Indoor rowing builds cardiovascular endurance, aerobic capacity, anaerobic capacity, and strength, according to online rowing coach Neil Bergenroth , who has 36 years of experience as a rower. And if you are motivated by interactive programming , the Hydrow Wave Rower and Peloton Row are both worth considering, though overall the Wave Rower offers the better value.
This water rower makes for a serene-feeling workout, thanks to its calming whooshing sound and quiet resistance system. Is burning calories your main priority, or do you seek motivation from an immersive workout experience? You can store many rowers vertically, but you need a lot of ceiling clearance to do so.
Some rowers are almost 8 feet long. Less expensive options are often less sturdy. Rowers with video classes carry monthly subscription fees. Like any piece of exercise equipment, a rowing machine can incur damage. Look for a machine designed with repairable parts and backed by a warranty. The Concept2 RowErg is seemingly everywhere—populating boathouses, gyms, and homes—for a reason. The foot adjustments are secure and easy to alter, and the seat feels solid, not slippery.
Replacement parts , should you ever need them, are readily available. Compared with using our top pick, though, rowing on this machine is less like rowing on water.
Rowing is a total body workout. If your legs have taken a pounding from running, a rower can be a good replacement for cardiovascular exercise. Longtime rowing coach Neil Bergenroth said that rowing is low-impact, easy on the joints, and an efficient way to balance aerobic conditioning with some strength training. A good at-home rowing machine should last 10 to 15 years, Tom Terhaar , director of rowing at Columbia University, told us.
