Best 5 Magnetic Resistance Rowing Machines In 2022 Reviews
Are you thinking about buying a magnetic rower?
Here in this article, I review 5 best magnetic rowing machine models currently available on the market. I go over their specifications, features, and design, and I also compare them to other resistance types. You can compare the magnetic machine models ad decide which is the one for you.
What You Need To Know Before Buying A Magnetic Exercise Rower
Where To Find A Magnetic Rowing Machine For Sale?
Each rower has their own company’s website where the manufacturers sell them. The other option are online retail sites, like Amazon which I personally recommend. You can compare prices directly on the website, see what other reviews are saying and they even offer great discounts.
Price Range Of These Exercise Machines
Magnetic fitness machines are usually the most budget-friendly rowers on the market. I write in my review about very affordable machines that offer a great full-body workout. The only exception is the Velocity magnetic rower which tends to fall somewhere in the mid-range price-wise.
Magnetic VS Water Rowing Machine
Water rowers use propellers suspended in a water tank to create resistance. You usually can’t set a resistance level; you can increase it only through the speed of your rowing. With the magnetic machines, you can set your desired resistance levels and match it perfectly to your needs.
Air Rowing Machine VS Magnetic
Magnetic exercise rowers sometimes come in combination with air resistance ones. Air resistance alone gives you a very strong rowing stroke, but they can be very noisy. Compared to magnetic resistance alone, where the magnets have a very quiet and smooth operation.
Magnetic VS Hydraulic Rowing Machine
Magnetic resistance machines and hydraulic ones are both very quiet and effective at working out your entire body. The hydraulic ones sometimes tend to get noisier as time passes and you use them more. You have to oil them and maintain them, while you usually don’t have to do that with magnetic rowers.
Best 5 Magnetic Rower Reviews
Best Compact Magnetic Rowing Machine
Stamina Magnetic Rowing Machine 1130
Sixteen Levels Of Magnetic Resistance
You have 16 levels of resistance to choose from on this fitness machine. The closer the magnets are to the metal flywheel, the more resistance you feel. It also works the opposite way when you choose a lighter resistance. To switch, you can just use the plus or minus sign on the console.
Backlit LCD Performance Monitor
The Stamina exercise rower comes with a multi-function monitor that’s easily readable and backlit. It tracks the most important workout metrics such as time passed and distance rowed. You also get a chest strap with this rower that measures your heart rate so you always get the full picture of your endurance.
Ergonomic Design And Capacity
This magnetic resistance rower has a padded seat that’s also molded so your workouts are as comfortable as possible. The handlebar is covered in foam while the pedals are large and have adjustable straps. The rowing beam is made out of aluminum and is very durable, with a maximum weight capacity of 250lbs.
Foldable For Easy Storage
Magnetic exercise machines are known to be easily foldable and compact. The Stamina magnetic rower is no different with its foldable monorail. Once you fold it so the rail is vertical, you can transport it easily on the built-in rollers. The dimensions of the rowing machine are 60’’ L x 22’’ W x 27’’ H.
Warranty Period Of The Stamina 1130
If you want to enact your warranty, you have to register your rower on the official Stamina website. Once you do that, you get a 3-year warranty on the structural frame of the machine. The parts and other components on the rower have a 90-day warranty.
- 16 levels of magnetic resistance
- backlit performance monitor
- ergonomic design for comfortable workouts
- easily foldable and compact
Best Home Magnetic Rowing Machine
Sunny Health & Fitness Magnetic Rowing Machine
Eight Levels Of Adjustable Resistance
If you turn the tension knob under the monitor, you can choose between 8 resistance levels. You can find an appropriate difficulty level for your fitness and workout ability in order to strengthen your whole body. The magnetic resistance makes this rower very quiet and its performance smooth.
Large Digital Fitness Monitor
The LCD console is large and easy to read so you can see all the metrics it shows you of your workouts. It displays time, total count, count, and an estimated caloric burn. It also has the “scan” option which cycles through the functions one after another during your workout.
Build Quality And Comfortable Design
This rower machine has a very sturdy frame and a solid build with its maximum user capacity of 275lbs. The foot pedals are made out of non-slip material and have adjustable straps. The handlebar is covered with foam and won’t get your hands full of blisters. The seat is comfortable and padded.
Foldable With Transportation Wheels
The Sunny Health & Fitness magnetic fitness machine with LCD monitor is very easy to fold. Just take out the pin after you unscrew the bolt and the rail can be folded. After that, you can tilt the rower and move it on its built-in wheels. The dimensions of this magnetic machine are 82’’ L x 19’’ W x 23’’ H.
Warranty Period Of The Sunny Model
The Sunny Health magnetic rowing machine has a comparable warranty to similar rowers in this price range. It’s backed by a 1-year warranty on the structural frame, while the parts have a 3-month warranty. You get a solid rowing machine for this warranty and price.
- 8 levels of magnetic resistance
- large fitness monitor for tracking
- solid construction of the frame
Best Quiet Magnetic Rowing Machine
Velocity Exercise Magnetic Rower
Eight Levels Of Magnetic Resistance
With 8 levels at your disposal to choose from, you can find your ideal setting. Magnetic resistance rowers work out all your major muscle groups and give you great endurance training. This Velocity rower is quiet, effective and since there is no friction between surfaces, the parts won’t wear out.
Multi-Function LCD Monitor
The monitor of this magnetic fitness machine is large and you can easily read it. It tracks metrics such as calories burned, distance rowed, watts, strokes per minute and count. You also get a chest strap to measure your heart rate so you have accurate data while you work out.
Construction Quality And Comfort
The Velocity magnetic rower is made out of aluminum and is sturdy and stable. It can withstand your toughest workouts and can carry up to 275lbs. The seat is large and comfortable, made out of polyurethane leather. The footpads pivot to allow you a full range of motion and are textured.
Foldable Design And Easy Storage
This exercise machine can be easily folded for compact storage. You have to remove the knob that holds the monorail in place and fold it towards the metal flywheel part at the front. This rower also has built-in rollers to help you transport it and its dimensions are 80’’ L x 20’’ W x 25’’ H.
Warranty Period Of The Velocity Rower
This exercise rower is backed by a pretty solid warranty, which fits the price tag that puts it in the mid-range. The frame has a 5-year warranty while the components have 30 days. You also have the monitor under a separate warranty of 90 days. This machine is sturdy, will last you a long time and is almost maintenance-free.
- 8 magnetic resistance levels
- sturdy and stable frame construction
- easily folds for storage
- great warranty coverage
- bonus heart rate monitor
Best Foldable Magnetic Rowing Machine
Marcy Foldable Magnetic Resistance Rower 40503RW
Eight Levels Of Adjustable Resistance
This quiet and efficient exercise machine has adjustable resistance and 8 levels to choose from. When you choose higher resistance, the magnet gets closer to the metal flywheel and slows it down. This is what is causing the various resistance levels. The opposite action also works here.
Multi-Angle Fitness Monitor
The performance monitor of this Marcy magnetic rowing machine can be turned so you can see it from all angles. It tracks important data such as distance, time and calories burned, but it can also fold forwards and backwards. It’s large enough to be easily readable so you always know what’s going on.
Ergonomic Design And Capacity
This rower has many user-friendly parts with an ergonomic design for comfortable workouts. The handlebar is made out of foam so your grip won’t slip and the seat is padded and molded. The machine has a 300lbs weight capacity and the frame and build are sturdy and strong.
Foldable Rail For Storage
It’s very easy to fold the Marcy rower by pulling the locking pin from the seat monorail. After that, you fold the rail forwards and let it stand vertically. For your transportation needs, you can move it on rollers located on the bottom. The dimensions of the rower while in use are 74’’ L x 19’’ W x 32’’ H.
Warranty Period Of The Marcy 40503RW
Marcy rower is a budget-friendly machine but it has a pretty good warranty considering the price. The frame has 2 years while the components and other parts have a 1-year warranty. It’s a great departure from similar rowers that have only a 90-day parts warranty.
- multi-angle fitness monitor
- 8 magnetic resistance levels
- good user weight capacity
- easy to fold and transport
Best Cheap Magnetic Rowing Machine
Harvil Magnetic Rowing Machine
Eight Levels Of Magnetic Resistance
This rower can accommodate a wide variety of user fitness levels. It has 8 levels of resistance and anyone can find a level that suits them the best so they can build muscle and endurance. Higher numbers are levels that have more resistance and challenge your muscles more.
LCD Performance Monitor For Tracking
You can track all your important workout metrics while you exercise on this large LCD monitor. It shows you how counts, distance rowed, estimated caloric burn and elapsed time. The backlit monitor also has the “scan” option which loops through the functions while you row.
Capacity And Comfortable Design
This is a solid rowing machine that will last you for quite some time and can support users of up to 264lbs. The seat is U-shaped and glides on quiet rollers, while the rowing strap is tear-resistant and made out of nylon. The footplates can pivot so you can perform a full range of rowing motion.
Easy Transport And Storage
On the list of best magnetic rower machine models, this is the only one that doesn’t fold. It doesn’t make much difference since the machine is compact while in use at 63’’ L x 20’’ W x 26’’ H. You have to tilt the rower so you can easily transport it on the front built-in wheels and you can store it vertically.
Warranty Period Of The Harvil Model
The warranty of this Harvil exercise machine is pretty short and not that great. During the 180-day period, Dazadi, who does warranty repairs for Harvil, will fix everything at their own cost. If you’re still not satisfied after that period, you will get a full refund.
- suitable for all fitness levels
- large and readable performance monitor
- ergonomic design for comfortable exercise
- compact design and stores easily
- 8 magnetic resistance levels
Other Magnetic Exercise Machines
Some rowers didn’t fit on this list so I mention them separately here, such as the Merax Magnetic Rower. Fitness Reality 1000 Plus Bluetooth Magnetic Rower is a one of a kind machine that uses Bluetooth technology. And there is also the Goplus Magnetic Folding Rowing Machine.
Conclusion: Which Two Best Magnetic Exercise Rowers Should You Buy?
In my opinion, the Stamina 1130 model and the Velocity Exercise Rower are the best magnetic rowing machines. Stamina 1130 magnetic rower has up to 16 resistance levels and quiet performance. The Velocity magnetic rowing machine is a quality mid-range machine with a durable and stable frame.
If you want to know more about rowers suited for home use, you can read this article on best home rower models. For models that are affordable and budget-friendly, we have a rowing machine for sale article. We also wrote an article on the best water rowing machine models.