Rowing Crazy

About Petra Amara

Written by Petra Amara - RowingCrazy.com
CEO & Founder of RowingCrazy, National Rower, Coxswain Womens Eight Team, Rowing Coach & Writer

Petra is a Mother of two and owner of Rowingcrazy.com. Petra lives and breathes rowing, she also has a passion for writing which lead her to start RowingCrazy.com to share her rowing experience and expertise with others.

Learn More About Petra Here!

Ergatta Vs WaterRower [2025] – The Winner Is…

ergatta vs waterrower

There is nothing like a rowing machine to get you into shape quickly and help you lose weight. Why waste time doing 60-minute or longer workouts at the gym when a home rower will give you a full-body workout in about half that time?!

A huge number of people have recently discovered the joys of a rowing workout experience. Water rowers have become super popular, and that’s not surprising since these types of rowers make the rowing experience as real as possible.If you’re looking for a connected rowing machine, however, this will narrow down your choices considerably. Most rowers have a screen or monitor, but not many have the advantage of being connected to the internet, giving you a challenging workout that you won’t find elsewhere.

In a Hurry?  Here are the Rowers We Are Comparing:

Want to know which rower is the best between Ergatta or WaterRower but don’t have time to read the whole article? Click on the links below to get our answers:

  1. The Ergatta Rowing Machine
  2. The WaterRower Club Rowing Machines

*We review fitness products impartially and may earn a commission from affiliate links. For details see our disclosure page.

To help you make an informed decision on which rowing machine to purchase, we have conducted a thorough evaluation of each machine, which we will share in detail in the upcoming sections of this article.

Right Let’s Get Into It!

A bit of diligence is needed when you want to find the best water tank rower for you. If you’re constrained by a tight budget, you can still find a few bargains, such as the Sunny Health & Fitness Obsidian 500, but if you want a top-end, connected fitness machine, which do you choose?

In today’s article, I’m going to spell out all the difference between the Ergatta and the WaterRower brand so you can make a more informed decision.

Let’s take a look at water rowing machines and all the benefits and features that are worth noting.

The Ergatta Rowing Machine

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Ergatta Vs WaterRower [2025] – The Winner Is… Read More »

Best Rower For Home Gym To Burn Fat Fast! [2025]

home gym rower

Our List of Top Rowers That Can Be Delivered To Your Home Quickly Easily

Sometimes, a home workout is the best way to ensure you make time for your health and save money on costly gym fees. A home rower is one of the best investments you can make for your physical well-being. They give you a low-impact full-body cardiovascular workout and are often more affordable than ellipticals or stationary bikes.

There are plenty of options on the market of rowers that will help you burn fat quickly from the comfort of your own home, all at an affordable price. Here’s a list of our favorite machines that can be shipped right to your door!

Here are My Top 3 Picks:

Looking for the best rowing machine for your home gym but don’t have time to read the whole article? Check out my top recommendations:

  1. Teeter Power 10 Elliptical Rower
  2. The Hydrow
  3. Concept2 Model D Indoor Rowing Machine

*We review fitness products impartially and may earn a commission from affiliate links. For details see our disclosure page.

You can read my full breakdown and review on each individual machine further down in this article, where we go into our findings for each machine.

When it comes to burning fat quickly on a rowing machine, you are going to want to ensure that you can do the proper technique without causing injury while still being able to get your heart-rate up to the appropriate levels for your age and fitness.

Having a rower with resistance will help you get your heart-rate up more quickly, so it is important to keep this in mind when choosing the machine that’s right for you and your home.

Additionally, you will want to focus on your legs. Working these larger muscles to a greater extent will help you burn more calories fast.

Now that you know to choose a rower that will help you focus on your legs and get your heart rate, let’s take a deeper look into some of our favorite options for burning fat fast and affordably from the comfort of your living room or home gym.

The Best At-Home Rowing Machines For Burning Fat

1. Teeter Power10 Elliptical Rower

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Best Rower For Home Gym To Burn Fat Fast! [2025] Read More »

Ergatta vs Concept 2 [2025]: Who Is the Clear Winner?

ergatta vs concept 2

Rowing machines used to be only for professional athletes, but with the recent rise of connected rowing machines, it’s much more common to find an indoor rower in many locations, including the home gym.

As a piece of home gym equipment, it’s hard to match a rowing machine. You can work 86 percent of the body’s muscles, all 11 major muscle groups get used, burn up to 900 calories an hour, and with a connected rower, you can have fun being a part of a community!

If you love fitness classes, like to compete in races, or find motivation in games, then you need a connected rower!

In a Hurry?  Here are the Rowers We Are Comparing:

Short on time but still want to know which rower is better between Ergatta or Concept 2? Check out our answers by clicking on the links below:

  1. Concept 2 Rowing Machine
  2. Ergatta Rowing Machines

*We review fitness products impartially and may earn a commission from affiliate links. For details see our disclosure page.

This article will provide a comprehensive review of these rowing machines, examining each one closely and sharing our discoveries for each machine.

Let’s Get Started On This!

You may have been looking at various rowing machines and wondered which one is the best.

Take Concept 2 and the Ergatta for example. Concept 2 has been around since the 1980s and is still a top-selling rowing machine. The Ergatta is new to the market, but it is already the talk of the fitness world.

Well, I can help clear things up for you. There are actually a couple of big differences between these two rowing machines, and once you know the differences, the choice as to which one is better becomes crystal clear.

In this article, I am going to share everything I know about these two machines. I have personally used them both, and I can tell you which one I’d buy if I were in the market for a rowing machine.

Sit back and give me just a few minutes of your time. This article is well worth the read.

What You Should Know about Concept 2 Rowing Machine

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Ergatta vs Concept 2 [2025]: Who Is the Clear Winner? Read More »

Echelon Rower vs Hydrow [2025]: The Winner Is…..

Echelon Rower vs Hydrow

If you’re interested in buying the best rowing machine ever, you’re not alone. Rowing is one of the best forms of cardiovascular exercises on the planet.

Not only that but how else can you work 86 percent of all muscles in the body simply by using one piece of gym equipment?!

Knowing that you want an indoor rower isn’t the problem; it’s choosing the best one!

If you’ve been shopping around, you’ve probably seen lots of other brands and wondered which one was better or why some rowing machines are priced higher than others when they all do basically the same thing.

 

In a Hurry?  Here are the Rowers We Are Comparing:

Are you short on time and want to know which rower is the best rower between Echelon Rower or Hydrow then click on the links below to get straight to our answers:

  1. The Echelon Smart Rower
  2. The Hydrow Rower

*We review fitness products impartially and may earn a commission from affiliate links. For details see our disclosure page.

To help you make an informed decision on which rowing machine to purchase, we have conducted a thorough evaluation of each machine, which we will share in detail in the upcoming sections of this article.

Right Let’s Get Into It!

An informed shopper is a smart shopper, so today, I’m going to compare the Hydrow vs Echelon Rower (FYI: you might also like to read my article on Ergatta vs Echelon). Both are excellent rowing machines, but one really does stand head and shoulders above the other.

The Echelon Smart Rower

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Echelon Rower vs Hydrow [2025]: The Winner Is….. Read More »

Topiom vs WaterRower vs Ergatta [2025]

Topiom vs WaterRower

Hi friends, it’s Petra, and in this article, I want to talk about water rowing machines.

I’m fortunate enough that I’ve had access to just about every type of indoor rowing machine one way or another, but if you haven’t had that option, how are you supposed to choose the correct one?

In a Hurry?  Here are the Rowers We Are Comparing:

Want to know which rower is the best between Topion, WaterRower or Ergatta but don’t have time to read the whole article? Click on the links below to get our answers:

  1. Topiom Rowing Machine
  2. WaterRower Rowing Machine
  3. Ergatta Water Rowing Machine

*We review fitness products impartially and may earn a commission from affiliate links. For details see our disclosure page.

This article will provide a comprehensive review of these rowing machines, examining each one closely and sharing our discoveries for each machine.

Right Let’s Get Into It!

There are SO many brands available right now, and the price ranges make it even more difficult. Is more expensive better?

My parents always taught me that you get what you pay for, but what if you can’t afford the best? Does that mean that you are stuck with a lemon of a water rower?

I thought that I would take on three brands of water rowers and give you the rundown on the pros and cons of each so you can make a more informed buying decision.

If you are in the market for a water resistance rowing machine, this is a must-read article.

1. The Topiom Rowing Machine

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Topiom vs WaterRower vs Ergatta [2025] Read More »

Best Budget Water Rowing Machine [2025]

Best Budget Water Rowing Machine

You can easily find a great water rowing machine even if you are on a tight budget! Don’t worry if you don’t have a ton of money, there is a plethora of options that might fall in your budget.

While there are a lot of different types of rowing machines on the market, an air rower or a indoor rowing machine based on magnetic resistance might not give you as good of a workout as a rowing machine that relies on a water tank to create its resistance. 

When you are choosing between the best water rowing machines consider which will help you get your heart rate elevated, as that’s the goal of any good cardio workout. In general, you will find that rowing machines do that better when they have a water tank instead of using a magnetic rower or an air rower, since the latter two types tend to be easier and not get your heart rate pumping as much.

In a Hurry?  Here are My Top 5 Picks:

In a rush and want to find the best economical water rowing machines for all budgets? Check out my top picks.

  1. Sunny Health & Fitness Obsidian Surge 500 SF-RW5713
  2. MaxKare Water Rowing Machine
  3. MARNUR Water Rowing Machine
  4. HouseFit Water Rower
  5. Sunny Health & Fitness Phantom Hydro – SF-RW5910

*We review fitness products impartially and may earn a commission from affiliate links. For details see our disclosure page.

Our analysis of rowing machines is listed below in this article, where we have provided a comprehensive assessment of each machine.

Whether you want to feel like you are rowing on the open water in an old fashioned boat or you want the latest and greatest in technology for your home gym, there is a rowing machine for everyone!

Click Here to Read My Full Review on Water Rowing Machines

Are Water Rowing Machines the Best? 

For starters, when you are looking for the best home rowing machine for your home gym ( see our list of top water rowing machines ), take a look at some rowing machine reviews and a review of the pros and cons of the best indoor rowing machines.

1. Sunny Health Fitness SF RW5713 Obsidian Surge 500

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Best Budget Water Rowing Machine [2025] Read More »

LIT Method Vs Hydrow [2025]: What is the Difference?

lit method vs hydrow

There are rowing machines, and then there are unique and outstanding rowing machines.

If you’ve been shopping for a replacement rowing machine, or if you’ve never owned a home rower but are interested in getting one for your home gym, you may have been more than a bit overwhelmed when you sat down and looked at all your options.

In a Hurry?  Here are the Rowers We Are Comparing:

Short on time but still want to know which rower is better between Hydrow or LIT Method? Check out our answers by clicking on the links below:

  1. The LIT Strength Machine
  2. The Hydrow

*We review fitness products impartially and may earn a commission from affiliate links. For details see our disclosure page.

This article will provide a comprehensive review of these rowing machines, examining each one closely and sharing our discoveries for each machine.

Right Let’s Get Into It!

In my opinion, and I don’t think I’m alone here, the Hydrow rower and the LIT Strength Machine are, at the moment, the top two rowing machines under that unique and outstanding category.

While I’ve never taken the time to check out exactly how many types of rowing machines are currently available, I would venture a guess that there are at least 50 or more choices. It wouldn’t surprise me one bit if someone said that there were actually 100 rowing machines currently for sale.

How does a non-professional rowing expert pick the right machine when faced with that many choices?!

While I may not be a pro, I’m crazy about rowing, and I have used at least 20 different machines in my lifetime, and I own several different models (because I’m obsessed, what can I say?), so I can help you out when it comes to picking the right machine for you.

That’s what it all boils down to. Not every machine works for everyone. Just like cars. If you haul six kids to school and soccer games, you won’t be happy in a tiny VW Bug. It’s the same dilemma with indoor rowers. Rowing machines come in all different types of colors, materials, resistance types, and classes (or lack of them).

In today’s article, I want to talk about the top two rowing machines that are as different as night and day, but both belong in the unique and impressive category.

Want the best possible rowing machine but at the same time, something different from the rest? This article is for you, friends.

Let’s look at the Hydrow Rower and the LIT Strength Machine.

See Our Black Friday & Cyber Monday Deals on Rowing Machines!

The LIT Strength Machine

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Best Interactive Rowing Machine for Your Money for 2025

Best Interactive Rowing Machine

You won’t find many pieces of gym equipment that can provide the same heart-pumping, calorie-blasting, full-body workout that an indoor rowing machine provides.

No wonder, more and more people are buying rowing machines for their home gyms.

Did you know that a rowing machine workout burns as much as 900 calories an hour? Or that a rowing machine works 86 percent of the muscles in your body during a single workout? Yes, it does those and more!

Perhaps you’ve been considering an indoor rowing machine for your home gym, but the choices are overwhelming. If you’ve been shopping for a rowing machine, it’s easy to get confused, but now there are several interactive or smart rowers to add to the mix.

In a Hurry?  Here are My Top Picks:

If you’re pressed for time and simply want to find the top-rated interactive rowers, here are my recommended choices:

    1. Hydrow Rower
    2. Ergatta Rowing Machine
    3. Aviron Home Rower

    *We review fitness products impartially and may earn a commission from affiliate links. For details see our disclosure page.

    To help you make an informed decision on which rowing machine to purchase, we have conducted a thorough evaluation of each machine below in this article.

    I know what you’re asking yourself: Are these smart rowers really worth the extra money?

    Don’t worry, it’s normal to have a lot of questions when you’re new to the sport. The good news here is that this article is dedicated to you, someone who is new to the game and who wants to know everything about rowing machines but dislikes spending hours doing research.

    I’m going to explain the different types of resistance systems, what interactive rowers are, and which are the best rowing machines for the money.

    Are you ready? This is going to be a fun little ride, so buckle up!

    Available Resistance Types of Rowing Machines

    There are basically 4 types of resistance that rowing machines use to keep you challenged. I won’t discuss hydraulic resistance rowers here because they don’t offer a true rowing experience and only mimic rowing.

    The other three types of resistance are:

    • Magnetic– Sometimes called electromagnetic resistance systems, these use magnets on a metal flywheel to provide you with different levels of resistance. This type of machine is very popular since they are virtually silent and come in a wide range of pricing.
    • Air- You might be familiar with assault bikes or air bikes that use fans to generate resistance. There are also air resistance types of rowing machines, which are lightweight but can be noisy.
    • Water– Water rowers are also very popular because they give you a more realistic rowing experience. The gentle swooshing sound of water in the tank is quite relaxing. These types of indoor rowers tend to be slightly heavier than the others, especially once the tank is filled.

    All of the above machines provide smooth resistance that will help you burn calories and offer you a terrific cardio workout.

    See Our Rowing Machine Black Friday & Cyber Monday Sale!

    Are Magnetic Resistance Types the Best Interactive Rowing Machines?

    Which resistance type makes the best indoor rowers? This really is a matter of preference. Some people swear by their air rowers, while others say that magnetic or water rowers are the best choices.

    Personally, I prefer either magnetic rowers or water rowers, but above all else, I want a rower that is interactive.

    Let’s face it, you can get bored listening to the same old music or podcasts or even watching Netflix while exercising. With a smart rower, you can’t possibly get bored!

    Of course, if you are interested in hydraulic rowers, you can check them out here.

    I want to tell you about the top 3 best at-home rowing machines offering interactive workouts that you will come to love.

    What Is the Difference Between Interactive and Non-Interactive Rowing Machines?

    The difference between these two types of rowing workouts lies in the LCD monitor.

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Best Inexpensive Rowing Machine Built to Last [2025]

Best Inexpensive Rowing Machine Built to Last!

If you are looking to purchase a new home rowing machine, you are in the right place. Think of a reasonably priced magnetic rowing machine as an investment in your health, as even beginners can get a great work out! 

In A Hurry? Our Top Pick Affordable Rowing Machines:

Short on time but need to know which is the best inexpensive home rower? Here are my recommendations:

*We review fitness products impartially and may earn a commission from affiliate links. For details see our disclosure page.

You can read my full breakdown and review on all our recommended rowers further down in this article.

The best budget rowing machine is going to have an LCD monitor to track your health metrics, give you a total body work out, monitor your heartrate, and make use of a variety of levels of resistance. Fortunately, you can find a great budget rowing machine for your home gym right here online without even doing too much searching!

Decide what is the top priority for you. There are plenty of cheap rowing machines available, but only one or two that have features like bluetooth. One of the ways you can compare the different machines aside from price is by the menu of exercises the machines offer. A good air rower, water rower, or magnetic style of rower will allow you to do some built-in strength exercises in addition to the cardio work out you will get.

Always check the rating as some rowing machines don’t get good reviews for a reason. There are some models like the body trac glider or the concept2 model that you might consider, but in reality, there are plenty of other rowers that have earned a similar rating and are not as expensive as those models.

While something like a body trac glider will give you a great rowing workout, you can go with a rowing machine from Sunny Health and still have the same rowing experience.

Click Here to See All Our Quiet Rowing Machines – Shhh!

What is the Best Inexpensive Rowing Machine?

First, you need to decide what type of resistance you are looking for, as you can get a magnetic rower, a water rower, or an air resistance rower. Most rowing machines come with heart rate monitors, so you should be able to get an elevated heart rate no matter what resistance type you choose.

Even though you are looking for a cheap rowing machine you still want to make sure you get a stamina rower, so that you are building both strength and endurance when working out.

Focus less on the money. Look at consumer reviews and when you find a couple you like that are all similar then you can drill down and find the cheapest of the ones you like. Don’t necessarily run out and buy the cheapest rowing machine you can find, as you do not want to get a money pit that is going to be constantly under repair, or worse, unusable. Look for cheap, but don’t look for so cheap it should be free!

Not on a Budget – Want the Best Machine Out There? Click Here!

Is it Ever Worth Spending Extra Money on a Rowing Machine?

The short answer is – probably not. There are plenty of rowers with a high rating that are available on a budget, and you should actually have the problem of having too many choices instead of not enough.

Prioritize getting your workout in, and you can do that on a rowing machine on a budget, you do not need all the bells and whistles that cost more money. If you are not big into technology, don’t spend the extra money on a huge LCD screen that syncs up to your phone. Buy a basic model that lets you get in a great rowing workout.  If you are new to rowing be sure to check out our rowing machine 30 day challenge article, it is really easy and ideal for beginners!

Rowers are designed to workout every muscle group in your body, so no matter the rating, as long as you row you are going to get that workout in and burn calories. Your goal should be to buy the rowing machine that you will use the most and not worry too much about the rating or the extra gadgets that come with spending more money.

Which is the Best Type of Budget Rowing Machines?

Rowing machines are such a good addition to home gyms because of the total body workout you can get when using them. Obviously, you get a great cardio burn, but with a home rowing machine, you are also going to get a strength workout as your legs and arms both feel the burn. Don’t forget that your chest and back will also be working hard when you are rowing.

The best type of indoor rowing machine is going to have a lot of levels of magnetic resistance so you can easily decide how difficult you want your workout to be on a given day. With the right resistance system, many different people in your house can use the same indoor rowing machine, since you can switch those levels of resistance to easily match the needs of either a beginner rower or an expert. A cheap rowing machine can end up serving your needs just fine.

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Best Rowing Machine for Back Pain [2025]

Best Rowing Machine for Back Pain

Back pain is the worst! It’s a catch-22, where the right exercise can help relieve your pain, but it might hurt too much to exercise. 

But first things first. If your back hurts, you need to see a doctor. Whether the pain is caused by a poor posture, lack of exercise or too much of it, or an accident or injury, your physician will be the right person to assess your situation.

If exercising is recommended, that’s when you proceed to look for the best rowing machine for your back pain.

In a Hurry?  Here are My Top 4 Picks:

Looking for the best back-friendly rowing machine for pain relief but don’t have time to read the whole article? Check out my top recommendations.

  1. Teeter Power 10 Elliptical Rower
  2. Avari 150-335 Conversion II
  3. Stamina Conversion II
  4. Teeter Fitspine Inversion Table

*We review fitness products impartially and may earn a commission from affiliate links. For details see our disclosure page.

To help you make an informed decision on which rowing machine to purchase, we have conducted a thorough evaluation of each machine below in this article.

Let’s Get Started On This!

Below in this article, we will look at recumbent bike rowers like those from Stamina and Avari, and the elliptical rower from Teeter.

But I’m clearly jumping ahead. Let’s get some questions and confusions out of the way first before we pick out the best rowing machine for you.

Is Rowing Machine Good for Back Muscles?

Rowing strengthens your core and back muscles, among other major muscle groups in your body. That’s Fact #1.

So, yes, there’s no doubt about it, rowing is good for your back.

Will rowing help resolve an already painful back? Like I said earlier, that should be up to your physician to determine.

The good news is – strengthening your core and back muscles can prevent and ease back pains. That’s Fact #2. So once your doctor gives you the go signal to start on a regimen, rowing should be on the top of your list.

Whenever you’re starting a new workout at home, take your time to perfect your form and stroke (see our top rowing machine back workouts by our expert rower Max). This will prevent any injury and ensure that you get the full benefit of your workout.

It’s important not to rush. Instead, you should enjoy the experience. Always make sure that you use all the correct muscles from your back, shoulder, chest, arms, core, hips, and legs. Once you get the basic movements right, you may start trying new routines until you find what works best for you.  Side Note: If you are looking for the most popular rower that everyone is talking about be sure to ready my full article on the Hydrow Rowing Machine

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Ergatta vs Nordictrack [Updated 2025]: Don’t Buy the Wrong Rower!

ergatta vs nordictrack

Chances are that you’ve seen rowing machines sitting in a corner at your local gym. What was once an exercise machine that only fanatics like myself used is now super popular!

If you’ve decided to add an indoor rowing machine to your home gym, smart move!

I’m betting you’ve done some research about your upcoming purchase so that you get the best possible rowing machine for your money. Who doesn’t want the best, right?

The problem is choosing the best! What is “the best” for one person may not be perfect for someone else.

In a Hurry?  Here are the Rowers We Are Comparing:

If you’re in a hurry and need to know which rower is better between Ergatta or NordicTrack, click on the links below for our answers:

  1. The NordicTrack RW900
  2. The Ergatta Rowing Machine

*We review fitness products impartially and may earn a commission from affiliate links. For details see our disclosure page.

To help you make an informed decision on which rowing machine to purchase, we have conducted a thorough evaluation of each machine, which we will share in detail in the upcoming sections of this article.

Right Let’s Get Into It!

Not only do you want a rowing machine that fits your lifestyle and personal preferences, but you also want a machine that will really last and stand the test of time.

If your choices have boiled down to either the Ergatta or the NordicTrack RW900, I understand what makes your decision so difficult.

Both of these are premium machines with many similarities, but at the same time, many differences that can make or break your rowing workouts.

The good news is that I’ve used both machines, and in today’s article, I’m going to compare these connected rowers so you can make a more informed decision.

Are you ready? Let’s talk about connected rowers and all the fun gadgets they have to offer.

The NordicTrack RW900

 

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Ergatta vs Nordictrack [Updated 2025]: Don’t Buy the Wrong Rower! Read More »