14 Races - Places

If you’ve ever used a rowing machine at the gym, chances are it’s from Concept2. Gym owners love it almost as much as online reviewers, and thousands of people give it a perfect five stars on Amazon.

With adjustable footrests and an ergonomic handle, this model can record your workout data and can even connect to your favorite fitness app. Not only does it support up to 500 pounds, it’s easy to assemble and you can also easily move it around your home thanks to its convenient caster wheels.

Shoppers say that this rower is smooth, very easy to assemble, and sturdier than its price might suggest, making it a great investment for newbies. It uses a magnetic mechanism for resistance, with 16 different levels of tension—and it offers a slip-resistant handlebar and large padded seating that holds up to 285 pounds. The machine is also foldable for convenient storage, making it a great option for small home gyms. All in all, it may not have all the bells and whistles of the upgraded models, but for many athletes, that’s OK—especially with a fairly affordable price tag.

Often lauded as the quietest kind of rowing machines, magnet-driven devices keep noise to a minimum—ideal for using at home, any hour of the day. This affordable option (from a brand that also makes one of our favorite exercise bikes) boasts eight resistance levels, on top of an “incredibly quiet” design, according to Amazon reviewers; it’s even possible to watch TV while you use it.

Sturdy and durable, it’s made of quality, heavy-duty steel and has a maximum weight capacity of 350 pounds—not to mention, it has a foldable design and wheels that make it easy to move around your home.

NordicTrack’s RW900 is the rowing machine to beat: With an ergonomic, molded seat made for comfort, an easy-to-use 22-inch touchscreen display, and powerful performance trackers, it’s a major upgrade on the rower you might be used to using at the gym.

Better yet, a one-year iFit membership, which includes personalized training built upon 26 coach-controlled resistance levels, comes with your purchase. Even as you’re sweating like crazy, the RW900 works quietly. And when you’re done, it folds up and wheels away for easy storage.

This Merach Rowing Machine has just about everything you could want in an at-home rower. It uses a magnetic flywheel system and allows you to toggle between 16 levels of resistance with a straightforward knob that controls the tension. It also connects to an app via Bluetooth so you can track and measure you workouts and accomplishments. Made with dual titanium alloy slide rails, it’s stable and quiet. It can hold up to 350 pounds and accommodate people who are up to 6’ 7” tall.

This rowing machine layers on the resistance with an electromagnetic drag mechanism. It has an ergonomically designed seat for comfort and an industrial-grade strap for smooth strokes. You can follow along with more than 4,000 rowing workouts on the machine’s 22-inch touchscreen display, or pivot the screen for mat workouts to switch things up. When you’re not using the lightweight equipment, you can store it vertically to instantly get back your floor space.

If you’re looking for a reliable rowing machine, this model has all the essentials necessary for a powerful at-home rowing workout. Because it uses a magnetic tension system (complete with eight levels of resistance), this rowing machine is always quiet.

It also comes with a large LCD console that displays your meters rowed, calorie count, and time—so you can easily keep track of your workout. And bonuses like the fully padded seat, no-slip foot pedals, and handlebars make it comfortable to row so you can go the distance.

With a magnetic tension system instead of air resistance, this popular rowing machine by Velocity is ideal for its whisper-quiet noise level. The design is great, too, coming in a sturdy aluminum frame with padded seating to reduce pressure on your lower back and an ergonomic handle for easy grip.

The machine is easy to assemble, according to reviewers, and it conveniently displays your stats on a large LCD screen. Not to mention, it even comes with a heart rate monitor to keep an eye on your workout intensity.

Details like a smartphone and tablet stand, a simple stats screen, and app compatibility elevate this rowing machine above the competition. It uses water for resistance, with six different customizable levels, and also has adjustable non-slip pedals as well as a large tablet stand—so you can comfortably watch TV during your workout.

Made of quality solid steel and able to support up to 330 pounds, the machine also has a sturdy build and a sleek design. Plus, its only noise is the calming sound of its 16 blades swishing water inside the tank.

This highly-rated rower has 16 fan blades enclosed in a water tank, creating the same feel and resistance you’d get while rowing on water. It has sweat resistant handlebars and a molded, padded seat for extra comfort, as well as an LCD monitor that shows your stroke count, calories, and distance, so you can create the perfect training plan for you.

There is one thing to consider, however: Reviewers say that the footplates tend to swivel and are not fixed, which means this option is probably better for experienced rowers who are already confident in their form.

If you're looking for a no-frills, compact rowing machine try this simple, sliding model that’s designed with 12 resistance levels. The handlebar doesn’t quite mimic rowing, but at this price, reviewers don’t really mind. It’s also designed with comfort in mind, providing foam handlebars, pivoting foot pedals, and a cushioned seat.

Plus, you can check up on your stats with a small forward-facing digital monitor that displays the time spent rowing and calorie count right on the handle–after which you can congratulate yourself on spending next to nothing.

With an intuitive LCD display and a convenient folding design, this surprisingly affordable magnetic rowing machine has rave reviews because it’s simple and dependable. Not only does it provide 16 different levels of resistance options, but the sturdy and durable design also can support up to 350 pounds.

The rower is easy to assemble, can fold right up for quick and convenient storage, and is easy to move thanks to its transport wheels. Plus, reviewers love how smooth and quiet the machine is while you’re using it.

This indoor rowing machine is hydraulic, delivering smooth, adjustable resistance that’s also budget-friendly. With 12 levels of adjustable resistance, the machine’s design ensures that it actually feels like the natural motion of rowing, with reviewers saying that it provides quite the workout.

Plus, it’s designed with comfort and convenience in mind: A deep, ergonomic seat and textured footplates allow you to row comfortably, and it also has a compact, foldable design, so that once you’re done, you can stow it away easily.

If you're looking for a stylish pick, this is it. Not only is it easy to set up, its ash wood frame is also a beautiful addition to any workout space. Water resistance makes you feel like you're really rowing on a lake, and the machine tracks your time, stroke rate, number of total strokes, and distance. Sturdy wheels allow you can easily move it around your home, which is a plus with a larger machine like this one.