Rowing Machine Reviews: Relax it will be all right! You are going to buy a rowing machine.
There are whole departments in fitness equipment stores devoted to the many styles and models of rowing machines. There are entire websites that sell the multitudes of different rowing machines available. There are at least 40 popular selling machines and an untold number of lesser-known manufacturers. It can be daunting to choose one for your needs. That's why rowing machine reviews are an important tool in helping you make a decision.
If focus is the issue the best way to clear this up is to take a look at what the most well recognized manufacturers are offering. Each have their own unique style of machine. Within the manufacturer’s style, the variations from model to model are largely a matter of fine tuned, beefed up accessories, features and price. Find the style of machine you want and then hone in on the model with the features you want and the price you are willing to pay.
So let's get started with some rowing machine reviews!
H2O Fitness: This manufacturer specializes in the water resistance type rowing machine. These are pricey machines ranging from about $700 to $1200. The higher and lower ends being in their 3 different product lines, featuring more or less bells and whistles. They weigh more than many rowers, so for home use don’t count on tucking it under the bed at night. Their higher end product series are suitable for commercial use with fancy features like heart rate monitors, calorie counters, and strokes per minute on electronic readout displays. Their claim to fame is that their water resistance rowing machines feel like you are really rowing a racing scull. As the water in the tank sloshes they even point out that it sounds like the real thing.
LifeCore: The LifeCore rowing machines are hybrids, using both air resistance and then they switch automatically, as your workout gets more intense, to magnetic resistance. In general air machines alone are quite noisy when they are running at faster and faster speeds. The switchover to ultra-quiet magnetic resistance eliminates the worst of this problem. Also touting electronic monitoring features, the LifeCore rowers come with sizable price tags ranging from $700 to $1300. These are lighter and more portable than some, but still sturdy, tough built machines. They are also rated for better than average weight loads so you might not mind paying for one if you need it.
Concept 2: If you want the best of the standard air resistance rowing machines the Concept 2 people are the purists. Their models, ranging from $900 to $1300, have sleek portable designs, and are best suited for indoor use. They are built rugged to last. Although the Concept 2 machines do have limited electronic workout monitoring, their niche in the rowing machine industry is that they easily fold away for storage.
First Degree Fitness: This line of water resistance rowing machines, ranging from $700 to $1600, comes in very different looks and designs between models. These vary from a standard looking horizontal water tank, to a large floor tank, to an unusual upright, vertical water tank that resembles an air resistance machine. The electronics workout monitors on these machines are downplayed somewhat in favor of durability and a variety of available designs. Their line also includes models suitable for use in moderate commercial applications.
Kettler: Kettler’s product line is all over the map, ranging from barely more than $400 to a whopping $2400. Their low-end models have less expensive and less trendy hydraulic piston resistance mechanisms suitable for home use. They look more like what many people, perhaps out of the fitness equipment loop, might envision a rowing machine to look like. These machines actually have bars you really “row” like oars. Their high-end machines are strictly magnetic resistance rowing machines with commercial use designs and top end electronics.
Because there are so many different rowing machines available it is good to relax and take your time to look at quite a few rowing machine reviews before deciding. The resistance concept and the rowing motion is sometimes the only thing these machines have in common with each other.
Be sure to check out the other brands that we've included on this site!