Buying guide for rowing machines

Buying guide for rowing machines

Treadmills and exercise bikes provide excellent cardio training, but what makes the rowing machine superior is that it also exercises the back muscles. In addition to an excellent cardiovascular and back training, you will also have trained stomach, legs, biceps and forearms - which means that the rowing machine should have a given place on the home gym. In fact, a rowing machine is probably the wisest option when it comes to effective exercise machines, because you can prevent back problems that often come from an untrained back.

Another advantage of buying a rowing machine is that they are considerably cheaper in purchasing than treadmills and spinning bikes. This makes the rowing machine a more economical alternative, where you can then a varied training without having to cost the shirt. Nevertheless, it is of course important to invest in a qualitative model that lasts many years. Depending on the price range, the rowing machine comes with different types of functions, which in turn affect the training result and the training comfort. Below we go through step by step everything you need to consider before your purchase. Down the page you will find our rowing machine best in test, where we present the market's ten best and most affordable models.

Resistance
First and foremost, you should choose the type of resistance the rowing machine should have, as this in turn will affect the durability and training comfort.

The advantage of air resistance is that you do not have to adjust the resistance manually, where the resistance instead increases the harder you take in. Rowing machines with air resistance come either with chain or rope, where both are considered to be equally good but come with different properties. The advantage of the chain is that it can withstand more, but needs to be oiled at regular intervals. Ropes are not quite as durable, but on the other hand, let them be smaller. The disadvantage of both is that they have a generally higher noise level than other resistance types. In addition, they can rarely be folded together, which is important to consider if you require a machine that can be stowed away when not in use.

There are also rowing machines with water resistance, which are mainly appreciated for their truly comfortable feeling. The rowing machine works in much the same way as air resistance machines, where the resistance increases the harder you take in. The machines are generally silent, which only produces a pleasant water noise. The disadvantage is that they are heavy to move on and cost more than other rowing machine types.
Magnetic resistance is reasonably unusual, but is preferable if you are looking for an extremely silent rowing machine. Here you set the resistance level manually, which is not adjusted according to how much you take in.

The main advantage of hydraulic resistance is that the models tend to be small in size, affordable and collapsible. However, they really mimic the rowing least of all exercise machines, which reduces both the quality and the training level.

features
A rowing machine is a relatively simple and cheap training tool, but at the same time extremely functional. It usually seldom enters a lot of functions, but depending on how you intend to train, some functions can make the exercise more effective.

For increased motivation and to be able to measure your progress over the long term, we recommend that you choose a rowing machine with a training computer. The training computer may look different in terms of price range, but all computers display information such as calorie consumption, speed, time and distance.

More advanced training computers are equipped with preset training programs, which are an excellent function to counteract a boring and monotonous training form. This ensures that you get as much as possible out of your training, which will help you with both the training plan and motivation. Useful training programs include fat burning, strength and heart rate training.

If you are looking for a more intensive training, we recommend that you invest in a rowing machine with pulse function. Focus on heart rate makes the training more targeted and is an excellent function for those who want to improve your fitness or lose weight. Some models come with an integrated pulse control in the handles, which are measured and recorded via sensors. Others support pulse function wirelessly via a pulse belt attached around the chest or wrist.