reputation
- Comfortable rowing position
- Price
- Functions and features
It's no surprise that reliability comes first due to the reason mentioned above. Brand reputation is obviously important as thanks to Amazon (and websites like this one!) it's so much easier to see what other people think of a make of machine.
Although the rowing position is important, the majority of people buying a machine will buy online. We encourage buyers to try a model before committing to purchase, but this isn't always possible unless you can find one at the local gym - and the most of those will be a Concept2 rower.
LIST OF ROWING MACHINE BRANDS ON TOP MODELS
It's interesting that price comes quite low - but again, we think this shows just how much people rate reliability and comfort. And of course, if you're going to be rowing 4 times or more a week, your butt has to be kept happy :0)
The functions and features you get usually relate directly to price. If you want things such as heart rate programs, PC-compatible consoles and other hi-tech innovations, you have to pay for them.
On this page we'll look at the most popular brands and list the models we've tried from each make - plus one we've yet to test.
So let's start with most recognizable of them all.
The functions and features you get usually relate directly to price. If you want things such as heart rate programs, PC-compatible consoles and other hi-tech innovations, you have to pay for them.
On this page we'll look at the most popular brands and list the models we've tried from each make - plus one we've yet to test.
So let's start with most recognizable of them all.
CONCEPT2
Visit a rowing club and you'll find a row of Concept2s - and the same goes for 95% of gyms and health clubs. They buy them because they're rock solid, reliable and require minimal maintenance. Concept2 are also one of the leaders when it comes to using technology with their monitors.
OUR VERDICT: A top brand! You won't regret buying Concept2 - read more here....
OUR VERDICT: A top brand! You won't regret buying Concept2 - read more here....
WATERROWER
The original rowing machine constructed from wood and using water for resistance. Beautifully made and instantly recognizable, WaterRower have earned themselves an excellent reputation.
OUR VERDICT: A quality machine that has many devotees - see more here....
OUR VERDICT: A quality machine that has many devotees - see more here....
ERGATTA
The incredible games-inspired Ergatta
Ergatta are one of the new boys on the block with a feature-packed digital platform based on a modified Waterrower. There a literally hundreds of goal-based workouts that are personalized to inspire you to keep training and set new personal goals. The US-based team behind this beauty have taken working out to the next level - and as they say, you ain't seen nothing yet! There's more to come.
HYDROW
The innovative Hydrow
Following on from Ergatta, Hydrow are the other main player in the game of bringing the humble rower in the 21st Century. Hydrow have a slightly different approach in using virtual rows on real rivers, including the swish of the water, and live trainer-lead workout session. Hydrow have based their platform on a sleek magnetic rower that is the quietest model we've ever tried.
This section of the market can only get better and better - what next? Virtual headsets?
This section of the market can only get better and better - what next? Virtual headsets?
FIRST DEGREE FITNESS
First Degree's hi-tech take on a fluid rower
First Degree's promotional material states they make 'the world's most advanced rowing machines'. I suppose it depends on what criteria you measure this, but we have to say after trying the Evolution E520, they're getting pretty close. They began in 2000 when they focused on producing 'fluid technology' commercial machines that 'combined robustness with simplicity' and soon earned a reputation for delivering on its promises. Since then, they've launched models for the home while developing the commercial range further. We've tried two models and found the home model is a fine machine - but we were blown away by the Evolution. We've just got our hands (and butts) on one of the wonderfully named Vortex range,
First Degree reviews:-
First Degree reviews:-
LIFECORE FITNESS
The innovative LifeCore rowers keep you coming back
Based in Vista, California, LifeCore Fitness make rowing machines, elliptical cross-trainers and exercise bikes. They've been on the scene since the last 1990s and have, in our view, come along way in a short time. Their innovative rowers have brought technology right into the indoor rower market. Both the magnetic machines have a great reputation and come with a bundle of features and functions.
The R100 is amongst the top-rated models on this site and a number of us here prefer the advantages of magnetic machine and prefer it to Concept2 - praise indeed!
If you like gadgets and hi-tech stuff, LifeCore would be a good choice. They're a good company to deal with and have experience in the health club industry.
Our LifeCore reviews:-
The R100 is amongst the top-rated models on this site and a number of us here prefer the advantages of magnetic machine and prefer it to Concept2 - praise indeed!
If you like gadgets and hi-tech stuff, LifeCore would be a good choice. They're a good company to deal with and have experience in the health club industry.
Our LifeCore reviews:-
- R100
- Diamondback 910R (sold by LifeCore)
BODYCRAFT
BodyCraft have been around since 1994 with the objective of bring quality and affordable exercise equipment to the market. As well as rowing machines, they sell a range of home gyms, free weights, recumbent and spinning bikes. They pride themselves of innovative designs and build quality. We have to say we were disappointed with our first encounter with their entry-level rower, the VR100. But since being blown away by their top model, the VR500, we've come to appreciate this distinctive brand.
Bodycraft reviews:-
Bodycraft reviews:-
PROFORM
The Proform 440R
Proform are well-established brand in the home equipment sector, although more well-known for their treadmills and exercise bikes. It's only been recently that they've started to sell rowing machines (and also a dual bike/rower) in the US and the small range tend to be badged models from a generic manufacturer in China. However, this shouldn't put you off. The models chosen are solid performers, if a little dull, at a good price
Proform reviews
Proform reviews
- 440R
STAMINA
Stamina dominate the budget end of the market
At the opposite end of the scale to First Degree, you can get any one of Stamina's rowing machines for under $500, and a number for less than $250. It's true that you get what you pay for and can't expect a lot from a machine costing relatively little, but Stamina have quite a good reputation and have been around since 1987.
Obviously, expectations are lower, but if you're spending a few hundred dollars you don't want your machine to breakdown after only a few months. We've tried four of their rowers and found the lowest-priced models actually offer good value for money - but only if you're not going to punish it five times a week. So if you're looking for a light workout 3 times a week, a Stamina machine may be for you.
Update: Stamina's more recent models, namely the 1110 and 1130 compact magnetic rowers are starting to look real good!
Stamina reviews:-
Obviously, expectations are lower, but if you're spending a few hundred dollars you don't want your machine to breakdown after only a few months. We've tried four of their rowers and found the lowest-priced models actually offer good value for money - but only if you're not going to punish it five times a week. So if you're looking for a light workout 3 times a week, a Stamina machine may be for you.
Update: Stamina's more recent models, namely the 1110 and 1130 compact magnetic rowers are starting to look real good!
Stamina reviews:-
KETTLER
German built Kettler brand
The Kettler brand has been around for many years, since 1949 to be exact. The German company make exercise bikes, treadmill and elliptical trainers, plus rowing machines of course. Many models are also built in Germany and they have earned a good reputation for quality and customer service worldwide. We've tried a number of their rowers and while they won't set the world on fire, they do seem reliable and built to last.
Kettler reviews:-
Kettler reviews:-
SUNNY HEALTH & FITNESS
Sunny: when they say budget, they really mean it!
Sunny sell the cheapest fitness equipment out there. With a range of rowers, exercise bikes, treadmills and elliptical trainers, many under $100, they bring home gym machines into the reach of many who may have previously found them beyond their pocket. However, the lowest price models really are basic and in our view a waste of your hard-earned cash.
More recently they have brought some higher priced machines to the market which look more substantial. We're currently looking for owners of Sunny equipment and also hope to get our hands on more soon. We'll post our reviews here as soon as we're done.
Sunny reviews:-
More recently they have brought some higher priced machines to the market which look more substantial. We're currently looking for owners of Sunny equipment and also hope to get our hands on more soon. We'll post our reviews here as soon as we're done.
Sunny reviews:-
If we've not mentioned a brand here that you've tried yourself, or would like us to review, please let us know.
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