What’s the best rower for home gyms?
And how can you tell which one is right for you?
If you’re looking to add an indoor rowing machine to your home gym—which is an excellent idea since rowers have many health benefits and work several muscle groups — you probably have questions like those and more.
Fortunately, you’ve landed on this helpful guide, which will show you exactly what to consider when buying a rowing machine for your home gym. We’re also sharing answers to commonly asked questions to help you narrow your selection.
You can use the table of contents below to jump around to the sections that matter most to you. However, we encourage you to read through the whole thing so you don’t miss anything important to consider:
- 2 Questions to Ask Before Browsing Rowing Machines Online
- 5 Things to Consider Before You Buy a Rower Online
- The Top 3 Best Rowers for Your Home Gym in 2024
- Best Rowing Machine Overall: RW700
- Best Rower for an Immersive Experience: RW900
- Best Value Rower: RW600
With that out of the way, let’s dive in.
2 Questions to Ask Before Browsing Rowing Machines Online
It pays to answer these two questions first so you can quickly narrow down your selection.
This simple step will save you time and hassle from being overwhelmed by your options.
By the end of this section, you may have a better idea of which one is right for you.
The first question to answer is:
1. What Type of Rower is Best for Your Needs?
Before you can answer that question, it’s helpful to know more about your options.
Most indoor rowing machines use either air, water, or magnets to create resistance.
Each option has pros and cons, which we’ll discuss now, starting with air rowers.
1. Air Rowers
If you’ve ever used a rower at a commercial gym, it was probably an air rowing machine.
These rowers have a flywheel with a fan on the front. Air is circulated through the flywheel to create the resistance.
When you pull on the handlebars of these rowers, you control how fast the fan inside the flywheel spins.
The harder you pull it, the faster the fan spins, and the greater the resistance you’ll feel.
You can often adjust the resistance levels on air rowers by changing the damper settings. This allows either more or less air into the flywheel to increase or decrease the resistance.
While not identical to rowing on water, air rowers create a similar experience to actual rowing since you have to battle the wind resistance with each handlebar pull.
They’re also a more affordable option than the other rower types, which is why they’re commonly used at commercial facilities.
One of the drawbacks of wind rowers is that they’re often noisier than the other two types of rowers, and the noise only gets louder the harder and faster you row.
If you’re considering buying a rower for home use, you’ll want to think about whether having a noisy machine is a deal breaker for you. The other two types of rowers may be better suited for you if it is.
2. Water Rowing Machines
Want to feel like you’re actually rowing across a serene lake?
Compared to the other options, water rowers, as the name suggests, simulate as closely as possible what rowing in real life is like.
Instead of using a fan and air for resistance, water rowing machines use, you guessed it, water and a paddle that churns through the water just like you would in real life.
This combination of paddling through the water creates resistance each time you pull the handlebar towards your chest.
Like an air rower, the harder you pull, the greater the resistance as you try to churn the water faster.
And, since they don’t have that large fan, water rowers tend to be quieter than air rowers.
However, there are some drawbacks to water rowing machines.
With the large water tank at the front of the machine, water rowers are often bigger than air or magnetic rowers, which isn’t ideal if your home gym is smaller.
You may also be wondering, what about the water?
The tank’s water needs to be treated periodically to keep it clean and reduce bacteria buildup.
Because of that, the size and water treatment needed are two big factors to consider when browsing rowers online.
Do you have the space for a big rower?
And do you have the time to keep the tank clean?
If the answer to those questions is no, then you may want to look into the third option, especially if the noise level is a factor:
3. Magnetic Resistance Rowers
With this type of rower, two strong magnets are attached to the flywheel, and the distance between them creates resistance.
The closer the magnets are to the flywheel, the stronger the resistance will be.
Depending on the type of magnetic rower, the magnets are either moved mechanically with an adjustable knob or digitally with a tap of a button on a console.
One of the best features of this type of rower is that there’s far less noisy friction than water or air rowers, creating a quieter experience.
Using magnets for resistance, as opposed to moving water or air, also creates a more controllable and consistent resistance.
If you’re starting with rowing or you’re looking to strategically progress your fitness level, this type of rower offers the perfect level of ease and adjustability.
How to Decide Which Rower is Right for You
Now that you know the difference between these three rowers, you can begin to narrow down your selection.
Ultimately, the first deciding factor is your goals and current fitness level.
If you’re just starting out, using an air or magnetic rower may be easier to get used to, especially since you can fine-tune the resistance more.
For more experienced rowers looking to compete in real-world events, you may want to train on a water rower since it’s as close as you can get to the real thing.
However, the next factor you’ll want to consider is how much noise you can tolerate at home.
Magnetic rowers will offer the least amount of noise, while water rowers are in the middle. Air rowers are on the far end of the noise spectrum.
In addition, when considering water rowers, remember to add the maintenance time it takes to keep the water clean.
Lastly, consider how much room you have for a rower (more on this next).
Air and water rowers tend to have larger footprints, while magnetic ones are usually sleeker and smaller in design and take up less space.
2. How Much Space Do You Need for a Rower?
On the high end, the magnetic rowers featured in this guide are about 82” in length, 22” in width, and 54” in height.
For the best performance, leaving at least two feet of clearance around your machine and ensuring it’s on a level surface are also good ideas.
You should also measure your space before browsing rowers online.
If you’ve asked yourself, where should you place a rowing machine in your house?
The answer is: Most rowers should be kept indoors, away from moisture, extreme temperatures, and dust.
Placing your rower in a garage or a covered patio near water is not suggested.
And, if you’re wondering, what should I place under my rowing machine?
You can put an exercise-equipment-specific mat underneath it to protect your floor or carpet. Otherwise, a hard, level surface should suffice.
Now that you know more about the different types of rowers and how much space you’ll need for one, let’s dive into:
5 Things to Consider Before You Buy a Rower Online
From must-have features to frequently asked questions, here’s everything you’ll want to know before you purchase a rower:
1. Must-Have Features
What’s considered a must-have feature will vary based on a few factors, many of which are personal, but here are some of the top ones to consider:
1. Magnetic Resistance
You just learned about the different types of resistance found in rowers, but here’s why magnetic resistance may be the right choice, especially for home gyms.
It may not seem like much, but how the resistance is created on a rower can make the difference between a smooth, comfortable, quiet ride versus one that’s noisy, clunky, and hard to power through.
To create a smooth, quiet ride, NordicTrack rowers use SMR™, which stands for Silent Magnetic Resistance.
Magnets are strategically placed over the flywheel in either a full or half-moon position to adjust the resistance levels as you row.
Using these magnets makes the resistance frictionless and quiet, creating a smooth experience that’s great for working out at home.
So, while air and water rowers have their perks, magnetic rowers may be better suited for home use.
Another factor to consider is:
2. Having Adjustable Resistance Levels
A high-quality rower also offers a range of resistance levels for you to choose from.
This feature allows you to customize how easy or difficult your rowing workouts are.
As you improve your fitness, you’ll want to progress to the next level, which is only possible if the rower you’re looking at offers various resistance levels.
On top of that, consider how the resistance is adjusted.
Do you have to manually turn a knob?
This could be challenging to do mid-row.
A better alternative is having digital resistance levels that only require a quick button tap to increase or decrease the challenge.
3. Interactive Touchscreen Display Screens That Stream Virtual Workouts
Another feature you may not have given much attention to is the rowing machine’s display console.
At a minimum, any rower you’re considering should be able to track your stats, including how far you’ve rowed, your speed, the duration of your workouts, any estimated calorie burn, and other helpful metrics.
However, some indoor rowing machines on the market take this further by offering an interactive touchscreen display.
With this, you can stream motivating rowing workouts, such as those from the paid subscription service iFIT, that do the heavy lifting for you.
IFIT rowing workouts, for example, are preprogrammed with scenic rows from around the world with best-in-class Trainers.
You can even row alongside the two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Alex Gregory with iFIT.
4. Ergonomic Seat
A comfortable seat is another must-have feature to consider when browsing rowers online.
The NordicTrack rowers featured in this guide each have an oversized ergonomic molded seat to keep you comfortable with each row.
5. Comfortable Handlebar
You also want a handlebar that’s easy to grip and comfortable to hold.
The NordicTrack rowing machines in this guide also feature SoftTouch™ ergonomic handles for a comfortable experience.
6. Adjustable Pedal Straps
Having adjustable pedal straps is also something to add to your must-have list.
This adjustability ensures that you’re securely strapped in and can tailor your rower perfectly for your height.
7. Transport Wheels
Lastly, consider buying an indoor rower with front-mounted transport wheels if your home gym is small.
This must-have feature allows you to lift up the back end of your rower and easily roll it out of the way when it’s not in use.
2. Rowing Machine Weight Limit
In addition, be sure to check the weight limit on any rowers you’re considering.
Each brand has its own weight capacity, which may even vary between models within the same brand.
The three NordicTrack rowers featured in this guide have up to a 250-pound user weight capacity.
3. How Much Does a Rowing Machine Cost?
When browsing rowers online, you can find ones for as little as $200 up to a few thousand dollars.
Remember though, you get what you pay for with any exercise equipment.
Rowers on the lower end of the price scale will not offer the same must-have features or premium comfort as higher-end options.
The NordicTrack rowers in this guide range in price from $949 to $1,999 at the time of publishing this.
4. What Maintenance Does an Indoor Rower Need?
So far, we’ve mentioned that water rowers require extra maintenance to treat the water and keep bacteria away.
However, similar to other pieces of exercise equipment, you’ll also want to keep your rower in good condition for optimal performance.
Fortunately, this isn’t too difficult to do.
For the NordicTrack rowers in this guide, ensure each part is tightened correctly and that any worn parts are replaced.
Use a damp cloth and a small amount of mild detergent to clean your rower. Avoid using liquids on the console. It’s also essential to keep the console out of direct sunlight.
As for the rail maintenance, regularly clean the rollers under the seat using a damp cloth and mild detergent to remove any dust and debris.
5. Do Rowing Machines Come with a Lifetime Warranty?
Most indoor rowers on the market do not come with a lifetime warranty.
However, good ones still have some great coverage.
At NordicTrack, every rowing machine comes with the following warranty:
- 10-Year Frame Warranty
- 2-Year Parts Warranty
- 1-Year Labor Warranty
You can also purchase a NordicTrack Maintenance Plan, which covers repairs, annual maintenance, and more, or an Extended Warranty offering extensions in 1- or 3-year increments.
Learn more about both plans by visiting that page when you’re done here.
The Top 3 Best Rowers for Your Home Gym in 2024
If you’re looking for a rower that works well in home gyms, you can’t go wrong with one of these three options, which all use magnetic resistance:
1. The RW900 Indoor Rower
The RW900 rower features the largest screen size of all the NordicTrack rowers, a whopping 22”, so you can fully immerse yourself in the workouts and transport yourself out of your home gym.
On top of the touchscreen display, the SMR™ Silent Magnetic Resistance keeps your rides smooth and quiet.
At the same time, the ergonomic seat, SoftTouch™ handlebar, and oversized pedals offer premium comfort to keep you going.
The front-mounted transport wheels also let you quickly move your rower out of the way when it’s not in use.
The complete list of standout features of the RW900 rowing machine includes the following:
- 22-inch tilt and pivot smart HD touchscreen
- 26 Digital resistance levels
- Bluetooth® headphone connectivity
- Ergonomic molded seat
- Oversized pivoting pedals
- Adjustable nylon foot straps
- SoftTouch™ ergonomic handles
- Front-mounted transport wheels
- Inertia Enhanced Flywheel
- Ability to stream iFIT on-demand workouts (provided you have an active iFIT membership, sold separately)
- SmartAdjust™ capabilities (available with an active iFIT membership)
- 250lb user capacity
- Premium sound array
- 10-year frame warranty
- 2-year parts warranty
- 1-year labor warranty
2. The RW700 Rower
Enjoy the same comfort, engineering, and convenience as the RW900 but with a smaller screen size. Instead of the large 22” screen like the RW900, the RW700 rower has a 10” tilt and pivot smart HD touchscreen.
This rower also comes with SMR™ Silent Magnetic Resistance to keep your rides smooth and quiet, plus an ergonomic seat, SoftTouch™ handlebar, and oversized pedals, which offer premium comfort to keep you going.
You can also use the front-mounted transport wheels to move your rower out of the way when it’s not in use.
The full list of features of this rower include the following:
- 10” tilt and pivot smart HD touchscreen
- 26 digital resistance levels
- Bluetooth® headphone connectivity
- Ergonomic molded seat
- Oversized pivoting pedals
- Adjustable nylon foot straps
- Soft Touch™ ergonomic handles
- Front-mounted transport wheels
- Inertia Enhanced Flywheel
- Stream iFIT on-demand workouts directly to your rower (provided you have an active iFIT membership, sold separately)
- SmartAdjust™ capabilities (available with an active iFIT membership)
- 250lb user capacity
- Premium sound array
- 10-year frame warranty
- 2-year parts warranty
- 1-year labor warranty
3. The RW600 Rowing Machine
For those on a budget, the RW600 rower offers most of the must-have features—such as a smart 7” HD touchscreen display, 26 digital resistance levels, SMR™ Silent Magnetic Resistance, and more—for a fraction of the price.
You also get the SoftTouch™ handlebar, oversized pedals, and ergonomic seat for ultimate comfort.
Similar to the first two rowers, you can move this rowing machine out of the way when you’re finished using it thanks to the front-mounted transport wheels.
The complete list of features for the RW600 includes the following:
- 7-inch smart HD touchscreen
- 26 Digital resistance levels
- Bluetooth® headphone connectivity
- Ergonomic molded seat
- Oversized pivoting pedals
- Adjustable nylon foot straps
- SoftTouch™ ergonomic handles
- Front-mounted transport wheels
- Inertia Enhanced Flywheel
- Stream iFIT on-demand workouts directly to your rower (provided you have an active iFIT membership, sold separately)
- SmartAdjust™ capabilities (available an active iFIT membership)
- 250lb user capacity
- Premium sound array
- 10-year frame warranty
- 2-year parts warranty
- 1-year labor warranty
2024 Best Rowing Machine Overall: RW700
The RW700 comes in as the best rowing machine overall since it has a slightly lower price than the RW900 but offers the same great features as our top of the line rowing machine.
The 10” tilt and pivot smart HD touchscreen still offers an immersive experience when paired with iFIT (a separate paid membership), and you get our impressive SMR™ Silent Magnetic Resistance to keep your rides smooth and quiet.
The RW700 also has our ergonomic seat, a SoftTouch™ handlebar, and oversized pedals, which offer premium comfort to keep you going.
You can also use the front-mounted transport wheels to move your rower out of the way when it’s not in use.
Some other standout features of this rower include the following:
- 10” tilt and pivot smart HD touchscreen
- 26 digital resistance levels
- Bluetooth headphone connectivity
- Ergonomic molded seat
- Oversized pivoting pedals
- Adjustable nylon foot straps
- Soft Touch™ ergonomic handles
- Front-mounted transport wheels
- Inertia Enhanced Flywheel
- Stream iFIT on-demand workouts directly to your rower (a separate paid subscription service)
- SmartAdjust™ capabilities (provided you have an active iFIT membership, sold separately)
- 250lb user capacity
- Premium sound array
- 10-year frame warranty
- 2-year parts warranty
- 1-year labor warranty
To learn more about the RW700, visit that page now.
2024 Best Rower: RW900
For the ultimate at-home rowing experience, the RW900 delivers as the best rower.
The 22-inch smart HD touchscreen offers a truly immersive experience that makes it feel like you’re rowing in real life when paired with iFIT rowing workouts (you’ll need an active iFIT membership, sold separately).
The touchscreen display also tilts and pivots so you can enjoy workouts on and off your machine.
You’ll also find our SMR™ Silent Magnetic Resistance, which creates a smooth, quiet ride with each row, an ergonomic seat, a SoftTouch™ handlebar, and oversized pedals to keep you comfortable on your rowing journey.
The RW900 also features 26 digital resistance levels, our SmartAdjust™ technology (when used with an active iFIT membership, sold separately), and an inertia enhanced flywheel, which offers the perfect level of resistance to meet your current and future fitness goals.
The complete list of standout features of the RW900 rowing machine includes the following:
- 22-0nch tilt and pivot smart HD touchscreen
- 26 Digital resistance levels
- Bluetooth® headphone connectivity
- Ergonomic molded seat
- Oversized pivoting pedals
- Adjustable nylon foot straps
- SoftTouch™ ergonomic handles
- Front-mounted transport wheels
- Inertia Enhanced Flywheel
- Stream iFIT on-demand workouts directly to your rower (provided you have an active iFIT membership, sold separately)
- SmartAdjust™ capabilities (when used with an active iFIT membership)
- 250lb user capacity
- Premium sound array
- 10-year frame warranty
- 2-year parts warranty
- 1-year labor warranty
To learn more about the RW900, visit that page now.
Best Value Rower: RW600
Lastly, if you’re looking for a high-quality rowing machine at a lower price point, the RW600 comes in as the best value rower.
With this rower, you still get most of the must-have features—such as a smart 7” HD touchscreen display, 26 digital resistance levels, SMR™ Silent Magnetic Resistance, and more—for a fraction of the price.
You also get the SoftTouch™ handlebar, oversized pedals, and ergonomic seat for ultimate comfort.
Similar to the first two rowers, you can move this rowing machine out of the way when you’re finished using it using the front-mounted transport wheels.
The complete list of features for this best-value rower includes the following:
- 7-inch smart HD touchscreen
- 26 Digital resistance levels
- Bluetooth® headphone connectivity
- Ergonomic molded seat
- Oversized pivoting pedals
- Adjustable nylon foot straps
- SoftTouch™ ergonomic handles
- Front-mounted transport wheels
- Inertia Enhanced Flywheel
- Stream iFIT on-demand workouts directly to your rower (provided you have an active iFIT membership, sold separately)
- SmartAdjust™ capabilities (when used with an active iFIT membership)
- 250lb user capacity
- Premium sound array
- 10-year frame warranty
- 2-year parts warranty
- 1-year labor warranty
To learn more about the RW600, visit that link now.
Find the Rower That’s Perfect for You Today
We hope you found the information we shared in this rower buying guide helpful and that you’ve narrowed down which one could be right for you.
Before we sign off, we also want to share one last tip: research where you’re getting it from before purchasing a rowing machine online.
In many cases, it pays to go direct, buying from NordicTrack.com, for example, to ensure you’re getting the best quality product and the exact warranties that it comes with.
Doing so will save you headaches and hassles both in the short and long term.
And, if you have questions about any of the rowers we mentioned here, feel free to reach out at 1-888-308-9616 or use the chat box in the bottom right corner of your screen to talk to a customer service agent.
Disclaimer: The primary purpose of this blog post is to inform and entertain. Nothing on the post constitutes or is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. Reliance on any information provided on the blog is solely at your own risk. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, and please consult your doctor or other health care provider before making any changes to your diet, sleep methods, daily activity, or fitness routine. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of information available on this blog. NordicTrack assumes no responsibility for any personal injury or damage sustained by any recommendations, opinions, or advice given in this article. Always follow the safety precautions included in the owner’s manual of your fitness equipment.
