If you are able to get out on the water and participate in the actual sport, the next best thing to this incredibly physically intensive sport is a rowing machine. If you are a beginner trying to navigate your way around such an item, what are the best rowing machines out there?

The best rowing machines for beginners include the Fitness Reality 1000 Plus Bluetooth Magnetic Rower Rowing Machine, NordicTrack RW900 Rowing Machine, Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Rowing Machine, Concept 2 Model D Indoor Rower, and the NordicTrack RW200 Rower, among a few others.

Rowing was first only done as a watersport, but as technology developed as well as the understanding of exercise, the rowing machine made its way onto the exercise scene. Rowing machines offer users an intense workout that not only works their arms, back, and shoulders, but pushes their cardio as well. If you are a beginner with rowing machines, take a look below to find the best rowing machines for someone just starting out.

How are Rowing Machines Beneficial?

Rowing machines were created to give those who had no access to the actual sport an opportunity to not only participate in the activity, but benefit from how this activity can improve their physic and overall health. Before delving into what types of rowing machines are best for those that are just starting out, let’s first take a look at why this machine is so popular and how it can benefit those using it.

Rowing Machines Work Out Multiple Muscles

Many new users of rowing machines are under the impression that this workout only works the arms, however, there are a slew of different muscles that benefit from its movements. Using over 85% of your muscles, rowing machines are able to target the upper back, pectoral muscles, arms, abdominal muscles, obliques, and even calves and glutes. This makes the rowing machine a perfect choice for those wanting to target multiple muscle groups.

Rowing Machines Are Great for Beginning and Experienced Users

One of the great things about using a rowing machine is its accessibility. Whether you are new to this workout style or are an old pro, there is a level which can be started at that will push you exactly as you need. If you are a beginner, you can start out slowing and work your way up to a more challenging routine. Just the same, if you are experienced with this machine, you can push your body as far as you can stand.

Rowing Machines Are a Great Option for Cardio

If you find yourself stuck in a rut of using a treadmill or elliptical, you may be looking for an alternative that can still increase your heart rate without going through the monotony that these other machines provide. If this is the case for you, using a rowing machine may be a great option as it is incredibly effective when it comes to keeping your heart rate increased while also working other muscle groups.

Rowing Machines Are Low-Impact

Speaking of treadmills and ellipticals, for many users, one of the biggest complaints is that they experience soreness in their joints after being on them for a long period of time. Due to this, their workouts can end early and they are not able to push themselves in the same way that they could if their joints were not affected. If this is a problem for you, rowing machines are a great alternative, as they are low-impact and will leave your joints feeling unphased.

Rowing Machines Strengthen Your Heart and Lungs

Knowing that rowing machines are good alternatives to ellipticals and treadmills, you may be wondering if they are just as beneficial to your heart and lungs? Due to the nature of rowing machines, once you push your body to a point where your heart rate is increased and your breathing is increased, it means that your heart is working in such a way that increases the blood flow to the body, improving the strength of your heart and lungs.

What Are the Best Rowing Machines for Beginners?

Now that you know how and why rowing machines are so beneficial to users, you may be completely convinced to either take a turn on the one at your local gym, or bring one home to your own personal setup. Rowing machines are a great way to condition the body, therefore, it is important to find one that is not only going to keep you healthy, but do the best job with this task. Take a look below to find the best rowing machines for beginners.

Fitness Reality 1000 Plus Bluetooth Magnetic Rower Rowing Machine

This machine may be a bit of a mouthful to say, but when it comes to its results, customers are more than happy to say it twice. The Fitness Reality 1000 Plus is a rowing machine that is incredibly easy to assemble for those new to the rowing machine world, but can also be converted into a cable machine, making it the best of both worlds. With its magnetic tension system, you can start out slow, and intensify your workouts as your strength builds.

NordicTrack RW900 Rowing Machine

If you are looking for a rowing machine that goes above a basic design, the NordicTrack is the one to bring home. This rowing machine has a very sleek design which allows it to fit into tight spaces, while also giving you the workout that you need. It also comes with a touchscreen that allows users to personalize their training routine by joining in a free membership for their first year. It is also a very quiet system that easily folds to be stored when needed out of the way.

Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Rowing Machine

The greatest appeal to this rowing machine is its simplistic design. Even those in the most confined of spaces can easily add this machine while barely even noticing its presence. With eight levels of magnetic resistance, this bike is one that can be used when even the lightest of sleepers are sleeping in your home and the most disturbed gym rats are in your presence. Its LCD console also displays meters rowed, calories burned, and time spent rowing.

Concept 2 Model D Indoor Rower

One of the greatest appeals of the Concept 2 rowing machine is its affordability, but also its reliability. This rowing machine is one that has been tested among even the busiest of gyms and has always left users with nearly only good things to say. The experience on this rowing machine is one that is incredibly smooth, but one that is also just as effective. It can also record your workout data and will easily store when you need a bit more space.

NordicTrack RW200 Rower

NordicTrack appears twice on this list because it is a reliable brand that will get you the results you work for. The NordicTrack RW200 is a rowing machine that offers a crazy amount of levels of resistance – 24 to be exact. Although it does not offer you the same personalization as the NordicTrack RW900, it is designed in a way that allows users to start from the very beginning and work themselves up to a level that pushes them beyond imagination.

Velocity Exercise Magnetic Rower

For those of you needing to save as much space as possible, or for those looking for a rowing machine that is more inconspicuous than most, the Velocity Exercise Magnetic Rower is the one for you. Its magnetic resistance system offers 10 levels of resistance, while neatly folding away into any corner or closet without the worry of having a large bulky system that is always in sight. It is also known to be a quiet system that ages very well, even with the most excessive use.

Merax Water Rowing Machine

For those of you that need a machine with a bit more endurance, the Merx is the one for you. This rowing machine is made from steel, but uses water, rather than weights, to give you the greatest amount of resistance. You may be thinking that a machine that uses water would be way too difficult to transport to a less conspicuous area in our home, but with a quick stand-up, this machine can be easily tucked out of the way for more space.

Hydro Connected Rower

The Hydro Connected rower is a rowing machine that users certainly pay for what they get. This piece of equipment comes with a touchscreen display that allows users to access over 400 pre-recorded studio workouts that can all be accessed with a monthly membership fee. This allows users the ability to get out of their everyday routine and find something a bit different, but also more challenging, than what they are typically used to.

Mr. Right Water Rowing Machine

If you are someone who is equally as serious about your physical health as you are the aesthetic of your home, look no further than the Mr. Right Water Rowing Machine. Due to being a rowing machine that implements resistance through the power of water, this machine can not only get you into shape, but will look great doing it. This machine is made of solid oak which gives it a more furniture look than a workout machine.