The Greatest Compact Rowing Machines for Small Areas in 2025

If you happen to’re restricted on house, don’t let the size of a rowing machine deter you. Whereas there are a lot of nice rowing machines in the marketplace, there are additionally some superior compact alternate options that supply all the identical tech options you’ll discover in different cardio machines. 

Throughout our seek for one of the best compact rowing machine, we discovered an array of fantastic standalone choices and choices that slot in nicely with different top-rated home gym equipment. We thought-about the general footprint and different key options, and scoured the critiques to see what customers needed to say about every product. Beneath is our checklist of one of the best compact residence rowing machines obtainable.

How We Selected the Greatest Compact Rowing Machines

The rowing machines included on this checklist have been rigorously chosen based mostly on what most customers would need out of a rowing machine, holding in thoughts that they wanted to have a smaller footprint and folding or upright storage choices. We evaluated every alternative based mostly on measurement, portability, price, high-tech options, versatility, and sturdiness. We additionally scoured the critiques to see what customers needed to say about every rowing machine.

Our Picks for the Greatest Compact Rowing Machines in 2025:

Greatest General Compact Rowing Machine: Hydrow Wave

On the Hydrow web site, the Hydrow Wave is rated 4.6/5 stars with over 9,000 critiques on the time of writing. It’s the model’s compact, budget-friendly choice for many who wish to elevate their at-home workout routine. The size is simply 80 inches, which is the shortest on this checklist, and the general measurement is 30 % shorter than the unique Hydrow Rower. You can not fold it, however there may be the choice to retailer it upright utilizing The Hydrow Wave Vertical Anchor. This can be a wall-mounted strap that holds the rower upright. It prices an extra $190, which is a bit on the expensive facet.

The body is manufactured from aluminum and metal. It has a flat anthracite polymer physique, which is a sturdy and light-weight materials. The deal with has an ergonomic design for a low-stress grip, and the strap is produced from water- and rot-resistant polyester webbing. It additionally has a patented electromagnetic drag system that mimics the expertise of rowing on open water.

General, the critiques on the Hydrow web site are optimistic, and plenty of point out how quiet the machine is and the way a lot they just like the small footprint. One overview says, “The machine is such nice high quality. It’s quiet and modern wanting.” The vital critiques make up 3 % of the general critiques and state points like non-working components being delivered. Nonetheless, Hydrow has responded to every overview to resolve any points.

Greatest Compact Rowing Machine With Coach-Led Exercises: NordicTrack RW700

NordicTrack RW700

4.2

• Dimension: 87″ L x 22″ W x 47″ H
• Kind of Resistance: Magnetic
• Subscription: Not required; suitable iFIT membership is $39/month
• Storage: May be moved utilizing the entrance wheels
• Weight Restrict: 250 kilos

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The NordicTrack RW700 has a 10-inch HD touchscreen you may tilt and pivot to observe together with an iFIT exercise led by your favourite coach on or off the rower. An iFIT subscription is $39 monthly, and also you’ll have entry to dwell and on-demand lessons. Membership to the fitness app isn’t required to make use of the rower; nevertheless, you gained’t have entry to trainer-led lessons with out it.

A trainer-led rowing exercise offers you the choice to row on the open water for a extra scenic expertise, and there are additionally studio classes. The resistance is adjusted mechanically amongst 26 resistance ranges throughout every class, so that you don’t want to fret about stopping to make adjustments. The outsized foot pedals have adjustable nylon foot straps with fast launch, which is superb for many who wish to incorporate actions off the rower into their exercise.

The rail is 87 inches lengthy and produced from sturdy metal. It has an inertia-enhanced flywheel, so it ought to keep a easy rotation. If in case you have a shared house, the NordicTrack RW700 rower has a magnetic resistance system that creates rigidity in opposition to the flywheel with out touching, making it a quieter choice. After your exercise, this magnetic rowing machine will be moved utilizing the entrance wheels, however it could possibly’t be folded.

Greatest Foldable Compact Rowing Machine: ProForm Professional R10

ProForm Pro R10

4.0

• Dimensions: 86.5″ L x 22″ W x 45.5″ H
• Kind of Resistance: Magnetic
• Subscription: Not required; suitable iFIT subscription is $39/month
• Storage: Folding
• Weight Restrict: 250 kilos

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The ProForm Professional R10 can collapse right into a extra compact measurement by lifting the deal with, and the front-mounted transport wheels make it straightforward to maneuver. It comes outfitted with a 10-inch HD touchscreen you should utilize for iFIT exercises should you select to subscribe, or you may monitor your watts, energy burned, time, strokes, and distance within the guide mode. There are 24 resistance ranges to select from, and your exercise depth is adjusted utilizing the model’s trademarked Silent Magnetic Resistance system. This provides the person the choice to have a extra cardio- or strength-focused exercise.

The flywheel has been designed to take care of inertia and rotate easily, and the metal rail is outsized to assist hold you secure. The big, pivoting foot pedals with adjustable nylon straps hold your toes in place, and the seat is molded with consolation in thoughts.

Greatest Compact Rowing Machine for Cross-Coaching: Echelon Row-s

Echelon Row-s

4.2

• Dimensions: 84″ L x 21″ W x 47″ H
• Kind of Resistance: Magnetic
• Subscription: Not required; Echelon Match subscription is $35/month
• Storage: Folding
• Weight Restrict: 300 kilos

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If you happen to like to include different actions into your rowing exercise or prepare off of the rower, the Echelon Row-s has a 22-inch HD touchscreen that may be flipped 180 levels. Whereas an Echelon Match subscription isn’t required, the additional $35/month exercise app offers you entry to over 40 dwell lessons and greater than 1,000 on-demand exercises from its library, together with rowing, biking, operating, and purposeful coaching lessons.

The ergonomic design of the seat and the flexibility to regulate the foot platforms to a cushty place show you how to keep correct posture and alignment. If you happen to’re brief on house, the size goes from 84 inches lengthy to only 41 inches lengthy when folded. On the Echelon web site, this rower is rated 4.6/5 stars. “The machine appears to be like nice, operates very quietly, and provides a nice exercise irrespective of your stage,” says reviewer Brett P.

Greatest Worth Compact Rowing Machine: NordicTrack RW600

NordicTrack RW600

Dimensions: 87.02″ L x 22.0″ W x 47.24″ H

Storage: Folds in half for vertical storage

Resistance: Air and magnetic

Weight capability: 250 kilos

Show: 10-inch sensible HD touchscreen

Obtainable programming: Dwell and on-demand exercises, scenic rows

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The NordicTrack RW600 balances nice tech options and an accessible value, making it an ideal worth. The ten-inch display is a superb choice for many who wish to take instructor-led lessons utilizing an iFIT membership. NordicTrack’s patented Silent Magnetic Resistance will be adjusted as much as 26 ranges mechanically in an iFIT class or manually as wanted.

The pivoting foot pedals are outsized, and the nylon straps hold your toes safe. The handlebar has a tender grip, and the molded seat is designed that can assist you really feel comfy. When your exercise is completed, the NordicTrack RW600 will be folded and saved out of the best way.

How one can Select the Greatest Compact Rowing Machine for You

What components must you contemplate earlier than you pull the set off on a rower? Right here’s what we’d advocate you bear in mind as you ponder your buy determination:

Footprint

When you’ve determined in your rower location, it’s a good suggestion to measure the size, width, and peak of your house to find out what measurement machine works finest. You’ll wish to measure peak to see when you’ve got sufficient clearance for rowers to be saved upright.

Price range

After measuring, take into consideration how a lot you’re keen to spend. Consider any extra prices equivalent to a month-to-month subscription. Some rowers even have add-ons for buy, equivalent to a lumbar assist system or seat improve.

Options

Ask your self: What number of ranges of resistance do I would like? Am I on the lookout for an HD touchscreen with trainer-led lessons or do I want a extra simplistic show? Different options equivalent to a magnetic resistance system could also be necessary should you’re in a shared house and want a quieter machine. The rower’s most peak and/or weight capability can also play a job in your determination as nicely.

Advantages of a Rowing Exercise

Rowing means that you can implement low-impact, cardio-based coaching, and you’ll modify the resistance for a strength-focused session. It’s a full-body exercise that makes use of 86 percent of your muscles. With every stroke, you’re utilizing your core and legs for the preliminary pull and ending the rowing motion through the use of your higher physique. Because you’re in a seated place, there’s much less strain in your knee and ankle joints.

Getting all 4 kinds of train (endurance, power, steadiness, and suppleness) has advantages, according to The National Institute of Health (NIH). A rowing machine will be utilized for 2 sorts: endurance and power. Many rowing machines have built-in packages or subscriptions that supply lessons geared towards constructing power and endurance.

Ultimate Ideas

Rowing is a good way to construct power and endurance whereas working varied muscle teams. There are decisions to swimsuit quite a lot of budgets with totally different storage choices and sizes. Determining how a lot house you might have, your value vary and the options you’d like will show you how to select one of the best compact rowing machine for you.

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