8 Best Rowing Machines For Beginners in USA
Last Updated February 15, 2025
- Best Rowing Machines For Beginners in USA 2025
- 1. Best Overall Rower – Hydrow Pro Rower
- 2. Most Versatile Home Rower – NordicTrack RW900
- 3. Best Air Rower – Concept2 Air Rower
- 4. Most Comfortable Air Rower – AssaultRower Elite
- 5. Best Water Rower – Ergatta Rower
- 6. Best Water Rower Runner Up – CityRow
- 7. Most Affordable Tech Rower – ProForm 750R
- 8. Best Gamified Rower – Aviron
Welcome back! Here in this blog, we will go over our top best rowing machines for beginners. We will talk about a wide array of rowing machines ranging from: Magnetic rowers, Water rowers, and Air rowers. 🚣♂️🚣♀️
We have evaluated each rowing machine rower here to assess the overall content, how comfortable it is, and who it’s best suited for. 🏋️♀️
We’ll also highlight everything you need to know about each rower and explain why it’s on our best list, so you can find out which is best for you. 🌟
- Best Overall Rower – Hydrow PRO – Price: $1795
- Most Versatile Home Rower – NordicTrack RW900 – Price: $1999
- Best Air Rower – Concept2 rower – Price: $1139
- Most Comfortable Air Rower – AssaultRower Elite – Price: $1299
- Best Water Rower – Ergatta Rower – Price: $1894
- Best Water Rower Runner-Up – CityRow– Price: $1299
- Best Budget Rowing Machine – ProForm 750R – Price: $599
- Best Gamified Rower – Aviron Strong Rower – Price: $1799
So, let’s get started! 🎉
Best Rowing Machines For Beginners in USA 2025
1. Best Overall Rower – Hydrow Pro Rower
The original: stunning design, immersive full-body workouts on a pivoting, crystal-clear 22” display. Dimensions: 86″L x 25″W x 47″ H. Connect instantly to Bluetooth & heart rate monitors.
Product Verdict
- Fully immersive experience with high-quality outdoor rowing content 🌅
- Quiet, smooth magnetic resistance.
- 375-pound weight capacity supports a variety of users 💪
- Comfortable and adjustable seat and handle.
- “Just Row” option for non-guided workouts.
- Requires a monthly subscription for content access.
- Not ideal for very advanced rowers looking for adjustable resistance.
Price: $1795
Coming in at the top of our list is the Hydrow! 🏆
We’ve awarded this the “best rated rowing machines for home use” for several reasons.
One, this rower provides a fully immersive rowing experience. It’s comfortable, easy to use, has great content, and looks nice in your home 🏡. It has a very chic design with a stately look.
It supports up to 375 pounds, making it great for users of all sizes.
It also has a nice long rail length, so even taller users will get plenty of leg span 🦵. The 16-inch rail height makes it easy to get on and off, and it has magnetic resistance, so you have preset resistance levels 🎯.
It’s quiet and easy to use for new rowers. If you have no rowing experience at all, this is a great option, and it will challenge even the most advanced rowers 💥.
We enjoy the fully immersive experience with the Hydrow.
The 22-inch touchscreen does require a monthly subscription to access Hydrow’s content, but they have really impressive rowing content filmed outdoors, with super clear graphics on the screen 🖥️.
It makes for an overall immersive experience when using the Hydrow. They also have a “Just Row” option, so you can explore routes without a trainer outdoors as well 🚣♂️🌳.
We’re super impressed with their rowing content, and we find it to be top-notch.
The seat is lightly contoured to support your tailbone, it’s cushioned, and we find that it’s a nice size to support rowers of all sizes.
The handle is also surprisingly comfortable. It’s round, so you can get a nice grip, and it’s definitely the perfect length.
Overall, this is why we’ve picked the Hydrow as our top rower on this list!
2. Most Versatile Home Rower – NordicTrack RW900
Find your flow with a smooth and quiet rowing motion created by Silent Magnetic Resistance (SMR) – Experience a smooth, powerful full-body workout with the perfect resistance for your desired intensity. With iFIT integration, enjoy immersive workouts worldwide.
Product Verdict
- Offers a wide variety of workouts, both on and off the rower 🏋️♂️🚴♂️
- iFit-enabled with no additional subscription fee if you already own NordicTrack equipment.
- Flexible screen for off-machine training 📱
- Stable, well-built design.
- 250-pound weight capacity may be restrictive for some users.
- Magnetic resistance may be limiting for advanced rowers.
Price: $1999
Next on our list is the NordicTrack RW900 Rower.
🏅 We’ve awarded it the most versatile rower for home use.
On this 22-inch touchscreen, it’s iFit-enabled, so you have access to thousands of classes on and off the rower 🌐. The screen can tilt and pivot side to side, so you can use it on and off the rower 👏.
The RW900 just feels solid and stable to use. It has steel stabilizers and a large, oversized monorail that feels secure when you’re using it 💪.
One thing to keep in mind is that it has a 250-pound weight capacity, which we find to be a little on the lower end compared to other rowers on this list ⚖️. It’s only going to accommodate users up to that size.
We also recommend it for beginner and intermediate rowers. Like the Hydrow, the RW900 also uses magnetic resistance, so it’s super quiet 🔇.
However, the magnetic resistance does have a maximum limit, which is why we recommend it more for beginners and intermediates. Strong rowers and advanced users might not get enough power from it.
It also has two front wheels on the front stabilizer, so you can move it around if needed 🚗, and you can store it upright so it doesn’t take up too much space when you’re not using it 🏠.
One thing we really love about this rower is that it’s iFit enabled 💻. Of all the apps we’ve used on different rowers and machines, iFit by far provides the most options both on and off the equipment.
If you already have a NordicTrack machine at home, such as a bike 🚴♂️ or a Nordictrack treadmill 🏃♂️, you do not have to pay for an additional subscription. The subscription will cover additional pieces of equipment, so you can access and use the RW900 without paying an extra monthly fee.
It also provides multiple training options 🏅.
You can use it to row indoors, do outdoor classes on the water 🌊, or engage in cross-training, where you’ll do some weight lifting, hop on the rower for intervals, and then hop off again.
This really provides expansive training options, which is why we recognize this as the most versatile home rower.
If you’re looking for a similar rower that’s more affordable 💰, the NordicTrack RW700 is essentially the same rower with just a few tweaks. It provides the same content on a slightly smaller touchscreen, making it a more affordable option.
3. Best Air Rower – Concept2 Air Rower
The Concept2 RowErg offers a full-body, low-impact workout with unmatched precision and durability. Built by rowers for rowers, it’s the standard for training, testing, and racing. Designed to last, it includes the PM5 monitor and device holder.
Product Verdict
- Unlimited resistance, great for intermediate and advanced users 🔥
- Very durable and long-lasting 🏆
- Comfortable, ergonomic design 🛋️
- No plug is required for use 🔌
- The PM5 console allows for advanced features like workout tracking and competitions 🏁
- A basic, simple console design may not appeal to all users.
- Can produce noise due to air resistance.
Price: $1139
Next on our list is the Concept2 Air Rower. 🏅 We have rated this our “best rowing machines for beginners.
If you’re familiar with rowing, you’ll know the Concept2 is durable, long-lasting, consistent, and comfortable to use 🔥. There are so many things we love about it!
The Concept2 is an air rower, which means it has unlimited max resistance 💪, so we recommend this for intermediate to advanced rowers who love to row and want to get the most out of their rowing experience.
You can adjust the drag factor on the side of the flywheel to modify the drag slightly but still get maximum resistance 🔧. It supports up to 500 pounds, making it a great rower for users of all sizes 🏋️♀️.
It has a 14-inch rail height, so it’s relatively easy to get on and off 🦵. The ergonomics on the rower are well-designed, so it works for users of all sizes. You won’t find the catch too low or the recovery too short 🕰️. It has a nice long rail and a great design overall 🌟.
Additionally, the frame is relatively light, so it’s easy to move around 🚚. Most people store them inverted to save space when they’re not using it, and it doesn’t require a plug, so you can just hop on and go ⚡.
This is the PM5 console, and don’t be deterred—it’s simple and battery-powered 🔋. It lights up as soon as you start rowing, but it has surprising capabilities 🎮. There are built-in programs that you can customize to change the distance and time you want ⏱️.
There are also built-in games that are fun 🎯, and you can even upload your workout data to compete with users all around the world.
The PM5 is calibrated so consistently that your watt output can be the same on every Concept2, which is why it’s beloved and used in competitions like the CrossFit Games 🏋️♂️. It’s reliable and incredibly consistent.
The Concept2 is surprisingly comfortable too 💺. The saddle is lightly contoured to support your tailbone and has cushioning for extra comfort.
Plus, the handle is versatile. It’s round, so you can get a good grip, and you can even use one hand for single-arm rowing with the webbing between the handles 🤲.
That’s a big reason why we’ve named it our best air rower on this list!
4. Most Comfortable Air Rower – AssaultRower Elite
This rower’s goal was to develop a powerhouse rower that stands out from the competition. With its sturdy steel frame, cutting-edge design, and commercial-grade durability, the AssaultRower is the top rower in its class.
Product Verdict
- Highly comfortable and stable design.
- Great for both beginners and advanced rowers.
- Bluetooth enabled for heart rate training.
- Easy to adjust workout metrics (time, distance, calories).
- No plug needed – portable and easy to move.
- Heavier than some other air rowers.
- Simpler console compared to other machines like Concept2’s PM5.
- Some noise due to air resistance.
Price: $1299
Now we have the Assault Rower Elite 🚣♂️.
When we first got it, we were surprised by how comfortable it was 😮. It wasn’t what we were expecting 🤔, but that’s why we’ve named it the most comfortable air rower on our list 🏆.
It has a rugged design yet feels super sturdy and stable to use 🛠️. It’s rated for residential 🏠 and home use, so you’ll see it in gyms 🏋️♀️ and homes all around the world.
It accommodates up to 350 pounds, making it great for larger users. Strong rowers 💪 and advanced users will definitely gravitate toward it because it uses air resistance.
Air resistance does produce some noise 🔊, but as you row 🚣♂️, you won’t hit a max resistance limit 🚫—you can keep rowing 🏁, and you literally won’t outgrow it.
It’s great for advanced rowers 🏋️♀️, but we also feel like it’s excellent for beginners 🏅 as well because of the interface and how comfortable it is.
When you’re done using it, you can store it upright ⬆️, and it has front transport wheels 🚲, making it easy to move around if you need to 🏃.
It’s a little heavier than the Concept2 rower, but we find manoeuvring it around is straightforward and easy.
We were impressed by the overall functionality of this air rower. The console is a bit simpler than the PM5, but I find it to be easier to navigate. You can adjust the metric display to different readouts 📊, making it easy to see 👀.
You can also customize your workout for distance, time, or calorie burn 🔥, setting preset levels and working toward them 🎯. It’s Bluetooth enabled, so you can sync your heart rate chest strap ❤️💪, and your heart rate will display on the screen.
It’s designed to accommodate heart rate training as well 🧑⚕️.
It has preset intervals, such as a Tabata 20/10 interval ⏱️ or an inverted bottom with a 20/10 work set and 20 rest. You can also customize your own intervals. This rower has adjustable options 🔧 that are easy to navigate.
It doesn’t require a plug 🔌, so like Concept2, you can place this anywhere in your home or garage without needing to be near an outlet ⚡.
The monitor is battery-powered 🔋, so it powers right up as soon as you start to row.
So yes, this is a great all-around, comfortable air rower.
5. Best Water Rower – Ergatta Rower
Ergatta’s connected rower brings a fun, game-based workout experience right to your home. It provides a full-body, low-impact rowing session. The Ergatta Rower boasts a sleek look that’s easy to move and store. Crafted from locally sourced cherry wood, each rower is handmade in the USA.
Product Verdict
- Stylish, furniture-like design with a wood frame.
- Water resistance mimics outdoor rowing with a soothing sound.
- Comfortable, cushioned seat and textured handle for grip.
- Gamified content with competitions and races.
- Engaging, interactive touchscreen (17 inches).
- Resistance cannot be adjusted digitally; must add or remove water.
- Seat may feel low and cramped for larger users.
- Footboards are close together, limiting comfort for larger users.
Price: $1849
Next on our list is the Ergatta Water Rower 🚣♂️, and we’ve designated this the best water rower in 2025🏆.
As you can see, it has a very stately wood frame 🌳, and the stain makes it look like a piece of furniture. So this looks like something that belongs in your home 🏠 and not something that you dragged in from the garage.
We always have people notice the Ergatta when they walk through the studio 👀 because it does kind of stand out, and it just has a very unique, chic look.
I like how the frame sits directly on the floor; for me, that is really comfortable.
For some users, it might be a little bit limiting because you do have to get kind of low 👇, but you can see how the seat is just a little bit elevated.
The water 💦 is what generates your resistance 🏋️♂️, so as you pull on that handle 🖐️, there are paddles within the tank that move the water around. What that does is it most closely mimics rowing on an outdoor lake or river because you actually feel and hear the water moving 🌊🔊.
It’s a very subtle sound and very soothing as you’re rowing 🚣♂️.
So, there are a lot of people who absolutely love water rowers because they are so similar to the experience that you get when you’re rowing outdoors.
You cannot customize the resistance like you could on a magnetic rower 🧲 because you don’t have preset resistance levels ⚙️. You can only customize it by increasing or decreasing the amount of water 💧 in the tank.
That’s not difficult to do, and you do not have to drain the tank with each use 💦; you just throw a tablet in there, and you’re good to go ✅.
There are a lot of things about the Ergatta that I find very enjoyable and comfortable 😊. It might be slightly limiting for larger users 🚶♀️ simply because you do have to sit low down on that seat 🪑, and on this particular rower, the footboards 👣 are rather close together, which makes that catch just a little bit constricting if you are a larger user.
Yeah, and definitely, the seat 🪑 is a little bit smaller than other rowers on this list, so larger users might not find it provides just enough support 🧘♂️ for them.
Then, also, what really makes the Ergatta stand out 🌟 is on this 17-inch touchscreen, it has gaming content 🎮.
So, on other rowers on this list 📝, other rowers that we’ve tested 🔬, typically, usually just have trainer-led classes 🧑🏫. You’ll get guided rowing classes all around the world 🌍. This has computerized games, so you can do races 🏁. You can compete with other members 👯♂️, your friends.
If your friend has that Ergatta, then go on and compete 🤼♂️. It requires a subscription, but the content is just… it’s super engaging 🕹️. You can go on, you can row for five, ten minutes ⏱️, you can row for even longer ⏳, and if you’re competitive 💥.
I really feel like this is a great option 🏆.
We really like that the gaming content is paired with this beautiful water rower 💧🚣, and that’s why we’ve named it our best water rower on this list.
6. Best Water Rower Runner Up – CityRow
The CITYROW Max rower blends water, wood, and tech with a water resistance system and a 19.5″ touchscreen with high-fidelity speakers. It’s easy to store in under 20 seconds, taking up less space than an end table. Enjoy an unmatched full-body workout from the comfort of your home!
Product Verdict
- Larger frame, suitable for bigger users (375lb weight capacity).
- Adjustable resistance by adding more water.
- Variety of indoor video classes (strength, endurance, yoga).
- Great for beginners with form guidance.
- Storeable upright, with wheels for easy transport.
- Low seating can be difficult for some users to get on/off.
- Resistance is not adjustable through the touchscreen.
- No outdoor rowing content, unlike Ergatta.
Price: $1299
All right, now we have the CityRow Go Max 🚣♂️, and we’ve awarded it the best water rower runner-up 🥈.
It has a really similar design to the Ergatta, but we feel like the overall frame can accommodate larger users 🏋️♂️.
The footboards—your feet are a little bit wider 👣—and the seat is also a little bit larger 🪑 to be able to handle larger users. It also has a 375-pound weight capacity ⚖️, so it’s excellent for users up to that limit 💪.
It does sit pretty low to the ground, which is pretty consistent with water rowers 🌊.
Just something to be aware of—it might be a little bit harder to get on and off. I really prefer sitting a little bit lower 👇, and overall, I like water rowers.
They use that water resistance in that tank 💧, so it’s not adjustable like magnetic resistance 🧲. On the screen, you won’t be able to adjust the resistance, but you can add more water 🌊 to get more resistance.
As you’re rowing 🚣♀️, the water resistance just feels more realistic as you’re rowing outdoors, and it also just has a really nice, soft, soothing sound 🌊🎶 as you’re rowing. A lot of users tend to prefer it.
When you’re done using the CityRow Go Max, you can store it upright, and it also has wheels for easy transporting if needed 🛒.
Another thing that we really liked about the CityRow Go Max is the fact that it does include training content. Now, there is a distinct difference between the training content on this water rower and the Ergatta 🆚.
That’s a distinction that you will want to make when you’re evaluating both machines 🔍. The Ergatta includes gamified content 🎮—you jump on, you jump into a game, and you row.
The CityRow Go, by contrast, has indoor video classes 🎥 that are filmed in a studio 🏢 on a rower, so there are no outdoor classes. But there are different options with indoor training 🧘♂️.
You can do an interval class ⏱️, and you can do resistance classes as far as incorporating strength training, both on and off the rower 🚣♀️. You can do an endurance class 🏃♂️ where you go a long time on the rower ⏳, and they even have yoga options 🧘♀️.
So, you have more training options as far as variety on the CityRow Go Max 🎉.
Additionally, it is a great option for beginning users 👶 because, unlike the Ergatta, where you just jump on and go 🏃♀️, this includes tips on form 📝, how to get the most out of rowing 🚣, how to make sure that you’re not over-arching through the back, not leaning too far at the end of that drive.
So, it does include content that is customized for beginning users who maybe aren’t familiar with rowing but want to learn 📚.
That’s something that we really love about the CityRow Go 💖.
Again, you are using that water resistance 💧, which is quite soothing and something that a lot of people really appreciate 🥰. So, that’s why we have designated this our best water rower runner-up 🥈.
7. Most Affordable Tech Rower – ProForm 750R
“Best budget rowing machine for beginners”
The ProForm 750R is a mid-tier magnetic rowing machine featuring a small display and a device holder for streaming workouts. It offers a lot of tech features. At under $800, it’s a great value, especially when compared to high-end machines like the Hydrow Rower.
Product Verdict
- Good value for less than $600 +
- Quite sturdy+
- Optional membership program +
- Folds up for storage
- Lacks a large touchscreen for a more immersive experience.
- No advanced resistance customization like more premium rowers.
Price: $599
All right, rounding out our next best magnetic rowing machine is the ProForm 750R 🚣♂️. This is a quiet magnetic rower 🤫, and it does fold up.
So, unlike the other rowers on our list, this will fold in half ↕️ so that you can tuck it away in a corner, which makes it nice ✨.
It’s also very affordable 💸, so we have designated this our most affordable tech-enhanced rower 🏅.
It’s a great option for people who just want to jump into rowing 🚣♀️, not drop too much money 💰 on the beginning purchase, but get the benefit of impressive training 🏋️♂️.
And this console—we like it because it lets you… you can use iFit.
iFit comes free for the first month 🆓, so it’ll sync with iFit when you use your phone 📲 or tablet 🖥️ through the iFit app. You have the option to be able to use it for guided workouts 🏋️♀️, or you can check out your workout metrics 📊 on the screen, you can watch a movie on your own device.
So, it gives you a lot of options that way. Plus, we found it to be pretty comfortable 😌. I like the round handle 🖐️ on this rower; it lets you get those different grip options.
Another affordable rower that’s super comparable to this one is the ProForm Pro R10. It is the same design, it folds up, and it also just has a 10-inch touchscreen 📱, which is iFit-enabled.
So, if you want a nice, quiet magnetic rower like this one 🤫 but you want that screen instead of having to use your own, that’s another nice option as well.
8. Best Gamified Rower – Aviron
STRONG ROWER – A sleek, modern, and compact design paired with a diverse workout library and regular new releases to keep you motivated and committed for the long term.
Product Verdict
- Huge variety of gamified content (racing, first-person games, competitions).
- Resistance is adjustable through the touchscreen.
- Well-built with steel and aluminium frame, 20-inch seat height for easy access.
- Foldable with wheels for portability.
- Includes Netflix/Hulu streaming options.
- Higher price compared to other rowers.
- Requires a subscription for full access to gaming and content.
Price: $1799
So, a last-minute entry on our best rowers list is the Aviron 🚣♂️. We just got it in, and we’re so impressed with it that we wanted to add it to this list 💯.
We’ve also awarded it as the best-gamified rower.
It has really fun content and a huge variety of content. It has video games, so you can play racing games and first-person games. You can also compete 🤼♂️, and then you can do competitions against professional athletes.
There’s guided rowing 🚣♀️, scenic rowing, and then you can also stream Netflix and Hulu, so you can watch your favourite shows and movies.
So, it’s fun 🤩, and there’s a lot of engaging content on it.
Plus, the build of the rower itself is nice 🛠️. It’s made of steel and aluminium, and the seat sits up about 20 inches off the ground 🪑, so it’s pretty easy to get on and off 🚶♀️.
This is a hybrid rower, so it uses air 🌬️ and magnetic resistance.
So, you’ll have even more tension 💪. Plus, the resistance, you can adjust it within the touchscreen, so you get variability with your training 🏋️.
When you’re done using it, you can fold it in half. It folds in half just between the footboards and also has four wheels, so you can move it around really easily. We are really impressed with the Aviron. This is the Impact Series 💥.
They also have the Tough Series, which you can purchase as well.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this blog helps provide an overview of all of these rowers 🏋️♂️, their pros and cons ❓, and which one works best for you 🤔.
Rowing is a great exercise; it incorporates more than 85% of the muscles in your body 💥. It’s low-impact, quiet, and can be done by pretty much anyone 🙌.
Over the last few years, we’ve seen a lot of rowers come onto the market 🚀 as people start to look at ways to adopt this valuable exercise into their daily lives.
So, thanks for reading our “Best rowing machines in 2025 Amazon”, “8 Best Rowing Machines For Beginners in USA” if you have any questions comment down below.
