The Rowing TutorThe Rowing Tutor
Rowing Machines
A rowing machine is one of the few pieces of home gym kit that trains your legs, back, core and arms in a single movement, without pounding your joints. Choosing one is harder than it should be, because prices run from budget folding rowers to connected machines with a monthly membership on top.
Start with what you actually need. Decide how much room you have, how much noise your home can take, and whether you will row to your own plan or want classes to keep you going. Air, water and magnetic machines each suit a different answer.
Our guides are based on published specs and retailer listings, and we say plainly who should not buy each machine. You will also find honest comparisons with other gym kit, and advice on keeping your rower running well for years.
Best place to start
Rowing MachinesBest Rowing Machine in the UK (2026)The best rowing machine for most UK homes is the Concept2 RowErg at around £990. Here is who should pick a WaterRower, Hydrow or a cheaper air rower instead.Rowing MachinesConcept2 RowErg Review (UK, 2026)A research-based review of the Concept2 RowErg: around £990, no subscription, a PM5 monitor and a five-year frame warranty, plus who should buy something else.Rowing MachinesBest Rowing Machine for Beginners in the UK (2026)The best rowing machine for beginners is the Concept2 RowErg if you can afford around £990. Cheaper starts, classes and what to avoid.
Buying guides
Rowing MachinesAir vs Water vs Magnetic Rowing Machines: Which Is Best?Air, water, magnetic or electromagnetic rowers compared: how each feels, what each costs, and which UK buyers should choose which, with real models at each price.Rowing MachinesBest Folding Rowing Machine in the UK (2026)The best folding rowing machine on paper is the Xterra ERG780 at around £449 to £499, with the Viavito Sumi at around £169 for tight budgets.Rowing MachinesBest Rowing Machine for Beginners in the UK (2026)The best rowing machine for beginners is the Concept2 RowErg if you can afford around £990. Cheaper starts, classes and what to avoid.Rowing MachinesBest Rowing Machine for Small Spaces in the UK (2026)Short of floor space? The WaterRower Lite stands upright and is light to move. We compare upright and folding rowers by footprint, stored size, weight and ceiling height.Rowing MachinesBest Rowing Machine in the UK (2026)The best rowing machine for most UK homes is the Concept2 RowErg at around £990. Here is who should pick a WaterRower, Hydrow or a cheaper air rower instead.Rowing MachinesBest Rowing Machine Under £1,000 in the UK (2026)The Concept2 RowErg at around £990 is the best rowing machine under £1,000. Compared with WaterRower, FluidRower, JTX, Echelon and NordicTrack, with subscription costs.Rowing MachinesBest Rowing Machine Under £500 in the UK (2026)The Xterra ERG780 at around £449 to £499 is the best rowing machine under £500. Compared with the Domyos 500B, Viavito Sumi, JTX Freedom Air and Body Power AR30.Rowing MachinesHow to Find a Concept2 Rowing Machine for SaleWhere to buy a new or used Concept2 RowErg in the UK, what to check on a second-hand machine, and how much to expect to pay.Rowing MachinesRowing Machines Without a SubscriptionWhich rowers work fully without a monthly fee, from the Concept2 RowErg to budget air and magnetic models, and what to weigh up before you choose one.Rowing MachinesThe Benefits of Owning a Water Rowing MachineThe benefits of owning a water rowing machine: smooth feel, upright storage, a softer sound. Plus prices from around £899, tank weight and the trade-offs.Rowing MachinesWhat Rowing Machines Do Gyms Use?Why most gyms use the Concept2 RowErg, what the PM5 monitor does, and which other commercial rowers you may find at a UK gym or club.Rowing MachinesWhere to Find Rowing Machines Near MeHow to find a rowing machine to try near you in the UK: gyms, rowing clubs, retailers and online, plus what to check before you buy one for home.Rowing MachinesWhich Rowing Machines Have Games?Rowing machines with built-in games and virtual racing, from the Concept2 PM5 to Ergatta and Hydrow, and what to know about cost and subscriptions.Rowing MachinesWhy Are Rowing Machines So Expensive?What you pay for in a rowing machine: build quality, flywheel and rail, monitors, screens and content. Plus cheaper routes, from budget models to second-hand.
Reviews
Rowing Machines5 Things You May Not Know About the Concept2 RowErgFive things you may not know about the Concept2 RowErg: two leg heights, what the damper does, hidden PM5 games, heart rate pairing and how it splits in two.Rowing MachinesConcept2 RowErg Review (UK, 2026)A research-based review of the Concept2 RowErg: around £990, no subscription, a PM5 monitor and a five-year frame warranty, plus who should buy something else.Rowing MachinesHow the Concept2 Rowing Machine Changed RowingHow the Concept2 ergometer became the standard training tool in rowing, from its 1980s origins to the 2k test, indoor racing and the PM5 monitor.Rowing MachinesJTX Ignite Air: A Budget Air RowerWhat the JTX Ignite Air offered as a budget air rower, what to check on the current JTX range, and which affordable machines are worth comparing now.Rowing MachinesThe Hydrow Rowing Machine ReviewA guide to the Hydrow Origin (formerly Hydrow Pro) and Hydrow Wave: size, screen, price, the monthly membership, and who they suit compared with a Concept2.
Comparisons
Rowing MachinesConcept2 vs WaterRower vs Hydrow: Which to Buy in the UKConcept2 RowErg, WaterRower Original or Hydrow? Prices, noise logic, storage, warranties and what Hydrow's membership means for the cost of owning one.Rowing MachinesRowing Machine vs Swimming: Which Is the Better Workout?Rowing machine vs swimming: calories per 30 minutes are within 5% at vigorous effort, so access and skill decide it. Tables, sessions and a weekly plan.Rowing MachinesRowing Machine vs VersaClimber: Which Is Better?Rowing machines and VersaClimbers both give a full-body cardio workout. See how they differ in movement, cost, availability and who each one suits.Rowing MachinesRowing Machines vs Cable Row MachinesRowing machines build fitness; cable row machines build back strength. Compare reps, calories and muscles, and see how to use both in one weekly plan.Rowing MachinesRowing Machines vs CrossFit: Which Is Better?Compare steady rowing machine training with CrossFit classes: cost, injury risk, variety and coaching, and how many people combine the two.Rowing MachinesRowing Machines vs Cycling: Which Is Better for You?Rowing machines are better for whole-body fitness at home; cycling is better for getting outdoors. Compare muscles, calories, cost and a mixed weekly plan.Rowing MachinesRowing Machines vs Elliptical TrainersRowing machines suit you if you want upper-body work and measurable progress; elliptical trainers are easier to learn. Compare muscles, calories and space.Rowing MachinesRowing Machines vs Exercise Bikes: Which Is Right for You?Compare rowing machines and exercise bikes on muscles worked, joint load, learning curve, space and cost, to decide which suits your home and goals.Rowing MachinesRowing Machines vs GymnasticsRowing machines build aerobic fitness and endurance, while gymnastics builds body control, strength and flexibility. See how they differ and how to combine them.Rowing MachinesRowing Machines vs Indoor ClimbingRowing machines win for heart and lung fitness; indoor climbing wins for grip and skill. Compare the demands, risks and a week that combines both.Rowing MachinesRowing Machines vs Leg PressRowing machines build stamina; the leg press builds leg strength. Compare load, reps and muscles, with a combined session and the mistakes to avoid.Rowing MachinesRowing Machines vs Long-Distance WalkingWalking is accessible, free and gentle, while rowing machine work is more intense and trains the upper body too. Compare them and see how to combine them.
Care and accessories
Rowing MachinesConcept2 Rowing Machine Accessories Worth BuyingPractical add-ons for a Concept2 RowErg: seat pad, heart rate strap, cleaning and lubrication, a mat, a device holder, plus what you can safely skip.Rowing MachinesHandy Rowing Machine AccessoriesThe handy rowing machine accessories worth buying first: a floor mat, cloth, chain oil and heart rate strap, with what to look for and what to skip.Rowing MachinesHow to Clean Your Rowing MachineA step-by-step routine for cleaning a rowing machine: wiping the frame, rail and handle, cleaning the seat, and keeping moving parts running smoothly.
Workouts
Rowing MachinesAdding a Rowing Machine to Your CrossFit RoutineHow the rowing machine fits into CrossFit-style training: what it adds, how to pace it, sample workouts and how to avoid technique breakdown when tired.Rowing MachinesDynamic Stretching for Rowing Machine UsersDynamic stretching for rowing machine users: a 5-minute routine of six moves for hips, back and shoulders, why it beats long holds, and mistakes to avoid.Rowing MachinesHow to Add Rowing Machine Workouts to Your Fitness RoutineA practical guide to fitting rowing machine sessions around other training, with sample weekly layouts, session types and tips on recovery and progression.Rowing MachinesHow to Build Consistency With Rowing Machine WorkoutsBuild consistency with rowing machine workouts: three fixed sessions a week, a 10-minute fallback, a simple log and a clear rule for handling missed days.Rowing MachinesHow to Cool Down After Rowing Machine WorkoutsCool down after rowing machine workouts with 3 to 5 easy minutes, five stretches and water. See timings by session type and what a cool-down won't do.Rowing MachinesHow to Use a Rowing Machine to Increase Your StaminaBuild stamina on the erg with easy steady rowing, interval work, sensible pacing and enough recovery. A practical guide with example sessions.Rowing MachinesHow Yoga Can Improve Your Rowing Machine PerformanceYoga can improve rowing machine performance by opening your hips and hamstrings for a better catch. Use this 15-minute routine and 8 poses matched to rowing.Rowing MachinesRowing Exercises Without a Rowing MachineThe best rowing exercises without a rowing machine: squats, hip thrusts, bent-over rows and planks, plus a 20-minute circuit and cardio swaps you can use.Rowing MachinesRowing Machine Exercises for a Full-Body WorkoutFour rowing machine exercises for a full-body workout: steady rows, intervals, power strokes and a 23-minute circuit, with rates, timings and a balanced week.Rowing MachinesRowing Machine Workouts for Aerobic PerformanceThree rowing machine sessions that build your aerobic base: a steady long row, longer intervals and a threshold piece, plus pacing and fuelling tips.Rowing MachinesRowing Machine Workouts for Anaerobic PerformanceWhat anaerobic training means for rowers, and three hard, short rowing machine sessions with proper rest, plus guidance on frequency and safety.Rowing MachinesThe Benefits of HIIT on a Rowing MachineHow to run high-intensity intervals on a rowing machine: why the erg suits them, example sessions, common mistakes and safety points.Rowing MachinesThe Benefits of Rowing Machine Interval TrainingWhy intervals work on a rowing machine, how to structure them, and four sessions to try, from easy 1-minute repeats to harder 4-minute efforts.Rowing MachinesThe Best Rowing Machine Workouts for Weight LossFour rowing machine sessions that suit people aiming to lose weight, with a realistic view of what rowing can and cannot do alongside diet and consistency.Rowing MachinesThe Do's and Don'ts of Rowing Machine WorkoutsThe do's and don'ts of rowing: warm up for 5 to 10 minutes, set the damper to 3 to 5, drive with the legs, keep a 1:2 ratio and change one thing a week.
Using your rower
Rowing Machines5 Ways a Rowing Machine Can Support Your Health5 ways a rowing machine supports your health: heart, muscle, weight, mood and sleep. Plus what the research says about immunity and when to rest if ill.Rowing MachinesAre Rowing Machines Good?Rowing machines give low-impact, full-body cardio. Here are the real benefits and limits, who they suit, and how to get the most from one.Rowing MachinesAre Rowing Machines Loud?How loud a rowing machine is depends on its resistance type, your technique and your floor. Here is what to expect from air, water and magnetic machines.Rowing MachinesAre Rowing Machines Safe?Rowing machines are low-impact and suit most people, but poor technique and overdoing it can cause problems. Here is how to row safely and when to see a GP.Rowing MachinesCan You Get Into Shape by Just Using a Rowing Machine?Yes, you can get into shape on just a rowing machine for cardio and endurance. See what it misses, a 115-minute sample week and how to measure progress.Rowing MachinesHow Do Rowing Machines Work?A plain explanation of rowing machine parts and resistance types: air, water, magnetic and hydraulic, and how the monitor turns your pull into pace and power.Rowing MachinesHow to Get in the Zone on a Rowing MachineTo get in the zone on a rowing machine, set one clear target, match pace to your level and row in 5-minute blocks. Includes a 30-minute session and fixes.Rowing MachinesHow to Use a Rowing MachineHow to use a rowing machine: set up in 4 steps, learn legs-body-arms, fix common faults and follow a 4-week beginner plan with rate and effort targets.Rowing MachinesHow to Use a Rowing Machine After an InjuryHow to use a rowing machine after an injury: get clearance first, start with 3 x 3 minutes, track pain out of 10 and build time before effort.Rowing MachinesIs 20 Minutes on a Rowing Machine Enough?Twenty minutes of rowing can be a useful session if you plan it well. See what it can achieve, how to structure it and when to row for longer.Rowing MachinesMeasuring Your Results on a Rowing MachineWhich numbers are worth tracking on an indoor rower, from split and stroke rate to test scores and heart rate, and how to record them so they mean something.Rowing MachinesSetting Realistic Goals on a Rowing MachineSetting realistic goals on a rowing machine starts with a baseline. See worked pace sums, example targets for 8 to 12 weeks and how to adjust when you miss.Rowing MachinesShould You Use a Rowing Machine With Osteoporosis?Using a rowing machine with osteoporosis: why the forward fold matters, what to ask your GP or physio, set-up changes to discuss and how to start gently.Rowing MachinesWhy Are Rowing Machines Called Ergs?Why rowers call a rowing machine an erg: the word comes from ergometer, a device that measures work. Where it began, how it is used, and why scores are comparable.Rowing MachinesWill a Rowing Machine Get Rid of Cellulite?An honest look at rowing and cellulite: why no exercise can promise to remove it, what rowing can do for strength and fitness, and what else may help.Rowing MachinesWill Rowing Machines Build Muscle?Rowing builds muscular endurance and some strength across your legs, back and arms, but heavy lifting is better for size. How to combine both.
Frequently asked questions
What should I look for in a rowing machine?
Check the length, how it stores, the maximum user weight, the monitor and any subscription cost. Then choose a resistance type: air suits training, water suits quieter home use, and magnetic is usually the quietest.
Do I need a subscription for a rowing machine?
No. Many machines work fully without one, including those with a simple performance monitor. Connected machines often need a paid membership for classes, so add that monthly cost to the price before you compare.
Will a rowing machine fit in a small home?
Often, yes. Most rowers are long in use, so measure the length plus some clearance. Folding rowers and models that stand upright take up much less floor space when stored, though upright models need enough ceiling height.
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