In case you are looking for a machine that can be used for a full-body workout, then rowing machines are something you can try out. These pieces of equipment easily blend calorie-burning workouts with low-impact cardio to provide a unique fitness experience.

The best-in-class rowing machines provide a full-body workout in only one compact machine in the comforts of your home. No gym membership is required – that’s why they are so popular at present.
Several rowing machine options exist in the market, each having its own features and resistance type. One can choose a rower with hydraulic resistance, magnetic resistance or one with an adjustable resistance mechanism.

One can also prefer a smart rower or opt for a foldable rowing machine if you don’t have a lot of space.
The feature of a specific rowing machine that matters most to you is based on your exercise equipment preferences.

While most rowing machines offer similar benefits, they vary in design, which is key in determining which is best for your workout style.

List if best 6 best rowing machines

To help you out, we’ve rounded up the 6 best rowing machines for an effective full-body workout.

Hydrow Rower

Besides the fact that this piece of equipment comprises an upscale and beautiful design, everything else about it works seamlessly. The strokes are smooth, the adjustable footbeds are comfortable and the seat rail is long enough to enable a full range of motion without any bumping against the stoppers.

Moreover, instead of an exposed flywheel, Hydro Rower works on an electromagnetic resistance drag mechanism that can be adjusted from 1 to 300.

By default, it’s set to 104. This resembles the feel of rowing on the water. This is appropriate for most workouts and most fitness levels.

Plus, synchronization with the Strava App allows you to track and measure your heart rate, progress and other information.

Concept2 Model D Indoor Rowing Machine

This equipment offers steel rear legs, a flywheel with air resistance, solid aluminium front legs and a maximum user weight capacity of 500 pounds.

Crucial for performing influential and uninterrupted strokes, its flywheel has a damper for modifying its air resistance, providing you full control of the resistance. The faster and harder you row, the more wind the flywheel generates and the more drag you will feel.

The easy-to-read performance monitor (PM5) traces calories expended, stroke rate, pace, distance and watts. It has various built-in programmable workouts and games to inspire you during a workout. The rower is also swift and easy to assemble and disassemble. It can be taken apart and rolled for storage.

You may expect a bit of noise with an air resistance rowing machine. However, the Model D runs pretty quietly. It’s silent enough for rowers that they can even watch television or listen to music at an average volume during workouts.

The LIT Strength Machine

The LIT (Low Impact Training) Strength Machine is more than just a rowing machine. It’s built to be a reformer, resistance and reformer in one. Using it as a simple rowing machine is quite straightforward.

The seat glides smoothly and the full range of motion on the seat rail without hitting the stopper, even at higher speeds.

The flexible foot pedals are comfortable, and the pull is suave.

This machine uses water resistance, which closely mimics the outdoor rowing and makes you feel like an actual rower out on the open water. If you want a little more enthusiasm, you can customize the resistance level with a turn knob. The machine comes with a siphon that you can use to transfer water from a bucket into the water reservoir.

ProForm 750R Rower

The ProForm 750R Rower offers a “Space Saver design”. With the precise pull of a handle, it folds up and its footprint goes from 7 feet to about 3 feet. It is probably one of the easiest stow-away processes one can experience in a cardio machine.

Using this machine is also quite simple. One can easily achieve a full range of motion and the inertia-enhanced flywheel can enable a smooth rotation without any trembling or shuddering, even at higher speeds.

One can easily view calories, time and distance. Plus, in case you wish to feel an interactive rowing experience, you will have to hook up your tablet in the included holder.

Stamina ATS Air Rower

Stamina ATS Air rower comes up with a very basic digital interface that shows speed, distance, calories and time.

There’s no way to digitally control resistance, but one of the benefits of a machine with air resistance is that it routinely regulates to match your speed without any special need for too much technology.

While there’s no immersive iFit-like experience here, you can get a fairly smooth rowing stroke and seat glide. In fact, this equipment won’t be a deal-breaker for casual rowers or anyone who’s just starting out with a rowing machine workout.

NordicTrack’s RW900

Featuring a 22-inch HD touchscreen display, a collection of interactive workout classes led by real trainers, and a fold-up design, this rower is worth its price tag.
While rowing away during a class, you can digitally adjust the resistance based on how they want you to row. If you want to kick your workout up a few notches, there’s the option to manually amend the air resistance.
The RW900 lusters with what it offers in terms of workouts through its iFit interactive platform.
A user-friendly air control is located on the wheel which leaves space for swift adjustments, even between strokes.

Final words

For many, rowing may appears to be mostly an upper-body workout. However, the fact is that your legs and glutes are truly the key muscles driving your stroke.
Rowing is mostly 80% of legs and 20% upper body. It also forces you to involve your core and back, so you feel fully connected from your feet to your shoulders.
So are you ready to row? Pick your option from the list mentioned above for an at-home, full-body cardio and strengthen your full body.