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Best rowing machine for beginners: How to find the right model for your start in rowing

4 December 2024

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FROM Lars Wichert

You want to start rowing but don't know which one to choose? Rowing machine is right for you? Don't worry - this question is on the minds of many people who want to get started with one of the most effective sports of all. Rowing is ideal for combining endurance and strength, activating all major muscle groups and training in a way that is easy on the joints. It is also the perfect way to get fit without having to spend hours commuting to the gym. But what should you look out for as a beginner when choosing a Rowing machine select?

This article will give you all the information you need to find the right one for you. Rowing machine I'm Lars Wichert, a former competitive rower and two-time Olympian, and I'd like to share my tips and experiences with you.

Why rowing is the ideal sport for beginners

Rowing is one of the most effective full-body workouts. It activates over 85 % of the muscles - from the legs and core to the arms and shoulders. It is also a sport that strengthens your cardiovascular system and improves your endurance.

Rowing offers many advantages, especially for beginners:

Easy on the joints: Unlike jogging, rowing does not put any shock pressure on the joints.
Individually scalable: Whether you want to start with a relaxed session or really push yourself - you can adapt the training perfectly to your fitness level.
Time-saving: Just 20 minutes of rowing a day is enough to make noticeable progress.
Efficient: Rowing burns a lot of calories and helps to build muscle, which even increases your basal metabolic rate in the long term.

Who I am and why I can help you with rowing machines

I am Lars Wichert, a former high-performance rower, world champion and Olympic participant. After my active career, I made it my mission to make it easier for people to start rowing. As an expert, I know what is important in a good rowing machine - and what requirements beginners and advanced rowers have. Together with AUGLETICS, I am working to make rowing accessible and easy for everyone.

What you should look out for when buying a rowing machine

Everyone has different demands on their sports equipment and doesn't always have an extra room in their home where they can train. It should therefore be clear in advance what you want from your rowing machine.

1. stability and quality

A rowing machine should be robustly built so that you can concentrate fully on your training. Beginners in particular need a machine that is stable and allows you to pull evenly.

2. adjustable resistance

Customisable resistance is particularly important so that you can adapt the device to your fitness level. Magnetic brake systems, such as the AUGLETICS Eight Style offer a smooth and fluid resistance adjustment.

3. quiet in operation

If you're exercising at home, you probably don't want loud noises that could disturb others. Magnetically braked devices such as the AUGLETICS Eight Style are extremely quiet and are perfect for training in flats.

4 Operation and functions

An intuitive display with preset training programmes is a major advantage. Devices such as the AUGLETICS Eight Style even offer a virtual trainer to help you improve your technique and keep you motivated in the long term.

5. space-saving

A foldable rowing machine is ideal if you don't have a fixed training space. After training, the machine is easy to stow away and takes up hardly any space.

A look at various rowing machines

In a comparison video my colleague Britta took a close look at various rowing machines. Here are the most important findings:

Water resistance devices: Models such as the WaterRower produce a pleasant rippling sound. With a steady pull, the feeling is similar to rowing, although depending on the manufacturer, there may be a loss of pressure in the front inversion. They are also often louder and offer less flexibility in terms of resistance adjustment and storage space.
Air resistance devices: The Concept2 is a classic, especially in competitive sports. It is robust, but loud and therefore less living room-friendly.
Magnetic resistance devices: The AUGLETICS Eight Style combines whisper-quiet operation with fluid and adjustable resistance. The compact design is ideal for stowing away after exercise.
Hydraulic devices: These are often inexpensive and compact, but offer neither stability nor a realistic rowing feel.

The right rowing technique: your key to success

Before you sit on your rowing machine, you should familiarise yourself with the basics of rowing technique. A proper technique is not only important to train effectively, but also to avoid injuries. There are three main phases to rowing, which should flow harmoniously into one another:

The draughtStart from the starting position with your legs bent and arms straight. The first impulse comes from the legs, followed by the swing of the upper body and finally the pull of the arms. The movement should be powerful but controlled. It is important that the upper body follows the leg kick in order to optimise the power output.
The reserveAt the end of the move, your legs are stretched, your upper body is tilted slightly backwards and your arms pull the handle just below your chest. Make sure your posture is upright and your torso is stable. The wrists are in line with the forearm.
The pre-rollingFor the next stroke, stretch your arms forwards so that your hands pass your knees. At the same time, tilt your upper body slightly forwards and pull yourself forwards into the stance by your feet as soon as your hands have passed your knees until you are back in the starting position.

A common beginner's mistake is to work too hard with the arms or to straighten the upper body too early. Instead, you should concentrate on using your legs as your main driving force and developing a flowing movement sequence.

For a closer look at the technique, take a look at my Video on rowing technique with pleasure. I'll show you step by step how to execute the perfect rowing stroke and give you valuable tips on how to avoid mistakes. With a solid technique, rowing is not only more fun, but also brings you faster results.

Why the AUGLETICS Eight Style is perfect for beginners

The AUGLETICS Eight Style was specially developed for people who want to exercise in the comfort of their own home. Here are some of the key benefits:

Easy to operate: The large touchscreen gives you direct access to various programmes and motivating training routes.
Virtual trainer: The integrated coach gives you feedback on your technique and helps you to avoid mistakes - perfect for beginners.
Quiet and space-saving: The device is whisper-quiet and can be easily folded up after training.
Design: With its modern look in wood or Black powder-coated aluminium it blends harmoniously into any home.
Motivating features: From training analysis to Netflix integration, the device offers numerous functions that motivate you and add variety to your training.

Rowing machine

AUGLETICS Eight Style

2.790,00 EUR

Quiz: Is the rowing machine right for you?

Still unsure whether rowing at home is the right choice for you? Take our interactive quiz and find out! It will help you to recognise your fitness goals and find out whether a rowing machine could be your perfect training partner.

Conclusion: The best rowing machine for beginners

Getting into rowing is easier than you think - especially if you have the right machine by your side. Whether you want to improve your fitness, lose weight or simply create a healthy balance to your everyday life: a good rowing machine is the key to success.

The AUGLETICS Eight Style fulfils all the requirements that beginners should have for a rowing machine. It is quiet, space-saving, easy to use and offers numerous functions to help you get started. Try it out and discover how much fun rowing can be!

To find out more, you can read our article ,,Wooden rowing machine: Stylish, sustainable and full of possibilities - the AUGLETICS Eight Style" read through.

About the author

Lars Wichert

Lars Wichert is a sports scientist and former competitive rower. He was part of the German national team for 13 years. He can look back on two participations in the Olympic Games and three world championship titles. After his rowing career, he worked as a coach and won the European Championships with his team. In his spare time, he now competes in triathlons, where he holds the world's best amateur time over the Ironman distance. Lars has the knowledge as a trainer, competitive athlete and sports scientist, so that everyone can feel addressed. His aim is to make exercise fun and to make it clear that a lot can be done for your health with little effort - because there is no better prevention than investing in your own health.

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