Which rowing machine is right
for me? The comparison
You don’t know much about rowing training and which is the best rowing machine for you personally? Here we have compiled all the important points for you so that you have a complete overview. We then compare six different rowing machines in terms of: braking system, geometry, price-performance ratio, design and what the rowing feeling is like.
Water-braked system
First, let’s take a look at the WaterRower as an example. This consists of a water tank in which there is a flywheel, which is connected to a handle via a chain or rope. If you want to row on the machine, you pull the handle to turn the flywheel, which then moves the water through the tank and creates resistance. The faster you pull the handle, the higher the resistance will be, which affects rowing. The WaterRower is designed to offer a smooth, natural rowing experience, similar to rowing on the water. In addition, the device generates a soothing sound, similar to paddling on the water. The resistance can only be changed here via the water level. Furthermore, the display presentation should be noted. The core points that are normally displayed are stroke rate, the split over 500 meters and the total time or the meters you row. This is the rudimentary display and is offered to you by most rowing machines. Water-braked rowing machines have a direct water feeling because you have to drive the water tank again and again. However, the water is not completely gripped by the paddle at the front. So you always step into the void a little. This is reflected in all water-braked rowing machines, as they all have the same design. Watrerowers are sometimes very long. So you can usually move them back and forth, but you still need a lot of space. Most Waterrowers are made of wood and have the water tank at the front. In terms of price, the Waterrower ranges from €900 to €2600. The higher quality and better the design, the higher the price is logically.
Magnetically braked system
A magnetically braked rowing machine, such as the Matrix rowing machine, uses a magnetic braking system to generate resistance when rowing. A magnet is positioned near a metal disc that is driven by rowing. By changing the magnetic field strength, the distance between the magnet and the disc is varied, which regulates the resistance. The magnetic braking system offers several advantages, such as quiet operation and precise resistance control. In addition, it does not require maintenance or refilling of water, as is the case with water-braked rowing machines. However, the rowing feeling with magnetically braked rowing machines may be perceived as less realistic compared to water-braked rowing machines. Here we also have a more rudimentary screen that is small. This only offers you the stroke rate per minute, the wattage, the time and the total meters. The entire rowing movement does not feel very realistic, as the flywheel always has a hard resistance in the reversing movement. The advantage here is that the rowing machine is very quiet. From a design point of view, the device is more likely to be found in the gym. It is not really a fitness device that you would put in your living room, for example. The device is very large, cannot be folded and is difficult to place anywhere. Here we are in the price range from €500 to €3000. It usually depends on how it is constructed. With a low construction, the device is significantly cheaper than with a robust construction.
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More InformationAir-braked system
Air-braked rowing machines, such as the Concept2 rowing machine, use an air resistance system to generate resistance when rowing. A rotating metal disc inside the housing provides the resistance, while the air flows through the device as you row, increasing the resistance. The harder you row, the higher the resistance. An advantage of air-braked rowing machines is that they offer a more realistic rowing experience than magnetically braked rowing machines. In addition, they are often cheaper compared to water-braked rowing machines and do not require regular maintenance or refilling of water.
Electrically controlled magnetic brake
A rowing machine with an electronic, controlled magnetic brake uses a magnetic resistance system to generate resistance. In contrast to a rowing machine with air or water resistance, in which the resistance is generated by the resistance of the air or water, the magnetic resistance system generates resistance by attracting magnets to a rotating flywheel. The resistance can be controlled with an electronic control, which is usually integrated in the console of the rowing machine. With this control, the user can increase or decrease the resistance during training, depending on how intense the training should be.
These devices have the advantage that they are just as quiet as the magnetic brake, but the electronic control gives them a very natural rowing feeling. As an example, we take a look at the AUGLETICS here. The large display offers a variety of functions here. So here, too, we see our rowing parameters, as with the devices mentioned above, but we can also row together online with others and move through, for example, Paris or Monaco. There are weekly, changing, free routes. Furthermore, we have access to a trainer function that tells us which variants of the rowing stroke are good or expandable. Here the device comes very close to the rowing feeling. The device can be folded up and stowed away very well and is therefore perfect for home use. The only disadvantage is that the device is more expensive. But the AUGLETICS is full of functions that motivate you to actually use the device. These are all included in the price and there are no additional monthly costs compared to the competition. These functions not only require software, but also solid hardware, which is easy to use but complicated in engineering. Nevertheless, no compromises were made in terms of quality. You have to expect costs of between €2600 and €3000. If you are not sure whether this could be an option for you, feel free to take a look at what customers think of AUGLETICS.
Hydraulic braking system
The hydraulic rowing machine is not a very common braking system. It consists of two handles that are attached to rods that are connected to a hydraulic system. When rowing, you move the handles backwards, pulling the rods with you. This creates hydraulic pressure in the cylinders of the device, which works against a resistance. The harder you pull, the higher the hydraulic pressure and the harder the rowing becomes. It also offers only a few adjustment options and has a small range of motion. The screen (if available) is usually very small and offers few functions. The device is compact, small and space-saving, but the rowing movement has very little to do with natural rowing. These devices are usually very cheap, which is why you shouldn’t really expect much.
Dynamic braking system
The dynamic rowing machine is more for professionals. Here we took a closer look at the RP3 MODEL S as an example. The RP3 Model S uses a patented spring and roller system to generate the resistance that gives the rower the feeling of rowing on the water. The device differs from all the devices mentioned so far. Here, the rolling seat is also movable, but you should only sit in one place if possible. The front part, i.e. the part to which the display is attached, is movable in contrast to all other devices. You pull this front part towards you. The flywheel and the spring and roller system are arranged in such a way that they generate the resistance that is similar to the resistance when rowing on the water. The spring and roller system consists of a spring that is attached to the base of the device on one side and a roller that is attached to the other side of the device. When you pull the handle back, the spring pulls the roller forward, creating the resistance. The harder you pull, the more resistance is generated. The flywheel ensures a smooth movement and stores the energy that is generated when rowing. This makes the RP3 Model S particularly efficient and enables smooth, natural rowing. The digital console records data such as stroke rate, power, speed, distance and calorie consumption during training, enabling a personalized and optimized training experience. The rowing feeling comes very close to rowing on the water. The design is more likely to be found in a weight room or gym than in your own four walls. A Bluetooth interface is available here. Nevertheless, the device is more specialized for people who can really row or are involved in competitive sports. A major disadvantage is the loud noise, which is not very advantageous for home use. Due to the area of application of the dynamic rowing machine and the overall length, it should not necessarily be stowed away in a space-saving manner. It should stand in one place and be used there in the long term. Depending on the model, this type of rowing machine is in the price range from €500 to €3000.
Ultimately, you have to be clear about what is personally important to you and what you expect from your rowing machine. Basically, you can row on any device. The question here is more what the long-term motivation looks like. Especially if you are offered many functions, such as trainers, map rowing and you can watch your favorite series at the same time, the long-term motivation is much higher. It is important that you test the devices extensively beforehand or get customer opinions to find out what suits you . Of course, a cheap rowing machine is much more attractive, but take a close look at it and check whether your device also represents your desired functions and requirements. The same applies here: quality has its price. Find out which device convinces you the most. After all, it should be a good investment and you certainly want to use it in the long term and with motivation, right? Only then see whether the price-performance ratio is right for you or whether you have to look for a cheaper alternative.
Not enough yet? Find out more about rowing. We have written several helpful articles for you so that you have a complete overview. You can find these here.