Top-Notch Home Rowing Machine of 2025 for Comprehensive Full-Body Exercise
If you're looking for a top-notch cardio workout from the comfort of your home, the rowing machine is hard to beat. Not only is it more compact than a treadmill or elliptical, but it works 86% of your muscles for a full-body, lung-busting exercise.
My personal favorite rower is the Concept2 RowErg. This air rowing machine is favored by Olympians and professional CrossFitters, but it's easy to use and maneuver. It's affordable and ideal if you're tight on space since it's compact and folds up for storage. But, keep in mind that it can get slightly noisy. Check out the FAQs below for more on air, magnetic, and water rowing machines.
If you truly need a space-saver, consider an exercise bike. These are also excellent for boosting your aerobic fitness and work solely on your lower body. However, a rower is ideal if you want a full-body focus – just make sure you know how to use it properly!
Top Picks
Best Overall
- Concept2 RowErg
- Specifications: Popular with athletes, flywheel, 10 damper settings
- Reasons to buy: Lung-busting workout, pre-set workouts, simple display
- Reasons to avoid: Noisy flywheel, slightly dated display
Best Premium
- Technogym Skillrow
- Specifications: High-tech, multidrive technology, clever app
- Reasons to buy: Ramp up aerobic to power workouts, virtual cox for added motivation
- Reasons to avoid: High price, complex for beginners
Best Budget-Friendly
- Echelon Smart Rower
- Specifications: Whisper-quiet, compact foldable design
- Reasons to buy: Affordable, connects to external displays
- Reasons to avoid: No built-in screen
Bryony, our Active Writer, reviews fitness, wearable, and outdoor gear. She has been hitting the gym for over four years and uses a rowing machine as part of her aerobic training. Every week, she incorporates the Concept2 RowErg into her conditioning and HYROX workouts.
Best Rowing Machines to Buy
Best Overall – Concept2 RowErg
Read more below
Best Premium – Technogym Skillrow
Read more below
Best Budget-Friendly – Echelon Smart Rower
Read more below
Other Top Picks
- Ergatta Rower: Best water rower
- NordicTrack RW900 Smart Rower: Best for beginners
- Hydrow Wave: Best compact
- Hydrow Pro Rower: Best Peloton alternative
- JTX Freedom Air Rowing Machine: Best performance
- JLL R200 Rowing Machine: Best foldable
FAQ
What are the different types of rowing machines?
- Air rowers use a variable flywheel and offer a rowing experience similar to rowing on water.
- Magnetic rowers use a magnet to create resistance, making them quieter than air rowers.
- Water rowers have a drum filled with water with fan blades inside, providing a more realistic rowing experience.
Can the rowing machine build muscle?
Yes, a rowing machine can help build musculature throughout your body, as it targets your upper and lower body during a single workout.
Can you lose belly fat on a rowing machine?
While you can burn calories and reduce overall body fat with a rowing machine, it's specifically designed for cardiovascular exercise. Combining it with a balanced diet and other exercises geared towards toning your core muscles can help target and reduce belly fat.
[1] “The Best Rowing Machines in 2022: Our Picks, Reviews, and Advice.” BestRowingMachineInfo.com, 21 July 2022, www.bestrowingmachineinfo.com/best-rowing-machines/.
[2] “The Best Rowing Machine: 5 Rower Reviews.” Men’s Health, 9 Jan. 2018, www.menshealth.com/uk/fitness/a47734278/best-rowing-machines/.
[3] “The Best Indoor Rowers of 2022.” Runner’s World, 9 Nov. 2021, www.runnersworld.com/gear-equipment/a30815385/best-indoor-rowers-of-2022/.
The Concept2 RowErg, highly favored by athletes and fitness enthusiasts, offers a full-body workout with a focus on both aerobic and power workouts, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a balanced health-and-wellness routine that includes fitness-and-exercise. Additionally, the Technogym Skillrow, with its high-tech features and multidrive technology, stands as a premium option for those looking to elevate their physical fitness routine, incorporating science-backed workout techniques into their daily health-and-wellness regimen.
