Rowing Machines : Best Rowing Machine

How to Choose the Best Rowing Machine

Rowing is a great exercise, and it is becoming increasingly popular as an at home fitness option. To choose the best rowing machine, several things must be considered.

Rowing machines once were made with cheap hydraulic pistons, that produced a dragging rather than gliding feel, and was not indicative of the best rowing machine choices. Now many units feel and sound like you are actually rowing on water, thanks to the use of flexible graphite composite and water-filled flywheel tanks. Electronic control panels will normally offer a number of pre-set program options and display elapsed time, stroke count, strokes per minute, calories burned, even tempo. When purchasing a rowing machine, consider these high end options to make sure you are getting the best rowing machine for you.

Gym rowers are likely to boast flashier electronic features than most home models and will probably come closer to duplicating the feel of rowing a boat. Still, home versions have plenty of nice features that should serve the average user well, and are the best rowing machine option if you are not going to use a gym membership. Plus, many home models fold easily for storage, which can come in handy in cramped spaces.

The best rowing machine models can be found for about $600, but quickly climb to the $2,000 range for models with lots of bells and whistles. Though cost does not necessarily indicate the best rowing machine for your needs, a very inexpensive model will be suspect as it may not be of a high quality construction.

Some rowing machines are designed to perform other kinds of exercises as well, but usually wind up sacrificing the unit's ability to mimic true rowing. For the truest feel, and the best rowing machine, stick to models that focus on rowing. Glide back and forth on the seat to make sure it moves smoothly and feels comfortable. The best rowing machine should accommodate rowers of varying heights equally well. Make sure the seat supports the lower back.

Enter your search terms Submit search form