


Concept2 is also great at giving advice on maintenance and can supply spare parts, so there’s every chance your rower will last as long as you’re fit to use it. The RowErg is built to handle multiple intense workouts every day for years on end (that’s why so many gyms have them). It’s the best-selling rowing machine in the world and the standard machine for indoor rowing competitions, so it’s a good shout for the best rowing machine full stop. If you’re really into indoor rowing, the chances are you’ll have spent most of your time on a Concept2 RowErg, formerly known as the Model D. However, we haven’t been able to test it yet and won’t include it on this list until we do. Peloton has released its connected rowing machine, the Peloton Row, in the US, and the brand’s exercise bikes and treadmills really are best in class. Hydrow is our top pick of this type of rowing machine, but Echelon and ProForm offer a similar experience for less money. These are especially useful if you need a primer on rowing form and could do with some help planning your workouts (although our rowing workout plan does the same and it’s free).

You can still find a good machine for less, and rowing machines have also caught up with the best exercise bikes and best treadmills by connecting to subscription apps for follow-along video workouts. It’s used by Olympians and is hardy enough to feature in commercial gyms. There’s also one straightforward stand-out pick which isn’t the most expensive rowing machine – the Concept2 RowErg. Owning one of these means you can get a low-impact, full-body workout as well as improving your cardiovascular fitness, any time you want. If you have space for only one cardio machine in your house, it’s difficult to make a case for anything other than the rowing machine.
