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By Patricia Carswell , Morgan Bailee Boggess McCoy published 2 January 22

With these rowing machines on sale, you can start the new year out right without shelling out too much money.

Having a fully stocked home gym won't be a problem this year when you purchase one of these rowing machines on sale. We've put together a list of some of the best rowing machines on the market that are reduced in price and in stock! But, before you make the investment, you need to learn a little bit about what a great rowing machine can do for you.

No matter whether you're a seasoned athlete or a newbie in the fitness world, using a rowing machine is one of the best ways to get a comprehensive workout. Rowing helps you to build muscle in all areas of your body, including your legs, back and core, without having to do complex movements. This is a great way to lose weight, especially if you don't like to work out on multiple machines. So, not only is rowing a good workout, it's also one that works for all types of bodies. 

The rowing machines on the market right now offer all kinds of high-tech features, including a built-in computer that gives you access to fitness classes, and training and coaching programs. Many brands have their own programs that you can purchase, so you don't have to worry about sourcing your own.

Consider comfort when you are picking out your machine as well. You don't want to purchase a machine online, only to have it arrive and not fit your preferences. With so many options, sorting through them can be a challenge. 

Luckily, Live Science has spent hours searching the web for great rowing machine deals so you don't have to. Brands like NordicTrack, Hydrow, ProForm and more are slashing the prices of their most popular machines right now, so don't miss the opportunity to grab one for a great deal. We've found the best machines for the best prices, and keep track of what's in stock. 

Looking for more great deals from your favorite retailers? Check out these deals below:

ProForm 440R Rower – was $799.99, now $329.99 at Best Buy Featuring eight resistance levels and an intertia-enhanced flywheel, the ProForm 440R Rower also uses a SpaceSaver design that lets you fold up your rowing machine quickly and easily. Plus, it has front-mounted transport wheels, so it can be swiftly moved around as well. 

Hydrow Connected Rower - was $2454.96, now $2,140.96 at Best Buy Save $314 on the Hydrow Connected Rower, one of the most advanced machines on the market. It connects to live and on-demand classes led by world-class athletes, and offers routines across yoga, stretching and resistance training for a totally holistic workout. 

SNODE Water Rowing Machine - was $499.99, now $459 at Amazon Save $40 on this water rowing machine which pairs with a Bluetooth app for trainer-led workout videos. This sturdy machine simulates real rowing on water and when not in use folds away easily, saving on space. 

MaxKare Water Rowing Machine - was $919.99, now $539.99 at Walmart Save $380 on this superb water rowing machine. The 18L water tank creates a smooth and steady rowing sensation, while the large LCD monitor tracks useful fitness metrics. 

ProForm 750R - was $1099.99, now $599.99 at Best Buy Save $500 on this high-end rowing machine from ProForm. The 750R is Bluetooth Smart Enabled and pairs with iFit, ProForm's virtual training service (account required). It comes with 20 on-board workouts and 24 levels of resistance as well as a comfy ergonomic seat and pedals.

MaxKare Water Rower Rowing Machine - was $629.99, now $379.99 at Walmart Save $250 on this water rower from MaxKare. Durable and comfortable, this rowing machine provides unlimited resistance from its water drum. An LCD monitor lets you track your workout and when not in use, the machine can be stowed away. 

NordicTrack RW500 – was $999.99, now $799.99 at Best Buy This rowing machine from NordicTrack features a five-inch backlit display to help you keep track of workout stats including watts, strokes per minute, time, calories, distance and more – perfect for measuring your workouts. 

First Degree Fitness Viking II Black Reserve - was  $1,669.99, now $1,049.99 at Walmart This stylish rowing machine features a twin water tank with two triple-bladed impellers for a smooth resistance. The ergonomic handles a help prevent twisting and straining the wrists and forearms. Plus, the LED display shows a plethora of stats, including time, distance and calories burned per hour. 

XtremepowerUS Ultra Quiet Magnetic - was $699.95, now $209.95 at Walmart This ultra-quiet rowing machine will give you a great aerobic workout for legs, waist, upper body, chest and back. It features 10 levels of magnetic resistance, an LCD display with a scan mode that tracks your progress, and the whole machine folds easily away to save on space.

Sunny Health & Fitness Rowing Machine -  was $99.95, now $87.54 at Walmart This compact rowing machine provides all the benefits of a rowing workout from the comfort of your own home. It features a smooth glide seat and 12 levels of resistance variations.

Stamina Products Avari Magnetic Rower -  was $907.49, now $724.99 at Target Save 20% on this versatile magnetic rower at Target. Enjoy 12 workout programs and 6 cardio profiles, a built-in LCD touchscreen to monitor your progress and a comfortable molded sat and a smooth, gliding movement.

Stamina BodyTrac Fitness Rower - was $241.99, now $209.99 at Target Grab this fitness rower for 13% off at Target and enjoy an affordable and effective rowing machine. It provides a full range of motion, comfortable padded seats and handles, and a multifunctional electronic monitor to track your progress. 

Doufit Folding Magnetic Rowing Machine - was $299.99, now $209.99 at Walmart Save nearly $100 on this Doufit magnetic rowing machine at Walmart. It features 8 resistance settings, and LCD monitor to track your progress, and when not in use the machine folds away neatly to save space. 

When researching rowing machines on sale, you’ll soon discover that there are three types of machine:

The first type of rower is one with air resistance. These use a flywheel to power the workout. The drawback is they tend to be noisy, but serious rowers favor these models. Water-based rowing machines give a very smooth workout. They work by using water in an attached tank as resistance when you start rowing. These machines can often be a little more aesthetically pleasing than other models.

If you’re after an entry-level rowing machine, magnetic-based rowers are a good option, and quiet, too. Magnetic rowers allow you to increase the resistance of your workout, making it harder or easier. You might also want to consider how much space you have to house your rower, and if you want to pay a monthly subscription to access classes. Some rowers are foldable meaning you can store them under a sofa or in a cupboard.

Most rowing machines deals that have a monthly subscription, also have a touchscreen so you can be motivated by the online classes. It can be really useful, but bear in mind this often adds an extra cost to your workout routine. 

Resistance: Air | Dimensions: L 96” (244cm) / W 24” (61cm) / H 50” (127cm) | Weight of machine: 57lb (26kg) | Storage: Splits in two parts, both of which stand up | Membership subscription: No

The Concept2 RowErg deserves its reputation as one of the best rowing machines on the market. Solidly built and designed to last a lifetime, it’s backed up by a ready supply of spare parts and outstanding customer support that will enable you to carry on using it for years.

The PM5 monitor may not have sophisticated graphics, and it doesn’t come with fancy software or an online program, but it provides a huge amount of useful data, which syncs with the Concept2 logbook. New models feature a device holder so you can attach your phone or tablet, and it syncs with its own ErgData app.

The Concept2 RowErg is designed for function over form, so it’s not the prettiest rowing machine out there, but it’s easy to assemble and comes apart for easy storage. Compared with other air resistance models it’s relatively quiet, so you won’t get complaints from the neighbors.

Resistance: Water | Dimensions: L 83.5” (212cm); W 22.25” (57cm); H 20” (51cm) | Weight of machine: 98lb (44.5kg) when filled with water | Storage: Can be placed upright | Membership subscription: No

If you want a machine with wow factor that looks fabulous in your living room, this is the one for you. The combination of the drum filled with water and the sleek wooden design means it’s a seriously good-looking machine (some of the more expensive, solid wood WaterRower models are even more chic).

WaterRower aims to recreate the experience of rowing on the water, and although serious rowers might challenge this, there’s no denying that it provides a comfortable, smooth row, and its fans rave about the signature whooshing sound it makes.

The downside of the water resistance is that you can’t adjust the resistance as you can with air and magnetic rowers. It also means the machine is heavy, which may be a factor for home use. The monitor is pretty basic, so if it’s whizzy graphics or serious data you’re after, this may not be the machine for you.

Resistance: Electromagnetic | Dimensions: L 86” (218cm); W 25” (63.5cm); H 47” (119cm) | Weight of machine: 145lb (65.8kg) | Storage: Can be placed upright but requires storage kit, purchased separately | Membership subscription: Yes

This is an ultra-modern, top-of-the-range machine. The first thing you’ll notice is the 22” touchscreen, which has a superb, high-definition display. This is the whole point of the Hydrow - it’s all about interactivity so you can participate in live classes as well as accessing hundreds of pre-recorded online sessions.

Hydrow is another to assert that the feel of its machine, with its computer-controlled electromagnetic resistance, is the closest you can get to rowing on the water. Again, not everyone agrees with this claim, but it does produce a smooth, gliding action and it’s one of the quietest rowing machines. One minor niggle is that to stand it up for storage, you need to purchase a storage kit separately.

The big downside is the price. Not only is the machine itself pricey, but to access all its features, you need to sign up for a membership subscription. If you love the idea of a community and get a kick out of the graphics, then it might be worth the investment, but you can get a good workout for less.

Best value interactive rowing machine

Resistance: Dual air and silent magnetic resistance | Dimensions: L 86.5” (220cm); W 22” (56cm); H 47.1” (120cm) | Weight of machine: 97lb (44kg) | Storage: Folds up for storage | Membership subscription: Yes

As you might expect from a rowing machine made by a company that specializes in a range of fitness machines, the interactive program that comes with your membership subscription isn’t confined to rowing - you get access to everything from yoga to strength training in addition to indoor rowing sessions led by elite rowers. The machine itself is pretty good value but the membership subscription isn’t cheap unless you’re participating in several classes a week.

The unusual hybrid resistance system means that you can stick to the silent magnetic resistance if you need to keep the sound low, or add intensity with the air resistance. It can even be adjusted by the instructor during live sessions.

Although the machine is workmanlike in appearance (apart from the screen which is nicely designed) and is quite heavy, it does have the advantage of folding away for easy storage.

Best for a tight budget

Resistance: Magnetic resistance | Dimensions: L 78” (198cm); W 19.1” (48.5cm); H 23.2”(59cm) | Weight of machine: 60.9lb (27.6lg) | Storage: Folds up for storage | Membership subscription: No

If you just want a basic machine to give you a no-nonsense workout, this could be a smart buy. Because the resistance is magnetic, it’s also quiet. This feature plus the ability to fold the machine up for stowing away makes it a good choice for using at home. The action is smooth, though some users complain that the resistance doesn’t go high enough, despite having eight levels (adjustable by a dial).

If you like to track your data, you may be disappointed by the information on the performance monitor. Although it tracks stroke rate, time and calories, it doesn’t show the distance rowed, which many people regard as a basic piece of data. The monitor isn’t the easiest to read, either.

This machine doesn’t have any apps and doesn’t have a smartphone holder. It’s not particularly good-looking, either, and some users complain that it moves across the floor. However it’s cheap and provides a decent workout, so it should provide you with plenty of sweat for your buck.

Patricia Carswell is a freelance journalist specializing in health and fitness. She has written for a huge variety of national newspapers, magazines and websites, including Healthy, Top Santé, Women's Fitness and fitandwell.com, and writes a monthly column for British Rowing's content hub. She's the founder and host of rowing blog and podcast, Girl on the River, where guests have included Sir Matthew Pinsent and multiple Olympian Frances Houghton MBE. She keeps fit by rowing, walking, and wild swimming, and is at her happiest when on or in the water.

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