Magnetic Rowing Machines Vs. Water-Based Vs. Air-Based

What is a rowing machine?

A rowing machine simulates rowing in a boat, except you are at your gym or at home. The beauty of the rowing exercise is you are working not only your deltoids and lats in your upper body but also your core and your glutes and quads! But before you get out on the “water”, you will have to choose the type of rowing machine to purchase. And if you didn’t know there were multiple types, welcome to your guide of rowers!

Air Rowing Machine

An air-driven or fan-based rower is the most common type of rowing machine on the market and typically the one you see in your gym. The harder you pull on the ropes, the faster the fans inside the machine will spin, adding air into the flywheel and providing you with resistance. An air rower is great value for money and has many resistance options. It’s also popular because it simulates real rowing well. It is the absolute loudest rower you can get that might make your family dislike you.

Magnetic Rowing Machine

A magnetic rower uses strong magnets to provide resistance instead of air in a flywheel. These machines are really common too but not as widespread as the air rower. The best feature of a magnetic rower is that it’s almost silent! They are also lightweight, sometimes foldable, and take up less space than other rowers. The drawback is they don’t simulate real rowing action well. 

Water Rowing Machine

A water rower is new and favoured by some because of its cool look. In a water rower, resistance is created by paddles in a transparent water drum. The harder you row, the faster the paddles will spin, and the more resistance you will get. This water mechanism makes the water rower as close to the real deal as you can get, also earning it a hefty price tag. But you get points for gym equipment acting like a piece of interior design!

Which rower you pick depends on your budget, how well you do with extremely loud noises, and how much you care about the real feel of rowing! An all-around great machine is the air rower. If you have family or roommates, they might prefer you to get the magnetic rower. And if money is no issue, you will love the water rower.