If you are in a hurry and just want to find out what the best rower for a basement gym is, then I’d recommend the Teeter Power 10 Elliptical Rower as the best one.
Rowing is one of the best strength workouts you can get from a machine because it works out so many different muscle groups at once.
It makes sense that you’ll want to quickly add one to your home gym.
However, you should take your time to find the perfect one, so you aren’t disappointed with your purchase after the fact.
In this article, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about buying a rower and I’ll give you my top five picks for the best rower for a basement gym.
Here are the top rowers we’ll be reviewing:
- Merax Water Rowing Machine
- The Hydro Rower
- LifeSpan RW1000 Indoor Rower
- Teeter Power 10 Elliptical Rower
- XTERRA Fitness ERG650W Water Rower
Things You Should Know About Rowers Before Taking the Plunge
If you’ve used a rower before or you’re an avid gym goer, you probably know all the important details of a rower.
However, if you’re a non-athlete or a newbie to rowing, this section is for you.
I’ve listed the most important shopping points you should keep in mind when browsing for a rower. Keep reading to become a rowing expert.
Types of Rowers
Rowing machines are classified by the “technology” it uses to provide resistance.
There are four types: the flywheel, hydraulic, magnetic, and water rowing machines. They’re all good choices, but they have their unique pros and cons.
Flywheel Rowing Machine
Flywheel rowers are popular in commercial gym settings.
Also sometimes called an air rower, it uses wind to provide resistance. To increase resistance, simply row harder or faster.
The fan blades on the flywheel push harder on the air which, according to Newton, causes the air to push back just as hard.
These machines offer the most natural rowing experience but also tend to cost a lot.
Hydraulic Rowing Machine
Hydraulic rowing machines tend to be the budget machines out of all the rowers.
It provides resistance using a piston with compressed air or fluid. These are great if you don’t want to spend a lot of money or if you need a smaller rower.
However, they provide the least natural rowing experience because you can’t row in a straight line and you can’t move your arms and legs in synchrony.
Magnetic Rowing Machine
These rowing machines are great if you like a silent workout.
The magnetic braking system that it uses doesn’t have very much friction, so it doesn’t make a lot of noise.
These rowing machines can be pricey, but they tend to last longer since the lack of friction means less wear and tear.
Water Rowing Machine
Water rowers are unique because they’re usually made with elegantly crafted wooden frames that are as aesthetically pleasing as they are strong.
The purpose of this type of rower is to make you feel like you’re in a boat rowing in water.
It’s a very quiet type of rower. You’ll mostly just hear the swish of the water.
These rowers can be a bit pricey, mainly due to the decorative nature as well as the durability of the wood.
You can’t mechanically adjust the resistance, but you can adjust it by adding more or less water.
Size and Weight
No matter what kind of rower you get, it’s going to be a sizable machine.
However, there are some that’s smaller than others. You can even find some that fold or can be stored upright.
The more important size aspects you should focus on is the seat and foot plates. If these aren’t big enough for your body type, it can make your time on the rower uncomfortable.
When looking at the weight, keep in mind that a lightweight rower (20 to 40 pounds) isn’t going to be as supportive as a heavier rower.
This is because steel and wood, the best materials for the rower, weigh a lot.
A rower that can support a good bit of weight will likely weigh at least 50 pounds.
The good news is that no matter whether you get a lightweight rower or a heavier one, it’s still going to be light enough for one person to handle alone.
Extra Considerations
Make sure that the rower can support your weight.
Rowers have a maximum weight capacity that they can safely support, but I recommend getting one that has a weight capacity of at least 50 pounds heavier than the heaviest user that will get on the machine.
This ensures that you aren’t wearing out your machine too fast.
You should also make sure that the feet on the rower are solid and wide.
This prevents the rower from rocking back and forth as you use it. It keeps you safe while you exercise so you don’t accidentally topple over from instability.
Most rowers come with an LCD display that helps you keep up with stats such as calories burned, repetitions done, heart rate, and more.
Some displays are extremely small while others are full-color, high-definition screens that can allow you to use apps such as Netflix, Hulu, and more.
The size of the screen won’t affect the quality of your workout. Choosing one is more a matter of personal preference than anything.
Top Five Picks for the Best Rower for a Basement Gym
Merax Water Rowing Machine
The Merax Water Rowing Machine is a solid choice because it’s manufactured well, sturdy, comfortable, and middle of the road when it comes to price.
It’s a smaller sized water rower, so it’s perfect for a basement gym and it can be stored upright to conserve floor space.
I was even impressed with the color scheme. The blue on black gives you an illusion of rowing in water.
The rower has a 19-inch long handle that gives you plenty of room to stretch out as you row.
The seat is amazingly comfortable. It measures 12.5” x 10” and is plush and contoured to fit to your bottom.
It’s quiet and even has rubber wheels to make it easy to move around.
The rower measures 78″L x 20″W x 25.5″H. The slide rail is only 43.3″ long which can be a bit short for tall people. The rower weighs 72 pounds and can support up to 330 pounds.
Pros
- Easy and fast to assemble.
- Quiet operation.
- Comfortable, contoured, well-cushioned seat.
Cons
- Not enough space for people over six feet tall.
- Basin can’t be replaced so you’d have to get a whole new rower if it breaks.
- Foot straps are not adjustable so smaller feet sizes may slip out.
The Hydrow Rower
Hydrow is a company that specializes in rowers.
In fact, the only machine they offer is the Hydrow Rower.
One machine, one model.
It sounds too simplistic, but it’s actually genius.
This allows them to put all their research and efforts into perfecting the perfect rowing machine.
The Hydro is a modern, streamlined machine that makes you feel like you’re really rowing on a boat.
The company’s goal was to design a machine that looks good in a modern home and has an unsurpassed quality.
It’s built with a strong steel and aluminum frame with an anthracite polymer body that can support up to 375 pounds.
The resistance system is unique.
It’s a completely computer-controlled resistance system that’s accurate, dynamic, and responsive.
It’s Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capable and provides you with an immersive rowing experience.
Everything about this rower is innovative and modernized.
It measures 86″L x 25″W x 47″H and weighs 145 pounds. It has a 22-inch full HD screen with a 1920 x 1080 resolution.
It’s expensive, but if you like having the latest and greatest, it’s a solid investment.
Pros
- Ergonomically designed seat with 10 rollers for smooth rolling.
- Ergonomic handle reduces fatigue as you row.
- It’s suitable for tall people as well as short people.
- It’s very sturdy due to the wide legs.
Cons
- It’s very expensive.
- Requires an additional monthly membership to use it.
LifeSpan RW1000 Indoor Rower
LifeSpan is known for making affordable, entry-level, durable exercise machines.
The LifeSpan RW1000 Indoor Rower is a magnetic resistance rower so it’s quiet and long-lasting. It’s not compact, but it folds for easy storage.
The wheels on the bottom make it easy to roll into place.
This is a bare bones rower – it doesn’t have a lot of fancy features, but LifeSpan focused on producing a high-quality machine that could easily be the best rower for a basement gym.
The fact that it’s lacking in features is what saves money.
The steel frame is strong and will support up to 300 pounds. If you want a top-quality machine on a budget, this would be a great choice.
The length of the rower makes it a superior choice for extra tall people.
The dimensions are 90″L x 18.5″W x 23″H and it weighs 75 pounds. The seat is extra wide (14 inches) and ergonomically shaped.
Overall, it’s a decent rower for the price.
Pros
- Five automatic-set resistance levels.
- It’s very quiet.
- Cordless – no outlets needed.
- Easy to assemble.
Cons
- Tiny displays are built into the flywheel.
- No type of entertainment – no console, no audio jacks, etc.
Teeter Power 10 Elliptical Rower
If you want the best bang for your buck, why not get two machines in one?
Teeter has created an elliptical/rower combo in the Teeter Power 10 Elliptical Rower that lets you get the benefit of both machines while performing one exercise.
You begin by doing the traditional rowing movements and the machine moves you in a circular motion as you’re rowing.
Doing this targets almost every muscle group, especially when you consider the fact that you can row in reverse on this machine.
It’s a magnetic resistance machine with seven levels of resistance.
Multi-grip handles, large foot plates, and an adjustable, ergonomic seat with bottom support make it easy to find a comfortable position as you work out.
You even have free access to Teeter’s training app which provides you with workouts from top trainers to help you reach your goals.
The rower is very compact, measuring 62.75″L x 37.5″W x 43.3″H.
However, because of the way the movements are done, a person up to seven feet tall could easily fit the machine. It weighs 180 pounds and can support a person up to 300 pounds.
Pros
- You get an efficient, full body workout.
- It’s compact and a great size for a basement.
- It’s quiet and the flywheel won’t need much maintenance.
Cons
- It’s heavy and could be difficult to move around.
- Spring-loaded knobs can wear out quickly.
XTERRA Fitness ERG650W Water Rower
XTERRA Fitness makes great exercise machines and the XTERRA Fitness ERG650W Water Rower is no exception.
It’s a solid machine and the only one in the list that has pre-programmed workouts. You get to choose between fifteen programs so you should be able to find one for any fitness goal.
The XTERRA Fitness ERG650W is a convenient rower because the seat is 15 inches off the ground.
This makes it great for people who have back problems, mobility issues, or knee problems.
The handles are extra-long so you can adjust your grip as needed. It even has a place for you to store your smart device.
The rower is built with a combination of steel and aluminum for the frame and can support up to 350 pounds. It measures 79.5”L x 20.7”W x 33.9”H and weighs 76 pounds.
Pros
- High seat is suitable for people with mobility issues.
- You can customize up to four programs.
- The frame has a lifetime warranty.
- It has six levels of resistance from a tilted water tank.
Cons
- Not the best choice for tall people.
Final Thoughts on the Best Rower for a Basement Gym
When getting a rower for your basement, space is probably your biggest concern. All the rowers in the above list fold in some way so they won’t take up a big footprint in your basement.
When it comes to choosing the one best rower for a basement gym, my top pick would be the Teeter Power 10 Elliptical Rower. It’s a compact machine with a dual use.
This saves you from having to buy an extra machine for your “already cramped” basement. Plus, it’s a high-quality machine that is built to last.
Which one in the list was your favorite? I have no doubt that one of them would make the perfect rower for your basement gym.
