Best Home Rowing Machines UK 2024 – Fitness

If you are living in the UK and looking for a high performance and reliable Rowing machine, then make sure to check out our list of best Rowing machines which will cover 5 of our top picks from various brands and multiple suppliers across the UK marketplace. When choosing your Rowing machine, for maximum comfort you will need a deep padded seat and the rowing action should be smooth even when the resistance levels are being changed.

Foldable

Many can be folded also which are a definite requirement for people in smaller type living spaces and foldable options are featured throughout our short list. For easier navigation, our review for the best rowing machines will be set out as follows.

Best Home Rowing Machines Content

Part 1: Types of Rowing Machines
Part 2: Tips when buying a Rowing Machine
Part 3 Best Rowing Machines - 5 Options Outlined
Part 4: Advantages of using a Rowing Machine
Part 5: Conclusion

Part 1: 6 Types of Rowing Machines

Before you begin, please note that guide price levels can only be shown at the time of this Best Rowing Machine review as prices can change slightly from month to month depending on local discount activities so please make sure to view the price checkers outlined below to ensure you have the most accurate up to date price information.

Part 2: Tips when buying a Rowing Machine

• Console Monitor – make sure that the console has the capability to report back on your workout sessions especially when it comes to split times, stroke rate, times, calories and distances
  Tablet Holder – If you wish to get connected to apps, watch videos or listen to music, make sure that your chosen rowing machine provides you with a reliable tablet holder and the console app compatibility.
• Seat Comfort – avoid hard type plastic seats and ensure the saddle seat has a deep padded foam which will reduce the levels of discomfort.
• Transport wheels – Some rowing machine will be too difficult to carry so make sure your chosen unit has transport wheels on the lower feet for easier mobility around your home
• Smooth rowing – the rowing motion needs to be smooth at all times even when resistance levels change be it the pull cord, chains or the seat rollers. An example of a chain that gives smoother action for longer is a nickel-plated steel chain.
• Foot Holds – for maximum comfort for your feet, make sure that the foot holds can be adjusted to suit your own posture and size for optimal rowing sessions.
• Folding – Is space a problem? If so, choose only the models that offer a foldable solution that can be separated into 2 pieces or folded up
• Weight – always double check the maximum user weight capacity before you buy. The last thing you want to do is buy a rowing machine with a weight capacity of 100kg when your own weight could be beyond this. (some models here have a weight capacity of up to 150kg)
• Monorail length – before you buy, you should always check that the monorail length is a minimum of 1.2m to prevent your seat hitting the end of the rowing machine. This would be suited for people up to 6 feet 4 inches
• Warranty – always ensure you get a minimum of 12 months warranty with your chosen rowing machine when buying, many on this list offer a lot longer than just 12 months.

Part 3: Best Rowing Machines - 5 Chosen Options

1, JTX Ignite Air Indoor Rower

Key Features in Summary:

Air Resistance rowing machine
Self-powered – no plugs needed
Holder for Smart Phones
Commercial standard
Advanced Console
8 workout modes
500M Split Time
Size 2.4m x 6.2m x 1.07m
1 to 3 years warranty

Key Features in Detail:

• First on our list and certainly one of our all-time favourites is the JTX Ignite Air Indoor Rower which already comes with lots of positive customer reviews which certainly adds a lot of confidence for anyone considering buying this particular rowing machine.
• It includes the air resistance technology which allows the smoothest of rowing actions, it is made from solid construction and fine engineering and this machine can replicate the type of rowing session that you can get in your local gym.
• It has the 9-point damper, an advanced computer console, a smart phone holder and it is self-powered by your movements so there is no need for any sockets or plugs or batteries. The 9-point damper allows you to adjust the level of airflow to the flywheel creating an advanced and resistant responsive type workout.
• In terms of dimensions, the size is 107cm high by 62cm wide by 240cm long, there are the 7-point adjustable footholds to help your own personal posture and the screen can be adjusted to suit your size. In addition, the saddle seat here is very comfortable and you can choose from 8 different workout modes
• The overall weight for this unit is 38kg, it allows a max user weight capacity of 135kg and the JTX Motion-Rail system is made from reinforced aluminium.
• Even though the price is quite high, it can be still made affordable by choosing to pay monthly with the 0% finance which can be paid over 6 months or 12 months with JTX Fitness directly. The warranty available for home use is 3 years and if you decide to use it commercially, then the warranty is reduced to 1 year which is backed also with a no quibble 28 day money back guarantee.

Price Guide:

• When last seen at the time of this review, the price range for the JTX Ignite Air Indoor Rower at JTX Fitness UK was in the £600 to £750 price range which of course can be double checked below

Further images of the JTX Ignite Air Indoor Rower are outlined below (4)

View also: Body Sculpture Rowing Machine Reviews - Read More Here

2, Concept2 Model D Indoor Rowing Machine (PM5 Black)

Key Features in Summary:

Air Rowing Machine Type
Air resistance system
Flywheel weight is 4.3kg
Minimal assembly needed
Fixed or variable programmes
Foot-straps are adjustable
PM5 monitor / Castor wheels
Adjustable monitor arm
Warranty is 2 years parts/labour

Key Features in Detail:

• Second on our best rowing machine list and another one of our top favourites is the Concept2 Model D Indoor Rowing Machine which also has tons of positive reviews from across the marketplace and is backed with a brand highly recognised in this sector that you can trust.
• This rowing machine is designed as an Air resistant rowing machine where it creates the best and smoothest rowing actions that you can hope to achieve and it can certainly match the quality that one would expect to see in their local gymnasium.
• The assembled dimensions to take note are 106.5cm high by 61cm wide by 244cm long and when it is folded the size becomes 137cm high by 63.5cm wide by 84cm long and it is more or less ready to go straight from the box as minimal assembly work is needed.
• This rowing machine can be separated in 2 or folded when not in use, the footstraps are adjustable and the flywheel weighs 4.3kg. There is a great PM5 monitor which reports all the information you need to track your sessions and the programmes available can be either fixed or variable.
• This machine’s seat size is quite large at 35.5cm, the chain is a nickel-plated chain and the maximum user weight capacity allowed is 21 stone and 4Ibs or 135kg.
• The warranty available here lasts for 2 years and you can also get an additional 4 years added to this if you like if you choose to add the breakdown care service from Argos which normally costs around £100 extra (optional). Again, as the price is so high, it can be made a lot more affordable by choosing to spread the cost of a 12-month period if you like using the Argos credit card plan which can help with monthly cashflow levels.

Price Guide:

• When last seen at the time of this review, the price range for the Concept2 Model D Indoor Rowing Machine at Argos UK was in the £800 to £900 price range which again can be double checked below if you wish to take a closer look.

Further images of the Concept2 Model D Indoor Rowing Machine are outlined below (4)

View also: Concept2 Rowing Machine Reviews - Read More Here

3, Men's Health Dual Resistance Air and Magnetic Rowing Machine

Key Features in Summary:

Dual Air and Magnetic
Resistance Rowing Machine
Credit plans available
Separates into Two
Tension control variable
Transport wheels/Pivot foot plates
9 Programmes available
Simple assembly process
Warranty is 12 months

Key Features in Detail:

• At number 3 on our best rowing machine list is the Men's Health Dual Resistance Air and Magnetic Rowing Machine which wouldn’t be as widely known as some of the brands mentioned above but certainly warrants a closer look especially if you need to spend less than £500 for your fitness equipment.
• This rowing machine from Men’s Health has both the air resistance and the magnetic resistance combined to make it that more affordable and it operates very efficiently and smoother than we can expected.
• It can be folded or separated into 2 pieces when not in use which is ideal for people in smaller living spaces.
• Please note that it is not as high spec as the previous 2 models but it certainly performs very well for the amount of money you have to pay and provides an enjoyable workout experience without all the expensive bells and whistles.
• It does require some assembly work at home which is not all that bad as the directions are excellent, it has the transport wheels for easier mobility and it includes the pivot foot plates with the adjustable straps. It comes with the metal chain for durability and the tensions allow a variable level control.
• In addition, it also includes a smart phone holder to keep you motivated as you train and the size to take note of here is 38cm high by 62cm wide by 239cm long. The max weight user capacity is also 21 stone and 4Ibs or 135kg and please note that a set of batteries are needed which will need to be bought separately.
• Again, if you do not wish to spend all your money at once, the cost can be spread over a 12-month period instead using an Argos credit card plan which makes it more affordable each month and a 3-year breakdown cover can be added when buying which is optional and tends to cost less than £90. The standard warranty that applies here is 12 months and the 3 years breakdown care can be added giving you a total of 4 years in total for further peace of mind.

Price Guide:

• The price range when seen at this review time for the Men’s Heath Dual Resistance Rowing Machine at Argos UK was in the £450 to £550 price range which again can be double checked below.

Further images of the Men's Health Dual Resistance Air and Magnetic Rowing Machine are outlined below (4)

View also: Opti Rowing Machine Reviews -Read More Here

4, Reebok GR Electronic Rowing Machine

Key Features in Summary:

Electronic resistance machine
Monorail length of 123cm
Flywheel weight of 6.5kg
Max user weight is 120kg
Interactive console tracking
Programmes x 18 available
Foldable for easier storage
12 pre-set programmes
Minimal simple assembly
Warranty is 2 years long

Key Features in Detail:

• At number 4, we have the Reebok GR Electronic Rowing Machine which again is a lot lower priced than the first 2 options outlined above and is an ideal option if your budget is around the £400 mark. The one thing we liked here also is the amount of positive feedback from previous users in the industry and home owners who praise this rowing machine very highly in terms of quality, reliability and smoothness.
• This rowing machine operates off an Electronic resistance system with the variable tension level control and provides you with 18 different user programmes and also 16 different resistance levels to choose from. The length of this monorail is 123cm long, the flywheel weight is 6.5kg and it allows a maximum user weight capacity of 18 stone and 3Ibs or 120kg (unit weight is 36kg approx.)
• It includes various additional features such as the pulse sensor with receiver, an advanced console, a wireless heart rate control monitor, race modes and 12 pre-set programmes. Some of the programmes you get here are the manual, target, pre-set, racing and user defined.
• In addition, there are the adjustable foot-straps which work well, it can be folded when not in use and transport wheels are included as standard. In terms of dimensions, the assembled size is 82cm high by 48cm wide by 198cm long and when folded it becomes 148cm high by 48cm wide by 86cm long.
• If your preference is not to spend all your money up front, you can decide to go down the Argos credit plan route which will spread the cost of this over several months up to a max of 12 months and you can add a further 4 years breakdown care if you want to the standard 2 years giving a total of 6 years protection. This added breakdown care will normally set you back anywhere between £100 and £120 extra. A small level of assembly is needed but nothing to get worried about.

Price Guide:

• The price guide range when seen at this review time for the Reebok GR Electronic Rowing Machine at Argos UK was in the £370 to £430 price range which of course can be viewed more closely below.

Further images of the Reebok GR Electronic Rowing Machine are outlined below (4)

View also: Reebok Rowing Machine Reviews -Read More Here

5, Sportstech Magnetic Rowing Machine RSX400

Key Features in Summary:

Magnetic resistance rowing
Smart Phone App compatible
Foldable when not in use
Multi-function displays
8 resistance levels
Transport wheels/15-degree inclines
Ball bearing seat / stable
Sturdy Aluminium Rail

Key Features in Detail:

• For those of you who need to spend a little less or even less than £350, you should take a closer look at the Sportstech Magnetic Rowing Machine available at Amazon which we found to work really well and it comes with the Smartphone fitness app compatibility on the console such as Kinomap and FitnessData which are not always available on other rowing machines
• It gives you 8 levels of electric resistance, you can track all your sessions with the fitness apps, it is pulse rate compatible and the multi-function LCD display gives all the key information would one expect to see and overall provides a pleasant and natural rowing experience for a fraction of the price of higher spec rowing machines.
• It can be folded when not in use, there are the transport wheels and it operates with a 15 degree incline and the 8 levels of resistance are controlled manually. It’s a smaller machine overall so it really only geared for people up to a maximum weight of 100kg.
• The weight of the unit is only 24kg which makes moving it around that much easier and the size dimensions to note are 116cm high by 46cm wide. The monorail is made from aluminium and it has the ball-bearing mounted seat slides as standard.
• While is it not the best rowing machine out there, it certainly is great value for money especially if you need to spend less than £350 and all the sessions can be tracked using the compatible fitness apps in conjunction with your Tablet or smart phone. As this machine is pulse belt compatible, you can always train and workout in your own optimal heart rate levels.

Price Guide:

• How much does it cost? The prices when last seen at the time of this review at Amazon UK was in the £300 to £350 region which again can be viewed more closely below…

Further images of the Sportstech Magnetic Rowing Machine are outlined below (4)

View again also: Concept2 Rowing Machine Reviews - Read More Here

Part 4: Main Advantages of using a Rowing Machine:

1. Low Impact – unlike treadmills and road running, there is no impact on your lower joints especially your knees and ankles so you can enjoy your workout completely risk free
2. Rehabilitation – if you have suffered from any injury, the rowing machine is an ideal solution to provide you with the workout you need without agitating your existing injury.
3. Full Body workout – it can work on muscles in your legs along with your back, shoulders and arms and build strength and endurance on your thighs, biceps and triceps. You get the benefit of working on multiple muscles are the same time which gives a fantastic cardio workout including strengthening your hamstrings.
4. Blood Circulation – Improves your blood circulation, mood and overall sense of wellbeing after your sessions are completed
5. Space - as many models can be folded, they take up a lot less space than other types of fitness equipment in your home and they certainly weigh a lot less than your average treadmill
6. Endurance – if you need to build up your endurance levels, the rowing machine can provide a super-efficient workout that will build up your endurance levels across your various muscle groups and HIIT sessions will help to develop your level of anaerobic endurance.
7. Calories – rowing for 1 hour could burn as many as 600 to 1000 calories. Do this a few times per week and the results become very noticeable very quickly.

Part 5: Conclusion

Which one would we buy? To be honest it would be 50/50 between the JTX Ignite Air Indoor Rower and the Concept2 Model D Indoor Rowing Machine as both of these rowing machines offer so much more in terms of rowing smoothness, comfort, work-out flexibility and gym quality precision. Some of the prices outlined above certainly may not be affordable for everyone but we hope that you found our list helpful in some way especially if the premium higher priced models are not affordable for you.

Have you tried any of these Rowing Machines yourself in the recent past? Did it live up to your expectations or did you experience any minor problems with them?

If possible, please share your own experiences or feedback (good or bad) by leaving a comment in the comment box section provided below – so that others across the wider UK community can learn also!