Home Compact Rowing Machine Reviews 2022 – Buyers Guide

In this article, we’ll review some of the best compact rowing machines currently available on the market.

The rowing machines listed here are handpicked based on affordability, durability, size, effectiveness, and quality.

While there are plenty of rowing machines out there, we will only focus on the compact option. That means you can expect to find space-saving models that will fit into a small space, whether you live in an apartment or home.

What are Compact Rowing Machines?

Home compact rowing machines are designed to mimic rowing on the water. These machines are known to be effective for toning and strengthening the muscles. They can also be used to increase cardiovascular fitness and metabolism. Meaning, they are great for helping you achieve your weight loss and general fitness goals.

Compact rowing machines are a lot lighter and smaller than the typical rowing machine found in most gyms. Most of these rowers are pushed by adjustable hydraulic pistons, thanks to the rower’s arms.

A compact rowing machine is the perfect exercise machine to tone muscle and burn calories indoors. Due to their design, they can offer a great workout for your lower body, upper body, as well as your core muscle.

Each compact rowing machine comes with unique qualities and features that can also influence the machine’s price. While compact rowing machines might be at the low price end, they should not be discounted.

Before getting into the best home compact rowing machines to buy, here are some of the benefits of using these portable home rowers.

Benefits of Compact Rowing Machines

Home compact rowing machines are extremely effective at raising the heart rate. This reason alone makes it one of the best exercise machines to get for cardio.

Unlike the treadmill, which only works the lower body, a compact rowing machine engages both the lower and upper body as well as the core muscles. This means that you expend a lot more energy compared to your average treadmill. In other words, working out on a rowing machine can result in burning comparably more calories than exercising on a treadmill.

On some compact rowing machines models, you can raise the intensity levels by simply adjusting the degree on the incline. On other models, you can adjust the hydraulic intensity levels.

A typical compact rowing machine makes a great buy, considering how small it is and how much it can deliver. It is definitely a fantastic piece of exercise equipment for anyone looking to achieve and maintain their fitness goals while working out at home.

Home Compact Rowing Machines are Inexpensive

Home compact rowing machines are one of the cheapest exercise machines you can buy. It is important to understand that being inexpensive doesn’t mean low quality.

The difference in price between typical rowers and home compact rowing machines is because the latter has a smaller footprint, coupled with other features that might not be present in typical rowers.

Row Regardless of the Weather

For some people, bad weather can put a damper on their ability to exercise, especially when they have to leave home and head for the gym in inclement weather conditions. With the home compact rowing machine, the weather becomes a non-issue as you can simply get on your rowing machine and exercise as much or as little as you want.

Space Saving

The rowers on this list stick to their name: they are home compact rowing machines and that means some of them have foldable rowing arms that let you move them from one room to another easily. They can also be conveniently stored away under a bed, in a closet, or behind a piece of furniture.

Low Noise

By design, home compact rowing machines are quiet during operation. This makes them perfect for people who live in an apartment or tend to work out at a time where any noise can be potentially disturbing to others. It is even possible to watch some TV while using some models.

Little to No Impact Exercises

If you are searching for a low-impact muscle toning and cardio machine, then a home compact rowing machine is what you need. It offers seamless gliding motions for both your legs and arms while ensuring your joints aren’t impacted.

Multiple Intensity Levels

Home compact rowing machines allow users to easily adjust the resistance to their desired level. Some compact rowing machines come with 12 resistance levels, providing a wider intensity range. This easily translates to a flexible workout.

No Need for Additional Weights

Since home compact rowing machines use hydraulic cylinders and pistons to develop the tension required during workouts, there really is no need for additional weights. This is especially true when you consider that the intensity levels can be easily adjusted using a control knob or a wheel.

Muscle Toning

Home compact rowing machines can be a great way to engage the muscles in your lower and upper body using resistance exercises. This results in more muscle activation and causes your muscles to be a lot more toned compared to other exercises.

Effective for Cardio Exercises

These machines present a great option for those looking to lose weight and burn calories quickly. In this regard, they are a lot more effective than the average treadmill, with these rowing machines burning a lot more calories.

The Top 5 Home Compact Rowing Machines

Here is a quick overview of all the best home compact rowing machines in 2022. All rowers in this list use hydraulic resistance.

1. Stamina BodyTrac Glider 1050 Hydraulic Compact Rower

  • REAL-WORLD ROWING FEEL: The full-motion rowing arms on the Stamina BodyTrac Glider 1050 provide a natural rowing movement, helping you realize the proven benefits that rowing provides for the entire body. Aids in burning calories, improving cardiovascular function and strengthening major muscle groups.
  • SET YOUR RESISTANCE: Adjust the hydraulic cylinder resistance to match your desired workout intensity level.
  • TRACK YOUR PROGRESS: The multi-functional LCD monitor displays current workout time, stroke count, calories burned and total stroke count. SCAN mode cycles through each of these metrics in real time.
  • SMART FITNESS APP INCLUDED W/ PURCHASE: This product is fully supported by müüv, the all-in-one workout app that offers personalized training, a follow-along assembly video, and custom workouts tailored to your fitness goals using the equipment you own. No subscription required.
  • COMFORTABLE AND SPACE-SAVING: This compact yet full-featured Rower is outfitted with a smooth ball-bearing roller system, comfortable molded seat, textured footplates with straps and foam padded hand grips. After you’re done exercising, the full-motion arms fold into the frame to save you storage space.

The Stamina BodyTrac Glider 1050 is a home compact rowing machine built on an aluminum rowing beam and durable steel frame. For easy transport, the rower weighs just 39 pounds.

This model offers a great workout and optimum mobility, thanks to its full range of rowing arms. BodyTrac Glider 1050 is perfect for those who live in homes where noise can be a concern. The machine is so quiet that it is possible to work out with it while watching TV.

With this compact rowing machine, you get pivoting footplates as well as adjustable straps to ensure your feet remain securely positioned.

2. Stamina 1215 Orbital Rower with Free Motion Arms

  • SIMULATE REAL-WORLD ROWING: The Stamina 1215 provides the calorie-burning, strength-enhancing, heart health-boosting workout you desire in the comfort of home. The unique free motion rowing arms are designed to simulate the feel of rowing on an actual body of water.
  • OTHER PERFORMANCE FEATURES: Turn the tension dial to set your resistance level on the smooth, quiet hydraulic-powered system. Keep track of your workout metrics on the large, easy-to-read LCD monitor, including time, distance, speed, calories burned and stroke count.
  • SMART FITNESS APP INCLUDED W/ PURCHASE: This product is fully supported by müüv, the all-in-one workout app that offers personalized training, a follow-along assembly video, and custom workouts tailored to your fitness goals using the equipment you own. No subscription required.
  • BUILT FOR COMFORT: The 1215 Rower includes a cushioned & comfortable seat, padded handlebars and pivoting foot plates with adjustable straps.
  • SPECIFICATIONS: Product weight: 52 lbs.; Maximum user weight: 250 lbs.; Dimensions: 50″ L x 33″ W x 31″ H.

The Stamina 1215 Home Compact Rowing machine has a unique design. Its free motion arms are constructed to closely resemble the smooth rowing motion on the water. It also helps that the rowing arms have foam-padded grips for non-slip operation and comfort.

The rowing machine has a well-padded seat that glides on a ball-bearing roller system for quiet and smooth operation.

There is also a multifunctional fitness monitor that helps you remain motivated while working out. You can easily see your speed, progress, time, and distance on the monitor. Other important information displayed on the monitor includes calories burned and stroke count.

The monitor can be placed into scan mode to show all the important functions scrolling across the screen for a few seconds.

Constructed using a steel frame and lightweight aluminum center beam, this is a durable home compact rowing machine that will be useful for years to come.

3. Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5639 Full Motion Indoor Rowing Machine

  • Extended weight capacity of 350 lb.
  • 12 Levels of adjustable resistance
  • Full motion arms allows for larger range of motions for the shoulders
  • Fully padded seat and non-slip grip handlebars provide optimal comfort and support
  • Large anti-slip foot pedals with adjustable foot straps for secure footing

The Sunny SF-RW5639 Full Motion Home Compact Rowing Machine brings together quality fitness at an affordable price.

It is designed with a high-quality steel frame and can support a maximum weight of 350 lbs. It is strong enough to handle just about any weight class and the roughest of workouts.

4. Fitbill with Bluetooth & Workout App

The Fitbill Home Compact Rowing Machine is extremely lightweight and portable. It is also one of the earliest to offer a companion app that enables users to track and monitor their workouts.

With the app, users can use the virtual trainer that offers a step-by-step guide on how to attain their fitness goals and remain motivated. The app also lets you create a customized program while tracking your progress.

The Fitbill weighs only 32 pounds, making it one of the lightest home compact rowing machines on the market. It also means that moving it from one room to another in your home won’t put too much strain on your back.

5. Stamina 1110 with Magnetic Resistance Handlebar

The Stamina 1110 Home Compact Rowing Machine is considerably different from the other options on this list. It is a magnetic handlebar indoor rower. And while it is compact, it still houses a few of the features typically found on the larger rowing machines.

One major difference with this rowing machine is the handlebar. It uses a short handlebar or crossbar, which is a lot different from the free motion arms found on the home compact rowing machines on this list. This feature is similar to the motion used in most gyms.

Another difference is that it uses magnetic tension instead of hydraulic resistance. Although the tension technology is different, it still offers a quiet and smooth operation. This model comes with 8 magnetic tension levels, which can be adjusted down or up using the basic rotating knob.

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