Home Rowing Machine: what to consider before making your purchase

Are you considering an indoor home rowing machine so you can work out whenever you want? How does rowing compare to other at-home exercise solutions? There are a few things you’ll want to look for before you make your decision; in this post we’ll give you everything you need to know.

A home workout boom

It’s no secret that home workout solutions have gained momentum, particularly in the last year. Reporting from places like The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg and more point to similar conclusions: Working out at home is here to stay.

Some reasons for this shift are obvious. For many months, millions of people stayed at home and rode out the pandemic in quarantine, flipping fitness culture on its head. But there are other reasons, too:

- When you exercise at home, you trim out the commute and put time back in your day;

- Research has found that working out at home is just as effective as working out at a gym; and 

- Advancements in technology have made interactive elements like live workouts available from the comfort of your own home.

For many people, investing in a home workout machine has financial benefits as well; replacing a gym membership with at-home equipment can often be more cost-effective in the long run.

What to consider before making a purchase

Working out at home is certainly convenient, but also can be challenging when it comes to staying motivated. That’s why you want to look for the following features as you research a home workout solution:

Easy to learn, challenging to master

It’s important to choose a home workout that is easy to learn. If a certain activity requires weeks or months of learning to even get started... will you actually stay interested? Choose an activity that lets you hop on and go.

You also don’t want to choose a workout that is too easy and causes you to plateau. Look for options that will keep you engaged and challenged without feeling too overwhelmed.

Structure and accountability

The unfortunate truth is that many health and fitness goals fail. That’s why you want to pick a home workout solution that incorporates accountability and structure. Look for a product that can give you the scaffolding you need to succeed without having to think too much.

Fun and community

Working at home doesn’t have to mean feeling bored or isolated. From online communities to live classes, at-home fitness has improved dramatically over the last few years. Get involved with a community of other like-minded users and you might find you can’t wait to get to your next workout!

Why consider a home rowing machine?

You also want a workout solution that can keep you injury-free and healthy. And what is one of the best ways to get a full-body workout while also keeping your outlet fresh and structured? Rowing. Here are a few reasons why. 

Rowing is a total-body workout

With each and every stroke, rowing is shown to engage the majority of muscle mass in the body, and more mass than other popular activities like cycling or running. If you’re crunched for time and want to get a great workout that hits upper body and lower body at the same time, rowing is an excellent option.

Rowing is a low-impact activity

Certain activities are high impact, meaning that your joints can take a beating during exercise. This doesn’t mean these workouts are bad, but for the sake of joint health you should give your body adequate rest between workouts. Common workouts that are high impact include running and any bootcamp-inspired classes or circuits that involve explosive movements. 

In contrast, rowing is a low impact workout; you don’t need to worry about taking rest days for the sake of your joints because your movements are fluid and controlled. In rowing, you’re seated with your feet strapped in place for the duration of the workout; rowing is about as steady and secure as it gets!

Rowing is for all levels of fitness

Rowing is suitable for you no matter your current fitness, and the good news is that it will scale up in difficulty as you develop better form, strength, and endurance over time. 

A first-time rower and an elite athlete can both sweat buckets by doing the exact same movements on exactly the same machine; that’s because rowing is a resistance-based sport. The more you power through resistance by engaging your legs, core, back, and arms, the more power you’ll generate.

Hydrow: The ultimate home rowing machine

If you’re sold on the idea of working out at home, and also sold on owning a rowing machine, Hydrow is a great option for you – here are some of the great features that make Hydrow unique.

World-class instruction from our Athletes

Hydrow’s Athletes include Olympians, national champions, and elite competitors ready to lead you through your next workout and have some fun along the way. Row stroke for stroke with the Athlete of your choice as they give you tips on form, stories that keep you smiling, and the motivation you need to finish strong.

Learn more about our Athletes here.

A library of over 2,500 workouts

Each and every week, Hydrow releases new workouts and adds to our robust library of sessions to choose from. Search features allow you to filter workouts by format, length, Athlete, and even the location where the workout was filmed. Find exactly the workout you want every time, bookmark your favorites, and easily track which workouts you’ve completed and which rows to conquer next.

Need a day where you want to do something other than rowing for your workout? We’ve got you covered. Hydrow’s On The Mat series includes a library of off-the-rower workouts like Pilates, yoga, strength training and mobility to keep you in tip-top shape. You really can use Hydrow every day and have a varied workout routine!

Live Rows, challenges, and community

Few things compare to the thrill of rowing alongside an Athlete and your peers in real time. But at Hydrow, that’s exactly what we offer every week! Thanks to Hydrow’s Live Outdoor Reality™ technology, the splendor and thrill of the great outdoors is beamed into your home in real time.

Hydrow also has pre-set training camps and fitness challenges to give you structure and accountability. Sign up for a training camp when you’re ready to level up your fitness and you’ll receive recommended rows for a period of 4-6 weeks to help achieve your goals. 

But wait, there’s more! Once you have Hydrow, hop into the private members’ Facebook group where you’ll be able to ask questions, connect with other users, and cheer each other on. Hydrow also has social features that allow you to post your rows and follow, like, and comment on other users’ recent workout achievements. 

----- A home workout machine can be a big investment. That’s why you want to determine not only what activity is right for you, but also which special features will give you exactly what you need to be successful along the way. Hydrow is your ultimate all-in-one home rowing machine; learn more about everything we have to offer by clicking here.