Best Mid-Market Rowing Machine 2021

Exercise is an important part of everyone’s life. While not everyone likes going to the gym, it is a popular way to keep or get fit. With Covid19 and lockdowns, it’s been difficult to get to gyms, so many people have turned to working out at home. While it’s relatively easy to do exercises at home, with no or minimal gear, there are some things you just can’t do without a proper exercise machine.

When you think of exercise machines, most people’s first thought would probably be treadmill or home bike. If you want a full-body workout though, one of your best options is a rowing machine. They work your core, arms, back, and legs and are one of the best ways to burn calories fast. Just like other exercise machines though, rowing machines can be very expensive. If you know you like rowing though and have enough money to spare, you may also want to avoid the cheaper budget options though. The mid-market price range offers a good balance between features, durability, and price.

To help you find a good rower in the $500 to $1000 price range, we’ve drawn up a list of the best mid-market rowing machines in 2021.

The Merax Water Rowing Machine is a decent water resistance-based rowing machine. It is built well with a rail 43.3 inches long and can handle users up to 330lbs. To make adjusting the resistance level easier, it comes with a funnel and a siphon to add and remove water respectively. The water tank itself is angled, this is supposed to make the resistance stronger but at low levels may make it uneven.

The large LCD display is easy to read and shows a number of workout stats, but it doesn’t include any smart functionality, so you’d have to have another screen to watch Netflix or a workout video in the background. When not in use, the rowing machine can be stood on its end to reduce its footprint. The water tank is fully integrated and can’t be replaced if damaged, so carefully, check it on delivery and try to protect it from impacts.

The Echelon Smart Rower is a magnetic resistance rower designed for users up to 300lbs. The resistance can be changed with paddles on the handle itself making it easy to switch between the 32 resistance levels as you row. Most users who have reported issues have reported that customer service is slow.

It doesn’t come with any screen by default so there are no stats or even a readout of what resistance level you’re at. It does include a swivelling and tilting phone/tablet holder so you can connect via the app to see stats and content, a version is also available for more money with an included screen. You don’t need a subscription to see basic stats, but the app does push the $39 a month subscription hard.

The Mr. Right Water Rowing Machine follows the design aesthetic of some of the top water rowers for a fraction of the price. It comes with a dustproof cover to keep it clean when not in use and an electric water pump to assist in filling and emptying the water tank. It also features a decently sized LCD screen for workout stats.

The reason that this model is so much cheaper than the top water rowers is that it’s a knockoff. It advertises that it’s made from solid oak, and while it is relatively solidly built, it’s not solid oak, it’s an oak veneer. Part of this seems to be that it’s made by yet another no-name one-product amazon brand. This likely means that you’ll get little to no customer service if you do have any issues. On the other hand, if you don’t have any issues, you get a great-looking rower for much less than a similar alternative would cost.

The Pro-Form 750R Rower costs just shy of $1000 and features a near-silent magnetic resistance system. The main source of noise while using it will be the seat rolling up and down the rail. A 5-inch LCD display shows your stats and built-in buttons allow you to change the resistance. A tablet holder is built into the top of the console. This allows you to watch the trainer videos from the iFit app.

While you do get a free 30-day iFit trial, you need to provide payment details in advance to make use of it. The soft-grip handle is connected to the rower with a 90-inch pull strap so no matter how far you push and lean back, you’ll have more than enough room to row. Wheels at the front make it easy to move and it can also fold away for storage.

That was our round-up of the best mid-market rowing machines in 2021. Have you recently bought a mid-market rowing machine? What sold you on it and what has your experience been with it so far? Let us know down below.