The Best Rowing Machines for Beginners
Your first rower should be easy to set up, simple to use, and forgiving while you learn the stroke. We scored these five on how quickly a beginner can get going and keep going, so starting feels easy rather than intimidating.
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The short version
The Merach Magnetic is the easiest first rower for most people, quiet, affordable, and backed by an app that tracks every session. Want the highest owner rating, go with the NICEDAY Magnetic. Want the cheapest way to try rowing, start with the Stamina Body Trac Glider.
Fast answers
Our picks at a glance
Merach Magnetic Rowing Machine
The easiest first rower for most people
If you have never rowed before, this is the one to start on. The magnetic resistance is quiet and forgiving, so you can focus on the stroke instead of fighting the machine, and the app logs your sessions so you can watch yourself improve. At under 200 dollars with more than 2,000 owner reviews behind it, this is a low risk way to find out you love rowing.
What we liked
- Quiet, forgiving magnetic resistance
- App tracks every session
- Friendly price for a first rower
- More than 2,000 owner reviews
Worth knowing
- Lighter frame than the pricier picks
- Seat padding is on the basic side
Price and availability update on Amazon
NICEDAY Magnetic Rowing Machine
The one beginners rate the highest
This NICEDAY carries the highest owner rating on the page, and for a first rower that counts for a lot. The magnetic pull is smooth and quiet, the controls are simple, and it stays put on the floor while you find your rhythm. A reassuring choice if you want the rower other beginners are happiest with.
What we liked
- Highest owner rating here
- Smooth, quiet magnetic pull
- Simple controls, nothing to learn
- Sturdy 350 lb frame
Worth knowing
- Fewer total reviews than the Merach
- Console covers the basics only
Price and availability update on Amazon
YOSUDA Magnetic Rowing Machine 350 LB
The sturdy, proven choice
With over 2,500 reviews and a heavy 350 lb frame, this YOSUDA is the rower you can buy with the least second guessing. It does not flex or wander across the floor, the magnetic resistance is quiet, and it has one of the longest track records of the flywheel rowers here. Pay a little more and you get a rower that still feels solid once you are past the beginner stage.
What we liked
- Over 2,500 owner reviews
- Heavy, stable 350 lb frame
- Quiet magnetic resistance
- Tablet holder for following along
Worth knowing
- Costs more than the entry picks
- Steady feel rather than dynamic
Price and availability update on Amazon
YOSUDA Magnetic Rowing Machine
Simple to set up and simple to run
This YOSUDA keeps things straightforward, which is exactly what you want early on. Quiet magnetic resistance, a clear display, and a layout with nothing to puzzle over, so the only thing you are learning is the stroke. A clean, no fuss magnetic rower from a brand a lot of first time rowers trust.
What we liked
- Quiet magnetic resistance
- Clear, easy to read display
- Straightforward setup
- Well reviewed by owners
Worth knowing
- Standard frame rather than a heavy one
- Steady pull, not a hard gym workout
Price and availability update on Amazon
Stamina Body Trac Glider 1050
The cheapest way to try rowing
The most reviewed rower on the page by a wide margin, close to 7,000 of them, and the lowest price too. It uses hydraulic pistons rather than a flywheel, so the feel is a little different from a gym rower, but it is light, simple, and almost nothing to set up. As a low cost way to see if rowing sticks, it is hard to argue with.
What we liked
- Nearly 7,000 owner reviews
- Lowest price here
- Light and quick to set up
- Compact, takes up little space
Worth knowing
- Hydraulic feel, not a flywheel
- Not built for hard training
- No app or proper console
Price and availability update on Amazon
Side by side
How they compare
| Rower | Score | Resistance | Capacity | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Merach Magnetic Rower Best Overall | 94 | Magnetic | 350 lb | 4.4 (2,131) | $189 | Amazon › |
NICEDAY Magnetic Rower Highest Rated | 92 | Magnetic | 350 lb | 4.5 (1,107) | $199 | Amazon › |
YOSUDA Magnetic 350 Most Trusted | 90 | Magnetic | 350 lb | 4.4 (2,504) | $329 | Amazon › |
YOSUDA Magnetic Easiest to Use | 88 | Magnetic | Standard | 4.3 (1,912) | $299 | Amazon › |
Stamina Body Trac Glider Simplest Start | 86 | Hydraulic | Standard | 4.3 (6,997) | $169 | Amazon › |
No guesswork
How we score a rowing machine
Every rower runs through the same scorecard, so the numbers mean the same thing across brands and across our guides. We weight the things owners feel day to day, then roll them into one score out of 100. Resistance feel and build carry the most weight, because a rower that feels cheap or wobbles is one you stop using.
Before you buy
How to pick your first rower
Buying your first rower is mostly about picking one that gets out of your way while you learn. Here is what matters when you are starting.
Start with magnetic resistance
For a first rower, magnetic is the easy choice. The resistance is quiet and stays the same no matter how hard you pull, so you can learn the stroke without the machine surging on you. It is also the lowest maintenance type, so there is less to think about while you build the habit. Four of our five picks are magnetic for that reason.
Learn the stroke before the settings
Good rowing is legs first, then back, then arms, and the same order in reverse on the way back. Almost every beginner pulls with the arms too early. Spend your first week getting that sequence smooth at an easy resistance level. The number of levels on the box matters far less than the time you put into the movement.
Pick a rower you can set up
A rower that is a hassle to build or move is a rower you stop using. Look for one that goes together in under an hour and folds or stands upright when you are done. Most picks here do both, and the lighter models are easy to tuck against a wall between sessions.
What you can ignore for now
Touchscreens, big subscription apps, and air resistance built for hard intervals are all things you can grow into later. None of them help you learn to row. To see where the harder options lead, the best air rowers are built for intensity and the best water rowers feel the most natural. On a tight budget, the best budget rowers are nearly all beginner friendly magnetic models.
Quick questions
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