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An indoor rowing machine is one of the best tools for getting into shape in your home gym. Like most gym equipment, there is a wide range of options. What do rower machines cost and how much can you expect to pay for a good one? I’ve gathered a lot of prices of all the popular models and here are the results.
Indoor rowing machines cost anywhere from $100 to $2500. A good rower can be bought for $600 to $1200 depending on type, model and brand. Rowers with water resistance are the most expensive ($1300 average), while ones with air resistance are much cheaper with a $750 average price.
If you want to know more about rower pricing and exactly what you can expect for your money, keep reading. Or you can click here to find the best one for your money.
Contents
How much does a good indoor rower cost?
what kind of budget do you need to buy a good, high quality, indoor rowing machine that will get you into shape and lasts for a long time?
The Concept2 rowing machines are by far the most popular models available. You can see these machines everywhere. They are relatively simple, sturdy and are well built. They also have great customer support and if you would want to get rid of it, the second hand models still fetch a decent amount of money because they are so well know and highly regarded.
Concept2 has 2 models of indoor rowing machine that look very similar but have a few key differences;
- Model D: Lower seat, aluminum legs, folding monitor arm
- Model E: Higher seat, welded steel construction, fixed monitor arm.
Functionally, both models are the same with exactly the same way of creating resistance, setting and performance monitor. The Model D is a bit easier to put away for storage because the aluminum legs are lighter and the performance arm can fold.
Both are used in commercial settings so durability wise, you don’t have to worry about going for the lighter model D if you like the easier storage.
The model D is a bit cheaper and can be had for about $900 while the model E is a few hundred dollar more at about $1250. Prices vary a little over time so check the exact current price on Amazon by clicking the link below.
Is 30 minutes on a rowing machine enough to see results?
Both are great choices for a high quality indoor rowing machine.
- Assembled: 8 ft x 2 ft (244 cm x 61 cm) With Clearance for Use: 9 ft x 4 ft (274 cm x 122 cm)
- For Storage: 25 in x 33 in x 54 in (63.5 cm x 83.8 cm x 137.2 cm).
- 500 lbs. user weight limit
- Fits users with up to 38 inseam
- Popular with athletes, gyms and home gyms
Rowing machine prices
First, let’s take a look at all the types models and brands. Below is a chart of rower prices of every type. The prices are MSRP without any shipping, handling or anything extra.
| Brand | Resistance type | Price |
|---|---|---|
| LifeSpan | Air + Magnetic | 1199 |
| LifeSpan | Magnetic | 499 |
| Life Fitness | Liquid | 2265 |
| Life Fitness | Liquid | 1399 |
| BodyCraft | Air + Magnetic | 899 |
| BodyCraft | Air + Magnetic | 1199 |
| BodyCraft | Air + Magnetic | 1499 |
| Body-Solid | Air | 1300 |
| Marcy | Air | 400 |
| Marcy | Magnetic | 260 |
| Marcy | Magnetic | 280 |
| Marcy | Magnetic | 300 |
| Marcy | Water | 600 |
| Marcy | Water | 750 |
| Concept2 | Air | 945 |
| Concept2 | Air | 1100 |
| Sunny Health | Magnetic | 400 |
| Sunny Health | Hydraulic | 109 |
| Sunny Health | Air + Magnetic | 290 |
| Sunny Health | Magnetic | 250 |
| Sunny Health | Hydraulic | 200 |
| Fitness Reality | Magnetic | 325 |
| Fitness Reality | Magnetic | 535 |
| Fitness Reality | Water | 599 |
| Fitness Reality | Magnetic | 699 |
| ProForm | Air | 462 |
| MaxCare | Magnetic | 230 |
| MaxCare | Air | 270 |
| NordicTrack | Air + Magnetic | 1299 |
| NordicTrack | Air + Magnetic | 999 |
| NordicTrack | Air + Magnetic | 1599 |
| Schwinn | Magnetic | 499 |
| Goplus | Hydraulic | 200 |
| Stamina | Magnetic | 299 |
| Stamina | Water | 999 |
| Stamina | Hydraulic | 149 |
| Stamina | Hydraulic | 499 |
| Horizon | Magnetic | 799 |
| Horizon | Magnetic | 899 |
| Lanos | Hydraulic | 200 |
| ProGear | Hydraulic | 300 |
| Livebest | Hydraulic | 105 |
| Xterra | Magnetic | 280 |
| WaterRower | Water | 1095 |
| WaterRower | Water | 900 |
| WaterRower | Water | 1495 |
| WaterRower | Water | 1695 |
| WaterRower | Water | 2500 |
| Average | 751.52 |
If you’re looking for a good rower for your home gym, click here to find my favorite and why it is my favorite for home gyms.
As you can see there, the average price over all of these models is $751. However there is a range in prices from $105 to $2500. That shows you there is a massive range of prices. Of course there are plenty of reasons for rowers having a different price;
- Resistance type
- Brand
- Quality
- Warranty
- Design
Let’s dive in a little deeper and look at the different types of machines. I’ve divided up the machines by resistance type. Resistance type is the biggest difference between the rowers.
Read more about the differences between the rowing machine resistance types in this post (click)
Air rower prices
This is the go-to type of machine for most athletes and people who want to train for actual rowing. Because many people look for an air rower, there are some more expensive models and a few cheap ones.
| Brand | Resistance type | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Body-Solid | Air | 1300 |
| Marcy | Air | 400 |
| Concept2 | Air | 945 |
| Concept2 | Air | 1100 |
| ProForm | Air | 462 |
| MaxCare | Air | 270 |
| Average | 746.17 |
As you can see, the average price is still about the same as for the total at $746. The range of prices is a bit narrower than in the full list with prices ranging from $270 to $1300.
When we remove the highest and lowest price, the average drops to $726 with a range from $400 to $1100. That’s still a large range although quite a bit smaller.
That’s still a wide range. That’s because there is a big range of qualities, designs and warranties available that influence the price.
A decent air rower will cost $400 or more. The most popular and best models cost around $1000. Concept2 rowing machines are considered the go to choice for athletes, gyms and home gyms. They can be bought from about $900 to $1250.
If you’re looking for a good rower for your home gym, click here to find my favorite and why it is my favorite for home gyms.
Air + Magnetic rower prices
I’ve decided to split up the air and air +magnetic categories. They are significantly different and come with a different price tag. So if you’re looking for one type over another, it’s good to know what you can expect.
| Brand | Resistance type | Price |
|---|---|---|
| LifeSpan | Air + Magnetic | 1199 |
| BodyCraft | Air + Magnetic | 899 |
| BodyCraft | Air + Magnetic | 1199 |
| BodyCraft | Air + Magnetic | 1499 |
| Sunny Health | Air + Magnetic | 290 |
| NordicTrack | Air + Magnetic | 1299 |
| NordicTrack | Air + Magnetic | 999 |
| NordicTrack | Air + Magnetic | 1599 |
| Average | 1122.87 |
Rowers that combine air and magnetic resistance are quite a bit more expensive than just air. The average price shoots up to $1122. Prices range from $290 to $1599.
If we remove the highest and lowest price, the average goes up to $1182. More importantly, the price range narrows down to $899 to $1499.
For a good quality Air + Magnetic resistance rower you can expect to pay $900 to $1200.
Suggested post: Which cardio machines work under low ceilings?
Hydraulic rower prices
Hydraulic rowers can barely be called rowers compared most of the other resistance types. The movement pattern and smoothness isn’t on the same level. However, many people want to compromise on those things because hydraulic rowers are cheaper and smaller. So let’s see what kind of money you can expect to pay for one.
| Brand | Resistance type | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sunny Health | Hydraulic | 109 |
| Sunny Health | Hydraulic | 200 |
| Goplus | Hydraulic | 200 |
| Stamina | Hydraulic | 149 |
| Stamina | Hydraulic | 499 |
| Lanos | Hydraulic | 200 |
| ProGear | Hydraulic | 300 |
| Livebest | Hydraulic | 105 |
| Average | 220.25 |
It’s clear that hydraulic rowers are much cheaper than the other types. The average price of an hydraulic rower is $220. The prices range from $105 to $499. This is much lower than any other type.
If we take out the highest and lowest price from the list, the average price drops to only $193 with prices ranging from $109 to $300.
For around $200 you can buy a decent hydraulic rower.
Magnetic rower prices
Many machines on the cheaper end come with a magnetic resistance. These have become more popular over the last years. While you can get expensive magnetic resistance rowers, most of them are in the lower price range.
| Brand | Resistance type | Price |
|---|---|---|
| LifeSpan | Magnetic | 499 |
| Marcy | Magnetic | 260 |
| Marcy | Magnetic | 280 |
| Marcy | Magnetic | 300 |
| Sunny Health | Magnetic | 400 |
| Sunny Health | Magnetic | 250 |
| Fitness Reality | Magnetic | 325 |
| Fitness Reality | Magnetic | 535 |
| Fitness Reality | Magnetic | 699 |
| MaxCare | Magnetic | 230 |
| Schwinn | Magnetic | 499 |
| Stamina | Magnetic | 299 |
| Horizon | Magnetic | 799 |
| Horizon | Magnetic | 899 |
| Xterra | Magnetic | 280 |
| Average | 436.93 |
There are quite a few magnetic rowers on the market. The average price of magnetic rowing machines is about $437. Prices range from $230 to $899.
If we take out the highest and lowest price, the average drops to $417 with a range of prices from $250 to $799.
Magnetic rowers come in many different qualities and with different warranties. For $400 to $500 you can get a decent model while higher quality magnetic resistance models can be had for around $600 to $800.
Water rowing machine prices
Finally, the water rower type.
| Brand | Resistance type | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Life Fitness | Water | 2265 |
| Life Fitness | Water | 1399 |
| Marcy | Water | 600 |
| Marcy | Water | 750 |
| Fitness Reality | Water | 599 |
| Stamina | Water | 999 |
| WaterRower | Water | 1095 |
| WaterRower | Water | 900 |
| WaterRower | Water | 1495 |
| WaterRower | Water | 1695 |
| WaterRower | Water | 2500 |
| Average | 1299.73 |
This is by far the most expensive category or rowers. The average price is $1300 with prices ranging from $599 to $2500.
When we remove the highest and lowest price, the average drops slightly to $1244 and the range narrows from $600 to $2265.
So you can see there are big differences between water rowers. The lowest priced ones are still not cheap, especially compared to other categories. And the highest priced ones are far more expensive than the upper end of any other type.
A good water rowing machines start at around $900. The price goes up from there but what you get extra isn’t all that much. Sure you can get higher quality, better materials and better design but the difference isn’t as big as from $600 to $900.
Are cheap indoor rowing machines any good?
Is it wise to spend your money on a cheaper rowing machine or should you just get an expensive one and leave the cheap ones alone?
Hydraulic rowing machines are cheap but not really worth buying in my opinion. You buy an indoor rowing machine to get a good fully body cardio workout. Most of the hydraulic resistance ones just move the upper body but barely involve the lower body. If you’re looking for an upper body workout, just get a set of dumbbells or kettlebells.
Magnetic resistance rowers are the cheapest version of a rowing machine that involves both the upper and lower body. While some rowers with magnetic resistance are expensive high-end machines most of the cheap ones have magnetic resistance.
These machines have pretty much the same movement pattern as the more expensive models and usually provide enough resistance for a good workout. So in that regard, you’re getting a lot of value for money with the cheaper versions. However, there are some drawbacks as well;
- Less sturdy construction
- Often noisier
- Less smooth
- Cheaper materials
- Simpler electronics
- Different resistance
If cheaper models do the same thing as more expensive ones, the difference has to come from somewhere else. The price difference often comes from the factors named above. You pay less, but you get a machine that doesn’t feel and work as nicely and doesn’t last as long as the more expensive models. That’s a generalization but is true for the vast majority of rowers.
Magnetic resistance does feel a bit different than air or water types. The air/water resistance rowers feel more natural and can provide more resistance if pushed hard which is why they are more popular with many professional athletes but also home gym owners. They do cost more though.
Cheap rowing machines are worth their money since they can provide a workout that’s 95% the same as a more expensive model. However, you can’t expect them to last as long and work as smoothly and quietly.
What you can expect for your money
When you spend big money, you want to be sure that you get something good. So here is a generalization of what you can expect in a certain price range so you can make the right choice for you.
Let’s look at four different price points;
Like in the chart above, all the prices are listed MSRP prices without shipping, handling and accessories.
- $100 – $300
- $300- $600
- $600- $1000
- $1000+
Since were looking at price points and the different types of rowers, you can expect different things from the different types at the same price.
Read more about the differences between the resistance types in this post (click)
That’s why I’ll mention all the different types at every price point because what you can expect from them at that price is different.
$100 – $300
In this price range you can mainly get hydraulic rowers. Almost all the hydraulic resistance type rowers fit into this category. There is still a big difference between one that costs $100 and one that costs $300. For $100 you can get a hydraulic rower that’s not too sturdy, doesn’t move very smoothly or naturally.
For $200 and more, you can expect one with a much stronger/sturdier frame, better moving parts, more adjustability. Some of the more expensive models have separate handles for each arm so you don’t develop any muscle imbalances. That’s a unique feature among rowing machines.
Above +-$250 you can get into the low end of magnetic and air rowers. I wouldn’t recommend any of those in this price range though. They don’t feel that great to use and the frames are often not very sturdy. If you want an air or magnetic rower, it’s better to spend a little more.
All water rowers are more expensive than this.
$300 – $600
Some of the better hydraulic rowers with separate handles for each arm are in this category. However, I’d only get those if you need something small.
That’s because you can also get a great magnetic rower or an entry level air rower.
Most of the magnetic rowers are in this price range and there are some good models in there. At the upper end of this range, you can get a really good one with sturdy frame, good warranty and good feel.
Another option is to get a lower end air rower. In this price range, you won’t get the best but it’s possible to find a good entry level one. If you decide to get an air rower in this range, it’s not a guarantee you’ll get something good. There are good ones, but also not so good ones so make sure to check reviews and try it for yourself if you can.
Water rowers are not available in this price range.
$600 – $1000
Here, you can expect a good water rower in this price range although the good ones will be closer to $1000 than $600.
Good air rowers and great magnetic rowers are common in this category. You can get the most popular and well respected air rower (Concept2 Model D) for this amount of money.
For less than the model D you can also get the best magnetic rowers with large information displays, good support, warranty and quality. What’s better for you is personal preference.
No hydraulic rowers cost this much.
Most people will be best off shopping in this price category.
$1000+
This is where you can get the best of the best. The best water rowers are about $1500+ but you can get a good one for $1000. For the extra money, you get better displays, connectivity and mostly design/material use. The most expensive water rowers look more like expensive furniture than workout equipment. If that’s what you want, you’ll have to pay for it.
However, for ‘just’ $1000 you can get a great water rower that is very close to the more expensive ones.
This is also the price range where you can get the best air and air + magnetic rowers. Super smooth and natural feeling machines that come with the best warranty, sturdiest frames and most informative displays. There isn’t really anything else you could wish for if you’re shopping in this category.
If you’re looking for a good rower for your home gym, click here to find my favorite and why it is my favorite for home gyms.
Favorite Cardio Machine Accessories
Check out these accessories that improve a home cardio workout:
- Equipment mat: All cardio equipment should be put on an equipment mat. The Rubber-Cal mat (Amazon) is an affordable yet very high quality choice.
- Interval timer: To time your intervals and workouts, there is no better choice than the GymNext Flex. It’s super easy to use and set up with a phone app.
- Tablet holder: Cardio can be boring. With this tablet holder (Amazon) you can follow along with on-demand workouts or just watch a movie on any cardio machine.
- Heart rate monitor: Monitoring your heart rate is very important while doing cardio. The Polar H10 (Amazon) connects to almost anything you can imagine and is very accurate.
To find which cardio machines I recommend for home gyms, click here.
Related questions
Is it worth buying a rower? Yes, rowers are a great way to get into shape. The movement uses the whole body but the smoothness of the motion means the impact on the joints is very low. Of course it all depends on if you’re going to use it or not.
Is Concept2 worth the money? Yes, they are very high quality rowers that have a huge group of fans. Many professional rowers use their machines to stay in shape in the off season and the second hand prices are quite high so you don’t lose much money.
