Best Rowing Machines and Home Gyms of 2026: 4 Picks for Cardio and Strength

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The best rowing machines and home gyms cover two different goals. A rower gives you low-impact, full-body cardio that works your legs, core and back in one motion. An all-in-one home gym gives you strength training, from squats and presses to cable rows, without a gym membership. This list includes two of each, so start by deciding whether cardio or strength is your main goal. Our picks are based on manufacturer specs and documentation, warranty terms, independent review consensus and owner-feedback patterns, not on in-house trials.

Quick picks

Product	Best for	Our verdict	Typical price
Concept2 RowErg	Rowing workouts	Buy	about $1,000–$1,200
Force USA G3 All-in-One Trainer	Full gym at home	Buy	about $2,200–$3,000
Hydrow Wave Rowing Machine	Guided rowing	Consider	about $1,500–$2,000
Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE Home Gym	All-in-one without weights	Consider	about $1,300–$1,800

Prices change often, and big equipment may add delivery fees, so check the current price before you buy.

The best rowing machines and home gyms in 2026

The Concept2 RowErg is the rowing machine you will find in gyms, CrossFit boxes and indoor rowing competitions, and that reputation is earned. It is extremely durable, built to take years of daily use, and its performance monitor is accurate and consistent. That consistency matters more than it sounds: your numbers at home compare fairly with numbers on a RowErg anywhere else, which makes it easy to track progress or follow training plans built around it. When you are done, it stores upright, so it takes up less floor space between workouts.

Resistance comes from a fan, which means the harder you pull, the more resistance you feel. That natural feel is a big part of why rowers like it. A damper lever lets you change how heavy each stroke feels, and because the machine is so widely used, you will find free workouts, training plans and technique videos built around it.

The trade-offs are noise and screens. The fan is loud, which may bother people in apartments or anyone working out early while others sleep. The display is basic, and there are no built-in on-screen classes. If you want instructor-led workouts on a big screen, the Hydrow Wave Rowing Machine is the better fit. If you want a rower that will outlast almost anything else in your home, buy the Concept2.

The Force USA G3 All-in-One Trainer turns one footprint into a full gym. It combines a power rack, a cable system and a Smith machine, so you can squat, bench, deadlift, do pull-ups and run a long list of cable exercises like rows, pulldowns and triceps pushdowns. For people serious about strength training, that range of exercises is hard to match without a commercial gym, and the strong build suits heavy lifting.

The trade-offs are space and extra cost. It is big, so you need a room with enough floor space and ceiling height for the rack and for overhead moves like pull-ups. It also needs weight plates, plus a barbell and bench if you do not already own them, which adds meaningfully to the roughly $2,200–$3,000 price. Skip it if you have a low ceiling or a small room. If you want strength training without loading plates, the Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE Home Gym is simpler.

The Hydrow Wave Rowing Machine is built around immersive on-water classes. Instead of staring at numbers, you row along with instructors filmed on real rivers and lakes, which many people find more motivating than a plain monitor. Magnetic resistance keeps it quiet, a big advantage over fan rowers in apartments or shared homes, and its compact size suits smaller rooms.

It lands in our consider tier because a membership is required to get the most from it. The classes are the point, and without a subscription you lose much of what you paid for. At about $1,500–$2,000, plus the ongoing membership, it costs more over time than the Concept2 RowErg. If you do not want a membership, skip it. If classes are what keep you exercising, the Hydrow is worth considering.

The Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE Home Gym gives you a full-body machine without loose weight plates. It uses Bowflex’s power-rod resistance, flexible rods that bend as you pull, and supports more than 70 exercises for the chest, back, arms, shoulders, legs and core. It is compact for what it does, and with no plates to load or store it is tidier and quicker to switch between exercises.

It is a consider pick because resistance feels different from free weights. Power rods get harder as they bend further, which some people like and others find unnatural, and it is not designed for very heavy lifting. If you lift very heavy or want barbell training, the Force USA G3 All-in-One Trainer is the right tool. If you want general strength and muscle tone without the clutter of plates, the Bowflex at about $1,300–$1,800 makes sense.

How to choose rowing machines and home gyms

Big fitness equipment is a large investment that is hard to return, so think through these points before you buy.

Cardio or strength

• If you want low-impact cardio that works your whole body, buy a rower like the Concept2 RowErg.
• If you want classes to keep you motivated, consider the Hydrow Wave Rowing Machine.
• If you want heavy strength training, buy the Force USA G3 All-in-One Trainer.
• If you want strength training without weight plates, consider the Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE Home Gym.

Many people eventually want both cardio and strength. If budget allows only one purchase, pick the one you are most likely to use several times a week.

Space and ceiling height

Measure before you buy. Rowers are long, but both rowers here have space-saving advantages: the Concept2 stores upright and the Hydrow is compact. The Force USA G3 needs significant floor space and enough ceiling height for the rack and pull-ups. The Bowflex is compact for its exercise range but still needs room around it to move freely. Check each product’s listed dimensions against your room, and leave space to get on and off safely.

Resistance type and noise

Fan resistance, as on the Concept2, feels natural and scales with your effort but is loud. Magnetic resistance, as on the Hydrow, is quiet. Power rods on the Bowflex feel different from weights. Plates on the Force USA give the most familiar gym feel and the heaviest loads. If you share walls or work out early, quieter options matter.

Classes and subscriptions

Built-in classes can be a big motivator, but they add an ongoing cost. The Hydrow requires a membership for its classes. The Concept2 works fully without a subscription, and you can pair it with free or paid third-party apps if you want. Add the subscription to the price when comparing total cost over a few years.

Total cost

The sticker price is only the start. Budget for delivery, assembly if you will not do it yourself, a floor mat and any extras. The Force USA G3 needs plates and likely a barbell and bench. The Hydrow needs a membership. The Concept2 and Bowflex have fewer ongoing costs. You can browse rubber gym floor mats and Olympic weight plate sets to price out the extras.

Learning good technique

Both rowers and strength machines reward good form. On a rower, the stroke order is legs, then body, then arms on the way back, and the reverse on the way forward. A common beginner mistake is pulling mostly with the arms, which tires you out quickly and strains the back. Spend your first few sessions rowing slowly and focusing on the sequence. On the Force USA G3, learn the basic lifts with light loads before adding weight, and use the rack’s safety features every time. The Bowflex is more forgiving, but slow, controlled reps still give better results than rushed ones.

Durability and warranty

This equipment takes a beating, so build quality and warranty terms matter. The Concept2 has a long reputation for durability, and the Force USA G3 has a strong build. Read the warranty terms for the frame, moving parts and electronics, which often differ, and check what in-home service is available where you live.

Frequently asked questions

Is a rowing machine good for a full-body workout?

Yes. Rowing works the legs, core, back and arms in one motion, with most of the power coming from the legs. It is also low impact, so it is easier on the joints than running for many people. It does not replace heavy strength training for building maximum muscle, but as a cardio machine that trains your whole body, it is one of the most efficient options.

Concept2 RowErg or Hydrow Wave: which should I buy?

Choose the Concept2 RowErg if you want a durable, accurate rower with no required subscription and you do not mind fan noise. Choose the Hydrow Wave if guided, scenic classes are what keep you exercising and you want a quieter, compact machine. Remember the Hydrow requires a membership for its classes, which adds to the long-term cost.

Do I need weight plates for the Force USA G3?

Yes. The Force USA G3 All-in-One Trainer uses weight plates for its rack, Smith machine and cable system, and they are not included in the base price. You will also likely want a barbell and an adjustable bench. Budget for these up front, since the extras can add a meaningful amount to the total cost.

Is the Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE good for building muscle?

It is good for general strength and muscle tone, with more than 70 exercises and no weight plates to manage. The power-rod resistance feels different from free weights, getting harder as the rods bend, and it is not designed for very heavy lifting. If your goal is maximum strength or barbell training, a rack-based setup like the Force USA G3 is a better fit.

Will a rowing machine work in an apartment?

It can, with care. The Concept2 is loud because of its fan, which may disturb neighbors or family, especially early or late. The Hydrow Wave uses quiet magnetic resistance and is compact, so it suits apartments better. A thick floor mat helps reduce vibration with either rower. Check your lease or building rules about large exercise equipment before you buy.

The bottom line

The Concept2 RowErg is the best pick here for most people. It is durable, accurate and simple, with no required subscription. If strength training is your priority and you have the space, the Force USA G3 All-in-One Trainer turns one room into a full gym. Consider the Hydrow Wave for guided classes and the Bowflex Xtreme 2 SE if you want strength work without plates.

To round out your home gym, see our picks for the best adjustable dumbbells and best treadmills. Check the current price before you order.

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