Best Rowing Machines UK 2026

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If you want one piece of cardio equipment that works practically everything, get a rower. 86% of your muscles firing at once: legs driving, back pulling, arms finishing. And unlike running, your knees will thank you.

So which rowing machine should you actually buy? For most people, the answer is simpler than the internet makes it. Based on user reviews and the UK market, here are the best options at every price point.

## Quick Picks

Prices shown are approximate at time of review. Click "View on Amazon" for current pricing.

## Full Comparison

## The Concept2 RowErg: Why Everyone Recommends It

The Concept2 RowErg is what every gym uses. Every CrossFit box. Every Olympic training centre. Ask on r/homegym and you'll get the same answer every time. *(Price when reviewed: ~£1,000 | View on Amazon)*

The air flywheel scales with your effort. Row harder, resistance goes up. Back off, it eases up. That feels completely different from preset magnetic levels, and it's why serious rowers won't use anything else. The PM5 monitor tracks splits, distance, calories, and connects to most training apps including ErgData and Strava.

People sell these after 15 years and they still work fine. Parts are cheap and easy to replace. Try that with most cardio equipment. The resale value holds well too. Used Concept2s go for £600-700 on Facebook Marketplace, which tells you everything about how long they last.

It folds in half for storage and separates into two pieces for tight spaces. At £1,000 it's not cheap, but if you're comparing to a gym membership at £40/month, it pays for itself inside two years. If budget allows, just get the Concept2. we've never seen anyone regret it.

## Best Budget: Dripex Magnetic Rower

Not everyone has a grand to drop on cardio. The Dripex Magnetic Rowing Machine is where most budget buyers end up, and for good reason. *(Price when reviewed: ~£250 | View on Amazon)*

Magnetic resistance is near-silent. If you're in a flat or rowing at 6am before work, this matters more than you'd think. 15 resistance levels give you enough range to progress, and the whole thing folds up and weighs under 25kg.

Will it feel like a Concept2? No. The stroke is shorter and the resistance feels artificial by comparison. But it gets you rowing, and that's what counts. Plenty of people on r/homegym started on a Dripex and upgraded later when they knew rowing was their thing.

## Best Mid-Budget: JLL R200

The JLL R200 is a solid alternative in the budget space. JLL are a UK-based fitness brand with decent customer support, which matters when you need a replacement part. *(Price when reviewed: ~£260 | View on Amazon)*

The R200 uses an advanced belt drive system that's smoother and quieter than chain-driven budget rowers. 10 magnetic resistance levels, LCD display tracking 6 metrics, and it folds for storage. Coach magazine ran this for 6 months and rated it highly for the price point.

The 120kg user weight limit is the same as the Dripex, so heavier users should look at the Joroto or Concept2 instead.

## Best Mid-Range: Joroto MR60 (Dual Resistance)

This is where it gets interesting. The Joroto MR60 combines air and magnetic resistance, so you get the natural scaling feel of air with the quiet smoothness of magnetic. *(Price when reviewed: ~£400 | View on Amazon)*

10 resistance levels, 159kg max user weight (much higher than budget options), and app compatibility via Bluetooth. The extra-long rail accommodates users up to 6'5". It folds upright for storage and the build quality feels much more substantial than anything under £300.

At £400, it sits in a tricky space. It's more than double the Dripex but less than half the Concept2. The honest question: is it worth £150 more than a Dripex? If you're over 100kg or planning to row seriously 3+ times per week, yes. The dual resistance system and higher weight capacity justify the premium.

## Best UK Brand: Mirafit Air Rower

If you already buy from Mirafit (and many UK home gym builders do, their weight bench is our top pick), their air rower is worth considering. *(Price when reviewed: ~£350 | View on Amazon)*

Pure air resistance like the Concept2, but at roughly a third of the price. The trade-off is a less refined monitor (no Bluetooth, no app connectivity) and a shorter warranty. But the rowing feel is closer to a Concept2 than any magnetic rower, and Mirafit's UK-based customer support is responsive.

It doesn't fold, which is a consideration for small spaces. But if you have a dedicated gym area, it delivers the air rowing experience at a price that makes more sense for casual to moderate use.

## What About Water Rowers?

Water rowers look like furniture and sound like actual rowing. They're gorgeous in a living room. The WaterRower Classic (£800+) is the benchmark: solid ash wood, hand-crafted, with the satisfying swoosh of water with every stroke.

But they're more of a lifestyle purchase than a training tool. The water tank needs algae tablets and occasional refilling. The resistance can feel inconsistent compared to air or magnetic systems. And at £800+, you're close to Concept2 territory without the community, app ecosystem, or commercial-grade durability.

If aesthetics matter and the rower will live in your living room, a water rower makes sense. For everyone else, air or magnetic is the practical choice.

## The Concept2 Community

Buying a Concept2 grants access to one of the most active fitness communities online. The Concept2 logbook records every workout and ranks your times against millions of rowers worldwide by age, weight, and gender. Monthly challenges, virtual races, and annual rankings provide motivation that no other cardio machine can match. This community aspect is a genuine reason to choose Concept2 over other brands. Heart rate zones on a rower provide more useful training data than stroke rate alone. A chest strap heart rate monitor (around £30-50) paired with the rowing machine's display keeps you in the correct zone. Zone 2 training (60-70% of maximum heart rate) is where most fitness and fat-burning benefits occur. Most people row too hard, spending time in zones 3-4 where fatigue accumulates faster than fitness. ## Rowing Workout Programmes

The 5,000-metre benchmark is the standard fitness test for rowers. Pull a comfortable 5k on your first session and record the time. Re-test monthly. Progress from a 25-minute first attempt to sub-20 minutes within 6-12 months is normal for recreational rowers. The Concept2 online logbook lets you compare times with global rankings by age and gender.

Steady state (rate 18-22 strokes per minute) builds aerobic base. Thirty minutes at a conversational pace, three times per week, produces measurable cardiovascular improvement within four weeks. This is where most health benefits come from and where most people should spend 80% of their rowing time. ## Air vs Magnetic vs Water: Which Resistance Type?

Air rowers (Concept2, Mirafit) scale resistance with your effort and feel most like rowing on water. They're louder. Your partner will know you're training. Best for: serious training, HIIT, CrossFit-style workouts.

Magnetic rowers (Dripex, JLL R200) are near-silent with preset resistance levels. The resistance stays the same regardless of how hard you pull. Less natural, but perfect if noise is a dealbreaker. Best for: flats, early mornings, TV rowing.

Dual (air + magnetic) (Joroto MR60) combines both systems. You get the natural scaling of air with adjustable magnetic baseline. Quieter than pure air but more dynamic than pure magnetic. Best for: people who want air rowing feel without the full noise.

Water rowers look and sound beautiful but need maintenance and cost as much as a Concept2. Best for: living rooms where the rower is on display.

For most home users: Concept2 if you can afford it, Joroto MR60 for a mid-range compromise, Dripex if noise matters or budget is tight.

## Running Costs and Maintenance

Rowing machines are low-maintenance compared to treadmills (no belt replacements) or exercise bikes (no pedal bearings). Here's what to expect:

Electricity: Rowing machines use zero electricity (all self-powered). The monitors run on batteries. One set of AAs lasts 6-12 months on a Concept2.

Cost per workout comparison: - Gym membership: £40/month = £1.33 per session (3x/week) - Concept2: £1,000 upfront = £0.64 per session over 3 years - Dripex: £250 upfront = £0.16 per session over 3 years

## Proper Rowing Technique (Avoid Injury)

Bad rowing technique is common and leads to lower back pain. The stroke has four phases:

1. The Catch: Sit tall, arms straight, shins vertical, lean slightly forward from hips 2. The Drive: Push with legs FIRST (60% of power), then lean back, then pull arms to lower ribs 3. The Finish: Legs straight, slight lean back, handle at lower chest 4. The Recovery: Arms extend first, body rocks forward, then knees bend

The biggest mistake: pulling with your arms first. Your legs do most of the work. Think 60% legs, 20% back, 20% arms. If your lower back hurts after rowing, you're likely hunching forward at the catch or pulling with your back too early.

Start with 15-20 minutes at a comfortable pace (around 22-24 strokes per minute). Most beginners row too fast. Slow down and focus on form.

## Space and Storage

Rowers are long. 2+ metres when unfolded, which catches people off guard. Measure your space before ordering.

If space is really tight, the Dripex or JLL R200 fold to the smallest footprint. Check our small space home gym guide for more equipment that packs away.

## Second-Hand Buying Guide

A used Concept2 is often better value than a new budget rower. Here's what to look for:

- Concept2 Model D/RowErg: Goes for £600-700 used. Check the drag factor (should be 90-130 on damper 4-5). Ask how many lifetime metres are on the PM5. Under 5 million is barely used. - Where to buy: Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, eBay collection-only. Avoid delivery-only listings (rowers get damaged in transit). - Red flags: Rust on the chain, cracked seat, monitor that won't turn on. Parts are available from Concept2 directly, but factor replacement costs into your offer. - Why it works: Concept2s are built for commercial gyms doing 12 hours/day. Home use barely registers on the wear scale.

## Where to Buy in the UK

## Rowing vs Other Cardio

Can't decide between a rower and a bike? We've written a full rowing machine vs exercise bike comparison. Short version: rowing works more muscles, bikes are quieter and easier to use for longer sessions. Both are great for a home gym on a budget.

For overall fitness in limited space, a rower gives you the most complete workout per square metre. Pair it with some adjustable dumbbells and a weight bench and you've got a complete home gym for under £500.

## What to Avoid

Hydraulic piston rowers. Under 150 pounds, most rowing machines use hydraulic pistons rather than air or magnetic resistance. The resistance is inconsistent -- it varies with temperature, piston wear, and angle of pull. This makes technique impossible to dial in and the movement feels unnatural. Budget at least 200 pounds for an entry-level magnetic rower.

Air rowers with thin plastic fan cases. After 6-12 months of use, vibration causes cracking in cheap plastic fan housings. The Concept2 and WaterRower use robust construction; budget air rowers often don't.

Buying without checking ceiling height. On the recovery stroke, your hands come up above shoulder height. You need at least 2 metres of ceiling clearance for safe, unobstructed rowing. Most UK homes clear this, but measure if you're in a room with sloped ceilings or low beams.

## Frequently Asked Questions

Is rowing a good workout for weight loss?

Rowing is one of the most efficient cardiovascular exercises for calorie burn because it engages the full body. A 45-minute session at moderate intensity burns approximately 400-500 calories, more than cycling and comparable to running but with significantly lower joint impact. For people who want cardio conditioning without running's joint stress, rowing is an excellent option.

What's a good rowing pace on a Concept2?

For beginners, focus on stroke rate (around 22-26 strokes per minute) and consistent splits rather than hitting specific times. A comfortable 500m split for male beginners is around 2:15-2:30; for female beginners, 2:30-2:45. These improve quickly with consistent training. The Concept2 PM5 monitor tracks your 500m split automatically.

How much maintenance does a rowing machine need?

Very little. Concept2 rowers need an occasional spray of chain lubricant (2-3 times a year) and chain replacement every few years under heavy use. The chain is inexpensive and the replacement is straightforward. Magnetic rowers need almost no maintenance -- just occasional bolt tightening. Avoid rowing on carpet without a protective mat, as carpet fibres can affect the chain on air rowers.

Can rowing replace the gym?

For cardiovascular fitness and general conditioning, yes. Rowing develops legs, core, back, and arms simultaneously, making it unusually complete for a single piece of cardio equipment. Add a set of dumbbells or kettlebells for pressing movements the rower doesn't cover, and you have a comprehensive home training setup. For specific muscle building or powerlifting goals, rowing supplements but doesn't replace weights.

## Technique: The Four Phases

Rowing technique determines whether a rower builds fitness or builds injury. The stroke has four phases and most beginners get the order wrong.

The catch is the starting position. Shins vertical, arms extended, body leaning slightly forward from the hips. The common mistake: reaching too far forward by rounding the back. Keep your chest up and your lower back flat.

The drive starts with the legs. Push through the feet first. The arms stay straight until the legs are nearly extended. Then lean back slightly from the hips. Then pull the handle to your lower ribs. The power sequence is legs-back-arms, always in that order. The legs generate 60% of the power, the back 20%, the arms 20%.

The finish is momentary. Legs extended, handle at lower ribs, slight backward lean. Shoulders relaxed, not hunched up to the ears.

The recovery reverses the drive: arms extend first, then body rocks forward from hips, then legs bend to return to the catch. The recovery should take twice as long as the drive. Fast recovery is the most common technical error and causes a rushed, bouncy stroke that wastes energy.

Learning proper technique takes 2-3 sessions of deliberate practice. Every Concept2 comes with access to their technique videos. Watching a 10-minute tutorial before your first row saves weeks of ingrained bad habits.

## Air vs Magnetic vs Water: The Real Differences

The resistance type changes how rowing feels more than any other specification.

Air resistance (Concept2 RowErg) increases automatically with effort. Row harder, get more resistance. Row gently, get less. This mimics actual rowing on water and is the standard in every rowing club, CrossFit gym, and Olympic training centre. The downside: air rowers are the loudest type. The flywheel generates a rhythmic whooshing that is audible in adjacent rooms. Not ideal for early morning training in a flat.

Magnetic resistance (JTX Freedom Air, Bodymax Infiniti R90) uses magnets to create resistance. The feel is smooth and consistent but does not scale with effort the way air resistance does. You set a resistance level and it stays constant regardless of stroke power. Magnetic rowers are near-silent. For noise-sensitive environments, they are the clear choice.

Water resistance (WaterRower Natural) uses paddles in a tank of water. The feel is organic and pleasant, with a distinctive swoosh sound. Resistance scales with effort like air, but the overall feel is smoother. Water rowers are visually attractive and often double as furniture in living spaces. The sound is considered pleasant rather than intrusive. The downsides: they cost more, they need occasional water treatment tablets (around £8 per year), and the resistance range is narrower than air at the extremes.

Hydraulic resistance (cheap rowers under £150) uses pistons that heat up during use and change resistance as they warm. Avoid these. The inconsistency makes structured training impossible and the pistons fail within 1-2 years.

## Storing a Rowing Machine

Rowers are long. The Concept2 RowErg is 2.44 metres assembled. In a dedicated gym space, this is manageable. In a spare bedroom or living room, storage becomes critical.

The Concept2 separates into two pieces in under 30 seconds. Each piece stands upright against a wall, occupying roughly 0.5 by 0.5 metres of floor space. This is the gold standard for storage design. The WaterRower stands on end and leans against a wall. Magnetic rowers with folding frames reduce length by roughly 40% but remain bulky.

If storage is your primary constraint, measure the actual dimensions when folded or separated, not just the advertised fold dimensions. And measure the space where it will live. A rower that technically fits but requires moving furniture every session will not get used. ## Why Rowing Earns Its Place

The rower has an unusual quality: it tends to become more enjoyable as fitness improves. In the first weeks, the technique is unfamiliar and the effort feels disproportionate. After a month of consistent sessions, the stroke smooths out, the output goes up, and the workout starts to feel genuinely satisfying. Unlike treadmill running, which many people never learn to enjoy, rowing usually crosses over into something people look forward to.

That makes it a sound home gym investment: equipment that gets used. A Concept2 pulled out five times a week is better value than a treadmill that sits unused. If you've tried rowing and enjoyed it, the Concept2 Model D is the correct answer at every price point above it.

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