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!

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 »

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

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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Hydrow Drag Setting: What It Does and How to Use It [2025]

hydrow drag setting

Hi there, fellow Hydrow owners! I’m Petra, and in this article, I want to talk about the drag setting on Hydrow.

The drag setting on your rowing machine simulates the actual drag on a boat when rowing on water. For Hydrow, the default setting is 104, and most workouts are designed to be rowed at that level.

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

If you’re a beginner, first try working out at that setting for a few workouts before increasing or decreasing it to what you think is the best fit for you.

If you’re confused about the whole thing, or if you just want to know more about how your Hydrow drag setting works, I’ve got you covered.

Let’s talk about how the drag setting works, what it means, what it does, and all other Hydrow related stuff.

What Should the Hydrow Drag Be Set at?

By default, the drag setting on your Hydrow is at 104. Hydrow feels that this setting most represents what a workout on the water feels like.

I recommend trying a couple of workouts using the set 104 drag setting, especially if you are a beginner. Hydrow designed most workouts to be rowed at 104, so that generally works for rowers of all shapes and weight.

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Best Cardio Machines for Glutes to Get them Firing! [2025]

Best Cardio Machines for Glutes

Remember that old song from the 1980’s Baby Got Back? It seems as if that song never really went out of style! Everyone (yes, gentleman, I am talking to you as well) wants to have a more beautiful butt; however, it takes some work to get it and keep it!

You know you need cardio, but cardio alone won’t get you that beautiful butt or legs.

You don’t have to sacrifice one for the other, however. You can work both your glutes and your heart in one simple cardio device.

Keep reading and I’m going to set the record straight on the best cardio machines for a debonair derriere!

In a Hurry?  Here are My Top 5 Picks:

Don’t have time to read the whole article? Here are my top picks for the best glute-blasting cardio machines.

  1. Hydrow Rower
  2. Teeter Power10 Elliptical Rower
  3. Teeter FreeStep Elliptical Trainer
  4. StairMaster SM3
  5. Bowflex M8 Max Trainer

*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.

5 Machines that Will Give You the Best Cardio for Glute Activation

There are machines that get your glutes a workout, and then there are those that make your glutes, well, POP! As in eye-popping! Here’s my list of the best cardio devices that will really make glute activation the highlight of your workout and make you really proud of your butt!

1. The Hydrow Rower

 

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Best Cardio Machines for Glutes to Get them Firing! [2025] Read More »

Hydrow UK Review 2025: What We Found From Testing

Hydrow UK - Is this rower for sale here

Hi there, friends! Today, I want to have a heart-to-heart chat with my friends in the UK. If you’ve been reading my articles and wondering if Hydrow is offered in the UK, I’ve got great news for you!

Yes, you too can experience that ultra-smooth feel, enjoy live and on-demand workouts, and get an amazing full-body workout all in one piece of equipment because Hydrow’s immersive experience is now available in the UK.

Let’s talk about the exciting Hydrow rowing machine and the amazing full-body workout you can get from your own home gym!

Our Promise to You:

“Buying a Hydrow is a big investment. No one wants to pay a premium price for a machine that doesn’t stand up to rigorous testing. At our office, we are continually testing the Hydrow so it gets plenty of daily use from multiple people.  read more

Hydrow UK Review 2025: What We Found From Testing Read More »

Best Rowing Machine with a Racing Screen [2025]

rowing machine with racing screen

Rowing machines offer a terrific full-body cardio workout that engages 86 percent of the muscles in the body. This might explain why rowing machines have become super popular.

However, what fun is going fast on your rowing machine when the only one you’re racing against is yourself? OK, there is some level of satisfaction in beating your own time, but I must admit that I’m a bit of a fan when it comes to racing others.

If you’re only interested in the number of calories you burn on your machine, or if you just want to get buff, then any rowing machine you choose should do the job, but let’s talk about fun, shall we?

In a Hurry?  Here are My Top Picks:

  1. The Hydrow Rower
  2. Ergatta Water Rower
  3. Concept 2 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 rower further down in this article.

Rowing Machines with Screens for Racing

Today’s new interactive rowers, also called smart rowers, enable you to not only enjoy scenic workouts and have professional rowers as your trainers, but also allow you to race against others anywhere around the world via the internet and WiFi.

Wooden water rowers, air rowers, or magnetic resistance rowers can all engage in racing games on your screen when you own a certain type of home rowing machine.

Want to know which piece of rowing equipment offers these fun types of racing games? Keep reading. In today’s article, let’s talk about the best rowers that offer not only a full-body workout but also fun and adrenaline rush. I will compare three rowing machines and how they fare in offering the best racing experience.

Hydrow: The Absolute Best Indoor Rowing Machine for Racing

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