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Best Rowing Machines Under 200 That Will Last! [2024]

home rowers Under 200 Dollars

If you are on a budget, you will still be able to find a great rowing machine for under $200. When looking for a rowing machine under 200, you probably want to start your search with Sunny Health Fitness SF, as they make a variety of rowing machines that work on a budget.

Rowing machines like the Stamina Body Trac Glider 1050 and the Health Fitness SF RW1205 give you all the great benefits of the best rowing machine you can buy but are available at a lot cheaper prices than some of the more expensive options on the market.

Editors Choice Badge for Best Home Rowers under $200In a Hurry?  Here are My Top 5 Picks:

If you’re pressed for time and simply want to find the best rowing machine under $200, here are my recommended choices:

  1. Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW560
  2. Stamina Body Trac
  3. Sunny Health and Fitness SF-RW1205
  4. Sunny Health and Fitness SF-RW5639
  5. Sunny Health and Fitness Squat Assist Row-N-Ride

*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.

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Right Let’s Get Into It!

Whether you are looking for a hydraulic rowing machine or a magnetic rowing machine, you should be able to find one in your budget. There are a lot of factors to consider from resistance levels to seat height, to LCD monitors. We will break down everything you need to know about finding a great rowing machine even if you are on a tight budget.

How to Shop for Great Rowing Machines Under 200

Why are you shopping for a rowing machine? Think about the why before you start shopping as that is going to tell you what to shop for and help you figure out what your priorities are. Are you looking more to build strength and muscle mass or are you more after a cardio workout? Think about these factors as you start your shopping.

You might not think $200 is a lot of money, but you can find some great budget rowing machines under 200 if you just know where to look. Take a look at some of the best rowing machines that are available for purchase even on a tight monetary constraint.

1. Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW560

Sunny Health & Fitness Rowing Machine Rower Ergometer with Digital Monitor, Inclined Slide Rail, 220 LB Max Weight and Foldable - SF-RW5606

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This rower Sunny Health Fitness SF is one of the best rowing machines you can buy for under 200 dollars. Take a look at the unique features this machine offers.

 

Pros:

  • Elastic cord with 4 levels of adjustable resistance so you can work out every major muscle group with this piece of exercise equipment
  • The oversized LCD display is easy to read and track your actual rowing metrics during your workout so you can easily count calories if you desire
  • The padded seat and footplates make this a comfortable rowing machine for taller people especially with the non-slip foot pedals

Sunny Health & Fitness Rowing Machine features

Cons:

  • Only 4 levels of resistance, which are limiting if you are sharing the machine with others or want the room to grow as you get stronger
  • Be mindful that there is a maximum user weight capacity of 220 pounds however this is one of the best cheap rowing options on the market.

2. Stamina Body Trac

Stamina Body Trac Glider 1050 Rowing Machine

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This stamina inmotion rower is a great option. The body trac glider 1050 rowing machine is easily a top choice for the best rowing machine under 200 dollars, so it should fit in your price range.

 

Pros:

  • Making use of water resistance, this machine uses a full range of motion to make you feel like you are rowing on the open water
  • Foldable arms make this easy to store and it won’t take up much space when it’s in storage
  • The solid steel frame makes this a durable rowing machine no matter which resistance level you are using

Stamina Body Trac Glider 1050 folded up for storage

Cons:

  • While easy to fold up, the machine is a bit heavy and is cumbersome to maneuver around your home, but for a rowing machine under 200 you really can’t go wrong with this one.

See Our Top Rowers Under $500 – Click Here!

3. Sunny Health and Fitness SF-RW1205

Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW1205 Rowing Machine Rower

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If you are looking for a good entry level rowing machine for a full body workout at a low cost, check out this Health Fitness SF RW1205. The SunnyHealth Fitness SF machine offers 12 levels of resistance and is one of the best hydraulic rowers you can buy.

 

Pros:

  • Hydraulic resistance is a great way to get in a cheap rowing workout powered by a hydraulic piston
  • Adjustable resistance is great for a full-range workout
  • This fitness rowing machine is one of the best indoor rowers in terms of storage and space, as the design lets you easily move it around your home with ease
  • Hydraulic pistons for an adjustable workout and the digital monitor lets you track your time stroke with ease

Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW1205 Digital monitor and adjustable resistance

Cons:

  • Hydraulic resistance is not the best type of resistance and experienced rowers might get bored with this type of tension

See the Best Inexpensive Rowing Machines!

4. Sunny Health and Fitness SF-RW5639

Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5639 Full Motion Rowing Machine Rower

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This particular fitness rowing machine sunny health makes is another good entry level rowing machine that should be in your price range. Arguably the best rowing machine in this price range, the Health Fitness SF RW5639 should certainly be on your list of rowing machines to consider.

 

Pros:

  • Full range of motion and powered by hydraulic pistons, if you are after a full-motion arms workout or just want to do full motion rowing, this is a top choice
  • The hydraulic piston powers 12 levels of adjustable resistance
  • Easy to read LCD monitor to track time, calories burned, stroke count and other metrics – the LCD display on this rowing machine sunny health fitness makes is top of the line
  • Sturdy solid steel frame
  • Non-slip foot pedals

Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5639 LCD Monitor and adjustable resistance

Cons:

  • LCD monitor can be overwhelming and distracting while you are working out

Is it worth buying a rowing machine?

5. Sunny Health and Fitness Squat Assist Row-N-Ride

Sunny Health & Fitness Squat Assist Row-N-Ride Trainer

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Whether you are looking for the Health Fitness SF RW1410 or the Stamina Body Trac Glider 1050 rowing machine, you will probably also like this option from Sunny Health Fitness SF.  Easily tone and build strength with this great compact workout machine.

Pros:

  • The digital LCD monitor is quality built, that is sturdy and reliable
  • With a low cost and adjustable resistance level, you can get a workout you can be proud of and also use the LCD display to track things like calories burned and keep track of the resistance level you prefer
  • Your glutes will workout in a full range of motion, giving your lower body a great workout
  • Comes with 3 adjustable resistance bands
  • Adjustable heights

Sunny Health & Fitness Squat Assist Row-N-Ride digial monitor and adjustable seat

Cons:

  • muscle groups are limited with mostly only your glutes getting a good workout, while your back and upper body do not get much of a workout

Making your Decision based on Ease of Adjustments

Here’s something else to consider: how many people in your home will use this machine? Some rowing machines are better left alone and don’t adjust well. While other machines have resistance levels and seats that can be easily adjusted.

man working out using a rowing machine

If you are sharing this machine with your wife or roommates, and all users are not at the same fitness level, you want to make sure you look at buying a rowing machine that can be easily adjusted in between users. You don’t want to psyche yourself up for a good workout only to be frustrated with adjusting it once you are ready to get started.

Even if you are the only user of the machine, you might find that you want to adjust it after you use it a lot and your fitness improves. As you get stronger, you will want to increase the resistance to get a better workout. Pick a machine that can be easily adjusted.

Click Here to See Great Rowers for Less Than $300!

How to Find the Best Home Rowing Machine for you?

You want to consider resistance levels when you are shopping for rowing machines. From magnetic resistance levels to hydraulic rowers and air resistance, you will have a lot of choices to pick from. When looking for the right rowing machine under 200 dollars consider the stamina body trac glider 1050 rowing machine. You could also look at the Health Fitness SF RW410 or the Harvil Hydraulic rowing machine.

rowing machines

In general, a magnetic rowing machine like the health fitness sf rw1410 is going to give you the most variation in resistance levels, which is the best way to get a full motion arms workout.

Consider LCD displays and LCD monitors if tracking metrics like calories burned is important to you.

Other Important Considerations

A rowing machine like the stamina inmotion rower gives you a full motion arms rowing workout and it really doesn’t matter if it uses magnetic resistance or air resistance, you are going to feel the burn!

The rowing machine best for you might have non slip foot pedals, or maybe you want to prioritize a company with good customer service that lets you leave a reply if you need help with your rower.Check Out our Buyers Guide for Rowing Machines

Does the Machine Come with Warranty?

You might find a rower that has a good warranty, and if a warranty is important to you, you should be able to find a rowing machine under 200 dollars that has a strong warranty. The best rowing machines back up their products with a warranty.

Do you have storage space in your home or do you need a rower with a design that is adjustable and can be folded up to take up less space?

No Space? See All Our Easy Storage Machines!

Why Sunny Health Fitness?

Stamina Body Trac Glider 1050

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You might have noticed a lot of options on this list from Sunny Health. There’s a reason for this. They focus on making affordable exercise equipment. Their customer service department is outstanding, and they have many satisfied customers who were once sitting where you are – debating on which piece of equipment to buy.

Leaders in Budget Exercise Equipment

There are other reputable brands too, but it just so happens that Sunny Health has multiple quality rowers available. They also offer more than just rowers, so if you are looking to expand your home gym and buy other equipment, you can do all of that right on their website.

There might be some brands out there that offer higher quality products, but none come close to the price range of products available from Sunny Health. If your budget is tight, they stand out from the pack as the leader in the budget exercise equipment industry.

The Best Rowing Machine Design

You want to be able to find a rower with a design you like. Any of the best rowers machines under 200 dollars you find should have a solid steel build and an LCD display so you can keep track of your workout metrics.

The design of the rower is unique to the user. Some might prioritize the LCD display to track their workout, but others might need a design that suits taller people or heavier people. There is a rowing machine out there for you!

Remember that a rower like the stamina in motion rower makes use of magnetic resistance for the best rowing experience.

Want the Best Rower? Click Here to See Who!

LCD Monitor

LCD monitor

You should be able to get an LCD monitor that lets you track everything from calories burned, to the different magnetic resistance levels available to you.

When you are rowing, you want to be able to keep track of how far you are rowing and how fast you are rowing and a good rower will have a display that keeps track of everything.

The display might be adjustable, and you should be able to view it clearly when you are rowing.

Rowers Versus Other Equipment

If you don’t have much money to spend, a rower is arguably the best machine you could purchase. The reason is that this type of equipment works out almost all of your muscles. There is no other piece of gym equipment that can give you close to the same total body workout that a rowing machine provides you with.

You get a cardio workout and a strength workout all while using one piece of equipment. Think of how much money you can save on gym memberships and on other home gym equipment!

Yes, a rower is an investment and you have to spend some money to get it, but you might not need to ever spend another dollar on fitness. This type of equipment gives you the best workout for your overall health.

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

Make the Most of Your Dollar

money on hand

What if there was a piece of equipment that could take the place of your gym membership? Gone are the recurring monthly fees and replaced with a piece of equipment you own that you can use every day from the comforts of your own home.

A treadmill gives you a cardio workout but not a strength workout. Not only that, but it is considered a high impact exercise and you run the risk of injuring your joints due to repetitive pounding.

An exercise bike is more low impact, but your upper body does not get any work out whatsoever when you bike. Using a bike instead of a rower is a little like working out only half your body and leaving the other half out to dry.  Side Note:  You might also like to read Rowing Vs Cycling

How a Rower can Improve your Health

A side benefit might be losing some weight, but only if you improve your diet as well. Losing weight shouldn’t be your only health goal.

Cardio exercise is going to make your heart stronger and help you fight off diseases. And, the strength workout you get could help speed up metabolism and keep your health in good shape.

women talking next to rowing machine

Be careful not to overdo it if you haven’t worked out in a long time. Make sure you check with your doctor before you get too involved with any workouts. A doctor can help you understand all of the benefits of working out with a rowing machine and he can help you understand how often and how long you should work out for at any one time.

What are your workout priorities?

Yes, you can get a rower on a budget. What else is important to you? Some rowers are going to give your total body a better workout than others. Building muscle mass might look a little different than focusing on a cardio workout, and you can find rowing machines that are focused on different types of exercises.

Only Pay for What You Need

Just remember that you can have it all and you shouldn’t be pressured into buying the same rowing machine as your friend. Your friend might have different priorities, so what works for him might not work as well for you. It depends on what you are each looking for. He might have a higher budget, so can find one that syncs to his phone and offers more technological upgrades.

Pay for what you need. In the case of a rowing machine, you should focus most on types of resistance. The resistance is the key to your workout and you need to decide on how hard you want to workout or if an easier workout would be acceptable for you. There is no right answer that is one size fits all. Every machine is different and each person might have different priorities.

A Word about Consumer Reviews

Don’t buy the rowing machine your friend has or is in your local gym – at least not without researching it first. Remember that each machine is different and they all have different features. You need to carefully review the pros and cons of each option so you can make an educated choice.

lady at the gym on a concept2 rower exercising

Don’t ignore customer reviews. What other people say shouldn’t rule your decision, but you do want to take a peek at reviews to see if users have any common problems. Be aware that reviews can be fabricated and you shouldn’t make your decision just because of reviews, but you also don’t want to ignore them completely either.

Think of consumer reviews as a little tiny factor in your decision. You basically just want to be knowledgeable about what people are saying in case they identified any major problems with the machine. That’s about it. Just look into the feedback about the machines so you can prevent yourself from possibly buying a lemon.

What else do you need to know about Rowing Machines?

Probably the biggest takeaway is that yes, you can get a quality machine without spending a ton of money. In fact, there really isn’t that much of a difference between a cheap machine and an expensive machine. Typically, the more expensive machines are not necessarily that much better than a cheaper machine.

Cheaper Rowers are Sometimes a Wiser Option

This is not a case where paying more money typically pays off. Buy the cheaper machine and you won’t feel guilty if you end up not using it as much as you thought. Or, if you use it a lot maybe you will find features you love and hate so you have the experience to make a choice if you want to upgrade to an expensive option.

Our Top Pick:

Find the Right Fit

You’ve done the homework and are ready to pull the trigger. Buy your new rowing machine with confidence. All of the rowers on our list are great candidates for you to buy even if you don’t have a lot of money to spend.

You get out of your rowing machine what you put in. You could buy a $5,000 piece of equipment and if all it does is serve as a hanger for your clothes in your bedroom, you will get no benefits.

Pick the machine that feels right to you, and as long as you workout consistently you are going to reap a lot of benefits!