A home Rowing Machine is excellent exercise equipment if you can’t spare time to visit the gym. It is a low-impact exercise that can be equally suited to beginners and people undergoing rehabilitation as it can be for athletes and fitness enthusiasts with some models offering high-resistance and advanced features.

Rowing machines can help you lose weight, improve your cardiac endurance and resilience, and tone your muscles. If you’re looking to purchase one, here are the best options in Australia!

Quick Picks

Below are the best home rowing machines available in Australia to choose from.

• Our Top Pick: Concept 2 RowErg (Model D) Rowing Machine
• Best Smart Rowing Machine: Nordictrack RW900 Smart Rower
• Best For Beginners: Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5606 Rower
• Best Foldable Rowing Machine: Everfit Foldable Magnetic Rowing Machine
• Best With Wooden Frame: Lifespan Fitness Rower 750 Rower
• Best Water-Resistance Rowing Machine: Merax Water Rowing Machine

Read the full reviews below to make a more informed decision.

1. Our Top Pick: Concept 2 Model D Rowing Machine

The concept2 RowERG was formerly known as the Model D and is one of the best-selling rowers worldwide. This home rowing machine is trusted by athletes and fitness lovers. Though an air resistance model, the Model D is designed to minimize noise and maximize smooth operation. It features 16 resistance levels, an adjustable footrest, and an ergonomic handle.

The Concept 2 rowing machine has a PM5 monitor that tracks your calories, distance covered, and speed. It can also connect with fitness devices, and heart rate monitors via Bluetooth. The machine runs via two D-cell batteries powered by the flywheel's spin. And the quantity of air passing to the flywheel can be controlled by dampers at 1-10 levels.

Its contoured 14-inch high seat supports long workout sessions comfortably. It's, however, a bit low, and users with knee problems might face some issues. Concept 2's robust frame with aluminium front and steel rear legs can withstand up to 227 kg of user weight thanks to its commercial-grade quality.

It is portable due to its low weight, front foot wheels, and construction, allowing you to separate it into two parts for easy storage.

Pros

• Good Portability
• 1-10 damper levels
• 16 Resistance levels
• Efficient performance monitor
• Great for the cardiovascular workout

Cons

• Expensive
• A little noisy
• Takes batteries to run the monitor
• 14” Seat height (problematic for people with joint issues)

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2. Best Smart Rowing Machines: NordicTrack RW900 Smart Rower

NordicTrack RW900 is a full-body workout machine with various smart features. It has two resistance mechanisms; magnetic and air. The magnetic resistance can be adjusted with a button click, while the air resistance is modified manually. Magnetic resistance also offers enough resistance to build stamina, while air resistance can create even more fast-paced resistance for high-intensity workouts.

The RW900 features 20 resistance levels and an ergonomically designed seat, handlebar, and foot pedals for ultimate comfort. The pedals are oversized for secure footing and include Velcro straps for quick adjustment. NordicTrack's rower has high mobility due to transport wheels. This smart rower is also built on a SpaceSaver design that allows you to fold and store easily. It also supports user weights of up to 130 kg.

The home rowing machine features a 22-inch HD touchscreen with an adjustable console. On purchase, you get a 1-year membership of iFit to partake in workout classes by experienced trainers. This will boost your workout drive and offer tailored workout plans for your fitness goals in the comfort of your home. Plus, it’s not compulsory to renew your membership after it expires. The machine comes with a 2-year warranty.

Pros

• Adjustable screen arm height
• Two resistance mechanisms
• Portable and foldable
• Wi-Fi connectivity
• Interactive personal training (iFit) for immersive workout
• Easy to assemble
• Smooth and quiet workout

Cons

• Quite Expensive
• No Bluetooth support (But you can use a Bluetooth transmitter in the headphone jack)
• Hectic to plug and unplug every time at the start and end of a workout

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3. Best For Beginners On a Budget: Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5606 Rower

This elastic cord rowing machine joins our list due to its high-end performance despite being low priced. It is perfect for use by novice rowers at home. It provides an outstanding experience while helping with burning calories and building muscles.

The frame of the product is built of top-grade steel. It has large anti-slip pedals with good grip straps. The elastic cord allows four adjustment levels of resistance. The SF-RW5606's foldable design is also quite handy, making it portable and easy to store. It features transportation wheels for easy mobility and floor stabilizers to keep the machine in place while in use.

This rowing machine also features an easy-to-read LCD monitor showing the stats of calories burned, total count, scan, count per minute, and time. This machine is short and can only handle a user weight of up to 100 kg. Thus, it's not ideal for bulky or very tall users.

Pros

• Very affordable
• Foldable frame, thus easy storage
• Non-slip or padded handlebars
• Adjustable floor stabilizers
• Large cushioned seat
• 44-inch slide rail inseam
• High portability

Cons

• Less maximum user weight
• Outdated monitor
• Perhaps prone to cord breakage over the long term

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4. Best Foldable Rowing Machine: Everfit Foldable Magnetic Rowing Machine

Everfit Magnetic Rower is a simple but useful machine. This is for you if you are looking for an easily foldable rower. Its space-saving design makes it extremely handy for users with small room space or people who travel a lot.

This fitness machine uses a magnetic resistance mechanism to tone your muscles, which is manually adjustable between 1 and 10. It is also quiet and smooth during operation. Everfit's home rowing machine also features a large LCD to monitor the progress of your workout. You can track the total count, time, scan, and burned calories here.

The steel-made frame is sturdy enough to handle a weight of up to 150 kg. The moulded seat also provides good comfort while burning calories during strenuous workouts. It has anti-slip footrests featuring adjustable straps to secure your feet and a 1-year warranty.

Pros

• Easy and compact storage
• Affordable
• 10 resistance levels
• Heavy-duty wheels for mobility
• Large LCD screen
• Easy to set up
• Quieter workout due to magnetic brake system
• Easy transportation with rollers

Cons

• Resistance is a bit weak (Magnetic tension may not satisfy fitness enthusiasts)
• Not ideal for tall individuals
• Machine moves while rowing

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5. Best With a Wooden Frame: Lifespan Fitness 750 Rower

This Lifespan rowing machine has a progressive and natural resistance system that won’t allow any delay in the resistance. You’ll feel a smooth and consistent rowing experience from start to finish.

It features an LCD screen that shows the speed, distance, and calories burned during workout sessions in easy-to-read figures and can hold a maximum user weight of up to 200 kg. There is no knob to adjust the resistance level on the Lifespan Fitness Rower 750 Rower.

Though Lifespan provides a 1-year warranty for parts, constant repairs are the least of your worries with this rowing machine. The frame is made of Timber wood with latex cord and heavy-duty polypropylene fibre. This robust structure provides an excellent workout or training session and the closest experience to on-water rowing. It requires water replacement and unit cleaning after six months to save it from potential damage.

On purchase, the machine is partially assembled; you just need to fit a few parts to get it done. You can easily assemble the machine via on-site assistance tutorials.

Pros

• Beautiful Oak wood frame
• Wheels for mobility
• Ergonomic and contoured seat
• Two-rail for added safety
• Adjustable Velcro straps on the footrest
• High-quality construction material
• Smooth rowing experience without jerkiness
• Easy-to-read display screen

Cons

• A bulky unit that requires a large space in your gym
• Prone to algae growth
• Regular maintenance of the water tank

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6. Best Water-Resistance: Merax Water Rowing Machine

The elegant design of the Merax rowing machine and the idea of placing the water tank in an inclined position is quite useful in creating more powerful resistance. This offers the home rowing machine much resistance power rowers with flat water tanks. With six water levels, users can fill the tank to their desired water level resistances or adjust with a funnel and pumping siphon, which are included during purchase.

The home rowing machine can support a user weighing up to 150 kg. It features an LCD monitor that shows your rowing intensity in duration, strokes, calories, distance, and heart rate. Its steel-built frame is quite robust and offers steady performance and durability. The quick start and stop options on the Merax Water Rowing Machine are also very convenient, allowing you to start rowing with a single button push.

Merax offers a good rowing experience with an ergonomic handle, contoured seat, and comfy footrest. You get a smooth and gliding experience while enjoying the relaxing sound of water splashes. Plus, the blue aqua water tank is always refreshing to the eyes.

Pros

• Front wheels for easy rolling
• Easily foldable equipment
• Sturdy makeup
• Space-saving upright storage
• Funnel and pumping siphon to adjust the resistance
• Long handlebars and footrests
• Comfortable seat
• Adjustable Velcro foot straps

Cons

• Less bright display makes it difficult to read

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Comparing Our Best Options

The table below compares the best six home rowing machines available in Australia to help you make an informed decision easily.

Buying Guide: What to Consider When Choosing a Home Rowing Machine

Every model has characteristic features that make them unique and comparable. You should be aware of all the important comparable features to make an informed decision before buying. Here are what to consider while purchasing a home rowing machine in Australia.

Build Quality

A good Rowing Machine should be well-built to last longer. A high-quality machine will be more durable and safer to use. This is the first to consider when buying a rower to get the most out of it. With stronger build material, there is less chance of malfunctions.

Inspect the following specific parts when looking for a quiet, comfortable yet stylish rowing machine.

1. Flywheel: Choose the machine with a heavier flywheel to get the best experience. Weight should not be too much that it would affect the portability. But still heavy enough to ensure smoother strokes while workout.
2. Handlebars: The size must be enough to accommodate the hand grip comfortably. It should be easy to adjust.
3. Seat: Padded seats are more comfortable than straight ones. They provide optimum comfort to your bottom.
4. Footplates: Choose footplates that are made of metal, as plastic ones can’t bear high pressure. Also, ensure they come with straps to secure your feet while rowing.
5. Frame or Rail: Always check the material strength of the frame to assess its sturdiness. The machine made of steel or Aluminum will be able to support enough weight for most users. Compare the maximum user weight of each option and select the one with the higher max user weight value.
6. Drive: Two types of drives are available: chains and belts. Chains are robust but noisier and require regular lubrication, while belts need less maintenance and are quieter to use. If you prefer a less noisy workout, then go for a belt; otherwise, pick the one with a chain.

Weight-Bearing Capacity

Different build materials allow different weight capacity rowers in the market. Make sure to buy a rower that can easily bear your weight. The machine may break if your weight exceeds the max user weight specification. Always ensure a good margin between the max user weight and your weight for the safety of your rowing machine.

Resistance Type

Thy main characteristic of a rowing machine is the type of resistance it offers for rowing the rope. These include magnetic, air, water, and hydraulic. Each has its good and poor sides. Most rowing machines also have adjustable resistance levels according to one’s requirements. Pick one with more level options for resistance. Let’s discuss the resistance mechanisms in brief.

1. Water Resistance: You get a realistic rowing experience with water-resistance rowing machines. The paddles in the water spin when you pull the handlebar, offering consistent exercise intensity per your pull. The water rowing machine can be noisy but not more than air rowers. Due to zero friction, they face very rare wear and tear situations. This longevity gives it a high price than other rowers.
2. Magnetic Resistance: These home rowing machines use a spinning flywheel attached to a magnetic brake system. You can adjust different levels of resistance by adjusting the magnetic power. No friction is generated; thus, it works smoothly and quietly. Rowers with a magnetic resistance system are compact and fit into small spaces. And though you can set different resistance levels, their resistance power is less than air and water resistance machines.
3. Air Resistance: Air resistance rowers bear a spinning fan that builds wind while spinning. This wind is responsible for the resistance. The harder you pull the bars, the more resistance they generate. You can not set resistance levels with air resistance home rowers as they lack knobs. Comparably, they are harder to row and are suitable for high-intensity and cross-fit workouts. These rowing machines are the most expensive and noisy among all forms of resistance rowers.
4. Hydraulic piston resistance: Rowers in this category have one or two pistons on each handlebar. Their resistance is created by the fluid filled in the piston. You can set different levels by adjusting the knob on the piston. They are difficult to use and the cheapest of all. They are also unsuitable for long workouts as the piston tends to heat up over time. If you want rehabilitation of your arm, then this machine will prove to be the ideal one.

Monitor or Console

The console is the display screen facing toward you. It benefits regular users who want to track their workout progress daily. Some home rowing machines show a few parameters, while some can show more, depending upon the cost and design of your rower machine. The parameters include heart rate, speed, distance covered, strokes, calories burned, etc.

The console is useful for people who need to monitor certain health conditions. Some rowers have more advanced features like a Wi-Fi connection, pre-programmed workouts, and Bluetooth functions. A few expensive rowing machines offer a multi-angle LCD for your ease. Choose according to your need and pocket capacity.

Size Capacity

The size of the rower depends upon the size of your home gym or the relevant area where you’ll place this machine. Always compare your space and the dimensions of the rower before purchasing. You can opt for foldable machines to save space after use. Another factor to consider is your height. A tall person might feel it stressful to do the workout on shorter frames or rails.

Price

The price of a home rowing machine may vary from as low as $250 to as high as $2,000. There are several options in between, depending on the brand, model, usage, and features. Low-cost rowers lack important features but are good for occasional users. The high-end ones suit athletes and fitness enthusiasts with specific health needs and precise goals. The more robust and feature-rich rowers are, the more costly they are.

Warranty

You should always pick a machine with a warranty to cover the cost of repair or damage if it breaks within the stated duration. All warranties are not the same. Some cover frame only, some cover the resistance mechanism, and some only cover the labour to repair. A good warranty gives good confidence about the durability of your device. Make sure to read it fully before buying.

Time To Go Rowing!

Home rowing machines provide a great cardio workout and target large muscle groups like the arms, legs, abs, and back offering big yields to your fitness goals and overall health. They are full-body workout exercising devices that strengthen up to 85% of all muscles in your body. Hopefully, this guide helped you choose one that meets your needs and gets you that cardio and strength training you need.

If you're building a new home gym, consider our guides on the best treadmills and exercise bikes available in Australia. They provide the best options available and include detailed buying guides for choosing the best product.