Rowing works over 85% of your muscles in a single stroke — legs, core, back, and arms — with zero impact on joints. It's the most complete cardio machine available. If you can only have one cardio machine in your home gym, make it a rower.
Types of Resistance
Air Resistance: The harder you pull, the more resistance you get. This natural feedback loop makes air rowers feel alive and athletic. The Concept2 RowErg is the benchmark. Louder than other types.
Magnetic Resistance: Silent and smooth. Fixed resistance levels adjusted by a dial. Great for apartment living. Doesn't match the feel of air rowing but quieter and often cheaper.
Water Resistance: Paddles move through actual water. Produces a smooth, satisfying pull that mimics on-water rowing. The WaterRower is the iconic example.
Magnetic/Air Hybrid: Some machines combine both. The Hydrow uses magnetic resistance with a connected screen — the quietest way to get an air-like feel.
Top Picks
Gold Standard: Concept2 RowErg
At $990, the Concept2 is used in Olympic training centers, CrossFit boxes, and sports science labs worldwide. The PM5 monitor tracks every metric that matters. It splits into two pieces for storage. There's a reason virtually every commercial gym and rowing club in the world uses these.
Best Budget: Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5515
$249 gets you a quiet magnetic rower with 8 resistance levels and a fold-flat design. It won't give you the "feel" of a Concept2 but it will give you a solid cardio workout in total silence.
What to Consider
Row strokes per minute, stroke rate, and drag factor are all trackable on quality monitors. If you plan to follow structured rowing programs or compete in online challenges (Concept2 has a global rankings board), invest in the PM5 monitor — which comes standard on all Concept2 machines.
Bottom Line
Serious athletes and anyone who wants to follow rowing programs: Concept2, no question. Casual home cardio users who need quiet and compact: Sunny Health magnetic rower.