How To Buy The Best Indoor Rowing Machine: A Complete Guide

Did you know that more than 10 million people in the United Kingdom alone have gym memberships? While going to the gym can work well for some, many people are finding it to be an option they are considering less and less. The solution to this, of course, is to buy your own at-home exercise equipment such as an indoor rowing machine.

Having exercise machine like an indoor rowing machine can help you to save time, get your exercise endorphins anytime you want and stay motivated to achieve your fitness goals. You also won't have to give up your rowing machine to someone waiting for their turn! 

But there is one key question to answer first: how can you make sure that the rowing machine you buy is the best choice for you? After all, there is a huge variety of fitness equipment out there.

Firstly, let's take a look at why you should buy a rowing machine in the first place.

Why indoor rowing machines?

Rowing machines have not always been as popular as exercise equipment like bikes, treadmills or ellipticals, but they can be an invaluable addition to your routine. 

Many people feel intimidated by all the different types of exercise machine at the gym and for that reason, you may find it difficult to choose the right equipment for you, especially if you are just getting started on your fitness journey. However, the great thing about an indoor rowing machine like Hydrow is that it is ideal for almost everyone, regardless of your age or current level of fitness.

So, whether you're a trained athlete or someone who hasn't lifted a weight in years, you'll get a lot out of the full-body, low impact, immersive workout that is the Hydrow experience. Rowers target different - and often additional - muscles compared to other pieces of exercise equipment, plus they tend not to be as bulky as other fitness machines. For example, a treadmill will take up a lot of space in your home, and once placed,, it will likely be too heavy to move again without help.

On the other hand, rowing machines tend to be lighter weight and more manageable. Furthermore, the Hydrow rower is sleek and designed with the home in mind, so it doesn’t need to be hidden away. It’s also virtually silent due to the electromagnetic technology; ie no fan, so it won’t disturb your family or neighbours mid-workout. 

How to choose the best rowing machine for home use

When it comes to choosing the best rowing machine for you, you will also need to consider what you want from your fitness routine. For example, does your lifestyle mean you have time to exercise for up to 15-20 minutes a few times a week? Or do you want to become as fit as possible and plan on using your machine every day? You might also want to think about who else will use the machine. For example, do you have family members or friends who might like to share your membership?

If multiple people will be using your rowing machine, you will of course want to ensure durability, as well as a membership that allows unlimited profiles to avoid unnecessary additional costs. Ultimately, the key to choosing the best indoor rowing machine for you is to ensure it can completely work with your lifestyle. 

What are the benefits of using a rowing machine?

Some exercise machines only target one part of the body. For example, people use treadmills to strengthen their legs and enhance their endurance. 

Rowing is unique in that it works 86% of major muscle groups without you having to switch from machine to machine to make sure you've completed a full-body workout.

With time, you will start to notice a change throughout your body. Many people think that rowing machines only target the arms, but this is not true at all. Coaches and Hydrow Athletes alike will vouch that you will also build muscle in other areas with indoor rowing. For example, you won't have any trouble building your glute muscles or calves when using a rowing machine. After a few minutes on the Hydrow rower, you will find that even your abs will start to feel the burn. 

More rowing machine benefits to consider

The benefits of working out with an indoor rower like Hydrow don't stop there. As mentioned previously, a rowing machine provides an ideal workout for people of varying fitness levels and abilities, plus Hydrow offers over +3,500 live and on-demand workouts with more released all the time. 

With equipment like free weights, you will always need to buy bigger and bigger weights as you get stronger. But with a rowing machine, you already have everything you need from the start of your fitness journey. 

There are also the many benefits of indoor exercise in the privacy of your own home, including the ease and convenience. Many people don't like going to gym workouts for a variety of reasons. For example, you might not like using a sweaty machine that someone else has finished using a few moments ago. 

Secondly, some people can feel self-conscious exercising in public, especially if they are new to the world of exercise. You won't need to worry about any of this working out at home, as you will be in a comfortable environment, and you won't feel the need to compete with or compare yourself to strangers. You also won't need to share your rowing machine with anyone you don't want to! You of course have full control of your home environment and set up, ensuring your workout regime can truly fit into your lifestyle, so you can stay motivated and consistent.

How much space do you need for a rowing machine?

When it comes to buying any kind of exercise machine, the amount of space you will need in your home is always an important consideration. You don’t need to have an at-home gym with a sleek, beautifully designed machine like Hydrow, but do need to work out where your rowing machine will live and get the space ready before it arrives.

It is worth measuring your chosen space and then looking up the measurements on the rowing machine you plan to get. With Hydrow, you can also purchase an upright storage kit for storing Hydrow vertically, but safely.

Key rowing machine features and essential specifications

If you've never used a rowing machine before, you might think that they are all more or less the same, but this couldn't be farther from the truth. There are actually many types of rowing machines and, while they may look similar at first, they all have unique features and specifications. 

It is important to consider the different features, so you can reap as many rowing machine rewards as possible. 

Hydrow’s patented drag technology mimics the feeling of rowing on water. Plus, the immersive on-screen experience of Live Outdoor RealityTM and the engaging Hydrow Athletes will help to keep you entertained, motivated - and coming back for more. Thanks to all this, you can get the most realistic, enjoyable experience whilst training 86% of major muscle groups - that’s almost double vs running or cycling! 

Rowing machine vs treadmill

In the past, exercise machines such as treadmills may have been more common, but a rower like Hydrow might be a better at-home choice for a variety of reasons. A key factor for all ages and abilities, but especially for those who are older or recovering from injury is that it’s a completely low impact workout. 

Addiionally, if you have a health condition such as osteoarthritis, you might not be able to run or do other high impact exercise. By comparison, no matter how much you use a rowing machine, you won’t have to worry about affecting your bones or joints.

Rowing machine vs stationary bike

When it comes to the question of an indoor bike vs rowing machine, they are quite similar in some ways. The best way to decide between them is to determine your fitness goals. For example, do you want a full-body workout? It’s important to remember that stationary bikes focus only on the lower half of your body. 

You may also want to consider the ease of use for both of these machines. Some people may think a stationary bike will be easier to get started on because a lot of us have tried a spin class in the past, and/or learned to ride a bike at some point. However, once you get the hang of a rowing machine, you will find that it is as easy to use as a stationary bike, whilst offering almost double the workout.

It’s also worth noting that exercise bikes can be cheaper than rowing machines. However, you will likely want to supplement your workout with additional exercise to ensure your upper body also gets a regular turn.

Everything you need to know when buying an indoor rowing machine

An indoor rowing machine can be a great addition to your home if you want to tone your whole body without having to go to the gym. It is versatile and offers plenty of health benefits. For more information and to get all your questions answered, don't hesitate to contact us here.