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If you're looking for a killer full body workout — rowing is where it's at! Rowing uses 85% of your body's muscles and burns calories like a boss. We love Hydrow rowers because their app takes you on scenic waterways around the globe and their machinery provides the closest feeling you can get to being on the water. If you're looking for the perfect in-home rower for your pad, these are the best rowing machines of the year!
Staff Pick
Hydrow
Best Overall
Hydrow offers two connected rowers to suit any home gym space. Row like a pro on waterways around the world with this authentic, rowing experience.
What We Looked For
- Quality Rowing machines made out of durable, high-quality materials that are built to last.
- Functionality User-friendly, comfortable and easy to store.
- Design Thoughtful design that matches smart functionality.
- Performance Worthy investments that provide effective resistance for an authentic experience.
1. Hydrow — On-the-Water Experiences
When it comes authenticity, Hydrow rowers deliver that realistic, on-the-water feeling we all crave. Hydrow rowers are connected fitness machines and work in tandem with the Hydrow app and All-Access membership to deliver excellent in-home workouts.
The app membership features Hydrow's patented experience: Live Outdoor Reality. Members have access to work out in 100+ scenic destinations and iconic waterways around the world, so you can row through locales like the River Thames in London or the Alps on Lake Lucerne in Switzerland.
Row through scenic waterways around the world.
The app also offers on-demand cross-training classes like yoga, Pilates, strength, and circuit training — which combines strength and rowing for the ultimate hybrid strength + cardio workouts.
The Hydrow All-Access Membership costs $44/month and one membership accommodates the whole family. Your membership includes:
- Daily live workouts
- 4000+ on-demand workouts
- Unlimited profiles
- Hydrow on both rower and app
- Milestone rewards
- In-workout leaderboard access
Hydrow makes two rowing machines to suit different spaces and budgets, but both offer the same in-app experience via their interactive touchscreens. The Hydrow Wave Rower features a 16-inch touchscreen and a smaller footprint, making it perfect for compact spaces, and the Hydrow Rower features a 22-inch touchscreen and a gorgeous ergonomic design, making it the best choice for larger home gyms.
Two rowers, same in-app experience.
Both feature patented electromagnetic resistance that mimics the water, adjustable foot beds, ergonomic handles, almost-silent operation, speakers, ANT+ and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, and durable frames.
If you're looking for the best rowing machine you can buy, a Hydrow Rower is IT!
Staff Pick
Hydrow
Best Overall
Row like a pro in exotic locales around the world with the connected Hydrow rowing machines.
2. Ergatta — A Gamified Rowing Experience
Ergatta makes your sweat sessions fly by with interactive, competitive, and thoughtfully designed games. Rather than following along with a class, Ergatta puts you in the center of the action with a gamified fitness experience that delivers real-time feedback, interaction, and workouts you can win!
This rowing machine features a gorgeous cherrywood frame for a lovely, natural aesthetic, plus water resistance, an interactive touchscreen, and adjustable footpads. Bonus points: it's collapsible for compact storage.
3. Peloton Row — Most Interactive Rower
Peloton Row features an ultra-sleek, low-profile aesthetic. It has a compact footprint that can fold up against the wall for easy storage, a comfortable ergonomic seat, and a smooth, interactive rowing experience.
Paired with the Peloton membership, users can access thousands of on-demand workouts on and off the rower. Classes are led by expert Peloton instructors and receive real-time stroke rate, pace, output, and distance readouts on the 24-inch interactive, swiveling, touchscreen.
4. Concept 2 RowErg Rower — The OG in Rowing
The Concept 2 RowErg Rower is an excellent value and features an advanced PM5 Performance Monitor, ergonomic handles, adjustable food pads, and a flywheel designed for smooth movement with minimal noise.
It's not a connected machine, so there's no app integration, but the built-in Performance Monitor will track the stats that matter for you. Plus, you can quickly break it down into two segments for convenient storage when you're done training.
5. Merach Rowers — Best for Begginners and Budget
Merach makes five different rowing machine models for under $1000, making them the best budget option and the right choice for beginners interested in getting fit. These rowers offer a range of adjustable magnetic or water resistance.
All feature a quiet stroke, a device holder and/or metrics monitor, and various footprints to work in any home gym space. Users can row along with the free Merach app for on-demand workouts.
Row like a PRO with HYDROW
The Hydrow Rower turned me into a rowing machine. I love rowing through exotic waterways around the globe. This rower provides a true-to-life, unmatched, on-the-water experience. I really feel like I'm cruising through the waves.
The All-Access Membership is easy to use and enjoyable. I like taking the yoga and strength cross-training classes to supplement my training regimen, on-top of all the great on-demand classes and scenic rows.
This total body workout is fierce and the Hydrow Rower is outfitted with everything I need to get the most out of my workouts.
Nicolette Roux
The Journey Freelance Writer
Staff Pick
Hydrow
Best Overall
Hydrow offers two connected rowers to suit any home gym space. Row like a pro on waterways around the world with this authentic, rowing experience.
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