Rowing Machine Benefits & Buying Guide

Air Rowing Machines Features & Benefits:

Air rowing machines are the main type of rowing machine found in commercial fitness gyms and rowing clubs.

Air rowing machines have a large round fan and offer 'dynamic resistance'. The resistance is created as the fan blades push against the surrounding air. Pulling with more power and speed creates more resistance on the blades which in turn makes it harder to row. This means that air rowing machines match the amount of effort you put in, leaving no slack or parts of your workout with not enough resistance. If you want more resistance, you simply row harder and faster. For an easier row simply slow down and pull with less intensity. As your fitness improves you will improve the power of your stroke and record better performance results on the monitor. Air rowing machines provide a highly challenging workout for your cardiovascular system and will also help you build muscles.

Air rowing machines are the loudest type of rowing machine but are considerably quieter than a treadmill

The most well-known brand, Concept 2, costs about £850 for their cheapest Model D version. The JTX Ignite Air Rowing Machine is a great alternative. Read our Concept 2 vs JTX Ignite Air Rower comparison here.

Magnetic Rowing Machines Features & Benefits:

These magnetic rowing machines have a similar type of resistance to exercise bikes. Magnets are placed next to the flywheel and create a drag on the spinning flywheel. Changing the resistance involves moving the magnets closer to the flywheel for more resistance. Resistance is then changed either manually (by turning a knob) or digitally (by pressing a button on the console) during the workout. You can set the resistance at a level that suits your fitness level. The resistance will remain constant, however hard you work out. The downside? Because the resistance doesn’t respond to your movements, the row feels less smooth and less like real rowing on water.

Purely magnetic rowing machines are often cheaper than air and water rowing machines. The cheaper cost often links to lower build quality so they are often less durable than other types of rowing machines. Their lower maximum user weight will reflect this.

They do not have a large air rower fan or water rower container so they can be up to 30% smaller than other types of rowing machines. So magnetic rowing machines are a great choice if space is an issue. They are also much quieter than other types of rowing machines.

Air & Magnetic Rowing Machines Features & Benefits:

Air and magnetic rowing machines combine both magnetic resistance and air resistance to offer an affordable alternative to air rowing machines. They are also known as mag-air rowers. Magnetic air resistance can be changed on the computer console as well as by changing the power you put into your row. The air resistance also ensures a smooth rowing motion.

However, the feel of the row is not comparable to that of air rowing machines. The air resistance mechanisms are less powerful in mag-air rowers. The resistance is not as dynamic and the row not as smooth. Although mag-air rowers don’t give the most accurate rowing simulation, they suit most home users. They offer a rewarding rowing experience, tailored to your ability.

Mag-air rowing machines offer a great compromise between the budget friendly magnetic rowing machines and the smoother rowing option of the air rowers. They can usually be purchased for between £350 – £800 depending on a variety of features.

Hydraulic Rowing Machines:

We have carried out a lot of tests on these cheaper rowing machines. If you are likely to be exercising on them more than once a week or you weigh over 10 stone, we recommend that you avoid them. They are often very cheap but the build quality is in general not very good either so you are likely to end up wasting your money.

Hydraulic rowing machines often use an elastic cord, rather than a high-quality belt or chain. The elastic cord has a tendency to create a variety of problems. They can lose their elasticity over time and slip, causing a jerky rowing motion.

Hydraulic rowing machines use a piston mechanism to provide resistance. This can often get stiff and put the welding under a lot of pressure.

If you do end up buying one of these cheap rowing machines, please be careful to look at the rowing machine warranty.

Water Rowing Machine Features & Benefits:

Water rowing machines provide resistance via blades rotating in a large tank. This provides an accurate rowing-on-water simulation with the feel and exercise benefits of open water rowing.

The smooth 'continuous drive' means there is no rowing dead-point, where the resistance becomes slack and no loss of momentum. You can increase the intensity of your workout through stroke efficiency, power and rowing speed.

You can occasionally adjust the water level in the machine to change the way the strokes feel but this won't change the effectiveness of your workout. Add water to the container to make the strokes feel heavier, and remove it to lighten the strokes. However, regularly adding and removing water from the machine is not common practice.

The water inside can grow algae and bacteria but this can be kept at bay with purification tablets (normally provided with the machine).

A magnetic rowing machine is much quieter but the sound of rowing on the water can also be very soothing.

Water rowing machines are also stylish, looking great in any home gym or in the corner of your living room. The market leader is the WaterRower brand with stylish wooden framed rowing machines from £850 to £1300.

Water Vs Air Rowing Machine, Which Is Best?

Air rowers and water resistance rowing machines are both well known for their smooth stroke. Most users would find the rowing action and workout results very similar. Deciding which is best normally comes down to noise, budget and home decor preferences. If you are focused on your rowing technique, water rowing machines have a stronger catch at the start that softens through the stroke. Air resistance rowing machines feel softer at the beginning of the stroke and stronger at the end.