6 Best New Year Rowing Machine Deals—Starting at Just $400

IN CASE you missed it, there's a rowing renaissance underway, powered by folks around the world looking for new ways to work out at home since, let's be real, running and cycling can't be your only options. Indoor rowing machines offer a low-impact way to sweat while getting in a full-body workout, and the good news is spreading fast.

The benefits of rowing are numerous. Hollis Tuttle, CITYROW Go Lead Instructor in New York City previously told Men's Health that it not only adds variation to your workout but can also help you zen out and is a great warm-up and finisher. Plus, thanks to the low-impact nature of the exercise, it's accessible to people of all ages, abilities and fitness levels.

“Indoor rowing is an excellent low-impact option for improving cardiovascular fitness and muscular endurance,” Hollis says. “Since it is a low-impact sport, rowing reduces the risk of damage to weight-bearing joints, such as hips, ankles and knees, which tend to be prone to injury and soreness when doing high-impact sports.”

If you're ready to change up your at-home fitness game, some of the best deals on rowing machines of the year are happening right now. Thanks to the hype around New Year's resolutions, so many brands and retailers (think: NordicTrack, Echelon, and retailers like Walmart) are running serious sales. Plus, already cheap rowing machines like the best-selling are even further discounted, so you can, ahem, sail through your rowing goals without breaking the bank.

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What to Look for

Magnetic rowers: The most common sort, magnetic rowers use magnets to create resistance. They make it easy to switch between preset resistance levels so you can easily manage your workout. Most magnetic rowers are on the quieter side, so if you're still WFH and have others in the space, you don't have to worry about disturbing their focus. These types of machines are becoming super popular because of how little sound they make. Magnetic rowers, even when on sale, tend to be on the pricier side.

Air rowers: You guessed it, air rowers produce resistance using air and a flywheel that turns as you row meaning the faster you row, the more resistance you produce. They tend to have a smooth ride, come in the midrange of pricing and are likely the rowers you've seen at the gym. The flywheel makes noise, so if you're comfortable with a louder workout, it's a great option. The air resistance gets you closer to feeling like you're on the water than a magnetic resistance pick would.

Water rowers: Water rowers provide a natural rowing feel because they use actual water in a tank to produce resistance. Keep in mind that most water rowers won't have those automatic resistance levels you may be used to from other machines. The resistance adjusts based on your movement and how much you're pulling against the water in the tank. It's, again, louder than a magnetic resistance machine since you'll hear the water sloshing around, but it does get you closest to that on the water vibe.

'Nuff said—time to get to the good part. Ahead, the 15 best deals on rowing machines available right now.