When trying to get a foot in the door as a rower or just someone looking to give their general fitness a boost it can be hard to decide which rower is best for you. With so many different options and model’s sometimes there is just too much choice.
This is a quick guide to the best rowing machine for beginners, with our recommendations based around different people’s criteria, so you can choose the rowing machine for beginners that suits you best.
They’re summed up in this table below. If you want to skip all the other talk and you just want to know which specific rowing machine for beginners are currently the best to go for, then they’re all right here in one place for you.
| Editor’s Award | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Rowing Machine for Beginners | MaxKare Magnetic Rowing Machine |
| Best Magnetic Rowing Machine | Fitness Reality 1000 Magnetic Rowing Machine |
| Best Water Rowing Machine | Mr Captain Water Rowing Machine |
| Best Air Resistance Rowing Machine | Concept2 Model D Indoor Rowing Machine |
Click to jump straight to each topic.
- Why You Need a Rowing Machine for Beginners
- What to Look for in a Rowing Machine for Beginners
- The Best Rowing Machine for Beginners Reviewed
- Other Worthy Mentions
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why You Need a Rowing Machine for Beginners
Rowing is one of the best all-round workouts with tons of benefits, its great for toning muscles, losing weight, and gives you increased energy. If you double up and combine this workout with a balanced healthy diet you will see amazing results. If you’re like me and just cant stick diets then don’t worry even just light rowing adds up very quickly into weight loss.
What to Look for in a Rowing Machine for Beginners
When purchasing a rower for the first time it’s important to keep in mind a couple of things in mind. This is just a shortlist of somethings to keep in mind when purchasing a rower to ensure you end up with a machine your happy with rather than a lighter wallet and a large unused box in the garage.
Type of Rower
There are a couple of different rower types available and the difference between them all is how they generate resistance.
First up you have the air type rowers which are your typical standard rower that you are used too. These rowers use air to generate the resistance which means the harder you pull the more resistance is generated. Depending on personal preference some people prefer the control on resistance this gives as it allows you to adjust on the fly mid-workout.
Magnetic rowing machines are another type, as you can probably guess from the name these types of rowers produce resistance by magnets and the benefits of this is a solid unchanging level of resistance. This is good for someone who just wants a consistent resistance during a workout. The added benefit of magnetic rowers is that they are near-silent when compared to the other types. This means your workout can be done early in the morning or late at night with no risk of waking the household.
Last but not least we have the water-resistance rowers which use water to generate resistance. As you can imagine these types of rowers are the closest thing to real outdoor rowing and tend to be preferred by people who are looking to simulating a traditional outdoor rowing session.
Size
When purchasing any piece of gym equipment its best to think about size and placement. Luckily for you, most rowing machines are fairly compact and can fold up for easier storage. But thinking about storage before a purchase can save you a few headaches later down the line.
So, putting all of this together, let’s look at our recommendations for the best rowing machine for beginners out there right now.
The Best Rowing Machine for Beginners Reviewed
Best Rowing Machine for Beginners: MaxKare Magnetic Rowing Machine
Best Rowing Machine for Beginners
MaxKare Magnetic Rowing Machine
The MaxKare is a great choice for a first-timer buyer its a great entry-level machine that’s packed with features to help enhance your workout.
It features a large LCD screen that can be used to keep track of your workout metrics along with workout programs of varying levels of difficulty.
Being magnetic the rowing action is practically silent along with having a whopping 16 levels of resistance which means it will last your from your first beginner sessions all the way to those grueling calorie-burning marathons.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
Best Magnetic Rowing Machine: Fitness Reality 1000 Magnetic Rowing Machine
Best Magnetic Rowing Machine
Fitness Reality 1000 Magnetic Rowing Machine
The MaxKare is great for a first time rower but if you are looking for something a little more high-end you can’t go wrong with the fitness reality.
Like the Maxkare this magnetic rower is silent and comes with an extremely handy workout app that lets you track your metrics and take control of your workout digitally.
The extra-long handlebar and extended slide rail allows for enhanced comfort which really makes a difference during a workout.
The benefit of the Fitness reality is it can also be used in an upright position to hit additional muscle groups.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
Best Water Rowing Machine: Mr Captain Water Rowing Machine
Best Water Rowing Machine
Mr Captain Water Rowing Machine
For those’s who want to replicate the feel of rowing on the water then the Mr captain is perfect.
With its sleek wooden design, this is one of the better-looking rowers out there. Featuring a Bluetooth LCD panel you can really bring the most of your rowing experience due to it allowing custom workouts.
The seat is designed for comfort and is extremely padded which makes rowing a delight.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
Best Air Resistance Rowing Machine: Concept2 Model D Indoor Rowing Machine
Best Air Resistance Rowing Machine
Concept2 Model D Indoor Rowing Machine
If you have heard the name of any rower before it would be the concept 2. Its the world best-selling rowing machine and you usually see at least one of these at your local gym.
It’s a solid design that also features an LCD panel that can connect to a large range of fitness apps.
If you are going to purchase any air-based rower it better be a concept 2.
Check the latest price on Amazon.
Other Worthy Mentions
ATIVAFIT Magnetic Rower Rowing
Another great magnetic rowing machine that’s fairly compact and would be suited to an apartment or small home gym.
With 8 levels of resistance its a great purchase for someone looking to kit out a gym on a budget.
- Non-Slip Foot Pedals & Padded Grip Handlebar
- Sturdy, steel frame construction
Circuit Fitness Deluxe Foldable Magnetic Rowing Machine
The circuit fitness features an 11 pounds magnetic fly wheel with adjustable resistance. It’s another perfect pick for someone who wants a modern looking design to match their other gym equipment.
- Intelligent Design
- Foam-covered Handle Bars
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should a beginner use a rowing machine?
Depending on level of fitness you should start slow and try just 4-5 minutes of rowing and slowly ramp it up to a level of difficulty that’s suitable.
Is a rowing machine good for beginners?
Rowing machines are great for beginners and are a great way to lose weight, tone muscle and improve your mental well being.
Can I get fit just rowing?
Just rowing is a great way to get fit, It hits all the right muscles and is just a great all round workout. Rowing is a cardiovascular exercise that offers a 60/40 split between lower and upp body and its the only one to do so which makes it perfect for getting fit.
We hope this list of the best rowing machine for beginners has been helpful.
If there’s anything good that you think we’ve missed, or if you have any questions about anything, then let us know down in the comments below.
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