Best Rowing Machines In Canada 2021 -The Final List
As people turn to home fitness solutions in increasingly higher numbers, it’s important to make sure that your equipment is working as hard for you as you are on it. Indoor rowing machines are the perfect full-body workout that focuses on core strength and keeps your heart going, hitting in all the right places while burning calories and building strength.
Rowers use up to 86% of your body’s muscles, toning every part of your body while building cardiovascular endurance. With so many benefits, it’s a no-brainer that you should add a rowing machine to your home or gym today. But with so many options available on the market, how can you tell what machine is the best for you? Whether a small, home rower or a water-based rower for your personal gym, we want to provide you with the best affordable rowing machines for home use in Canada.
Read on to see our comprehensive rowing machine reviews in Canada for ten of the best products on the market today.
Final List Of The Best Rowers In Canada From #10 to #1!
Best Rowing Machines In Canada In 2021
10. Stamina Body Trac Glider 1050 Rowing Machine
One of the best rowing machines under 500 in Canada, this sleek machine offers a compact and comprehensive exercise program perfect for any individual looking to get a jump start on their fitness. Sporting ultra-smooth ball-bearing roller system and adjustable cylinder resistance arms, the BodyTrac Glider offers effortless rowing that works your shoulders, upper back, and lower back. The Glider 1050 offers a steel frame with an aluminum center beam. The entire machine folds easily for compact storage or even travel.
Weighing just over 16 kilograms, this machine for home rowing exercise in Canada is fairly lightweight and could be used and set up by just about anyone. Measuring 127 x 30.5 x 25.4 cm, the Glider fits in any gym, basement, or even bedroom. It can be easily set up and folded back up, making it a useful tool for on-the-go lifestyles.
Unlike other indoor rowing machines, the BodyTrac uses a hydraulic cylinder to create resistance, easing pressure on your joints while allowing you to increase resistance to meet your fitness needs. The rower is complete with a simple yet effective multi-function fitness monitor that tracks your current workout time, stroke count, and calories burned as well as total strokes accumulated (all time), letting you track your progress toward fitness goals.
The Glider is best-suited for smaller individuals looking to start or enhance a fitness routine. Since this indoor rower is so compact, its overall weight limit and lifespan are lower. Reviewers say that the machine tends to last a little longer if you’re shorter and smaller to begin with before you start your rowing program.
Others point out that due to its low-impact, lower intensity hydraulic cylinder resistance, it’s useful for occupational therapy or others looking to stay fit into their older years. Though the product is covered under warranty from authorized resellers, not all Canadian users were able to have that warranty honored, making product repair a challenge as well.
One of the best budget rowing machines in Canada, all in all, the BodyTrac Glider is a good starting point for would-be rowers who want a simple machine to get them going, and the Canada rowing machine market is certainly better off with BodyTrac machines.
PROS:
- Affordable
- Low-impact and efficient
- Compact and transportable
CONS:
- Doesn’t work well with tall or heavy individuals
- Not designed for intensive training
- Succumbs to wear and tear quicker than other machines
- Inconsistent warranty
- Not able to connect to Bluetooth or other web-based fitness trackers.
9. Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5515 Magnetic Rowing Machine
Row into shape with our next pick, the Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5515 Magnetic Rowing Machine! This is one of the best magnetic rowing machines in Canada, offering all of the necessities for an intense yet enjoyable rowing workout in the comfort of your own home working every major muscle group. Designed to last, the Sunny Magnetic Rowing Machine presents one of the most durable and intense rowing workouts available in your home or personal gym today.
The Sunny Magnetic Rowing Machine is one of the larger personal models available on the market today. Coming in at roughly 208.3 x 48.3 x 58.4 cm and weighing almost 30 kg, this indoor rowing machine is not for the faint of heart. However, it does come equipped with heavy-duty wheels that make transport and maneuvering it around your home a piece of cake.
The Sunny Magnetic Rowing Machine sports a steel mainframe that’s reliable and durable; it will hold users of all shapes and sizes. With a newly improved smoother magnetic tension system with 8 levels of adjustable tension, this home exercise machine is also one of the quietest options available. No one will hear you exercising with this silky magnetic tension system. Exercising is made simpler with the LCD screen display, which showcases calorie and mile count, and workout length to keep you focused on achieving any type of personal fitness goals.
Users generally enjoy the many benefits of the Sunny Magnetic Rowing Machine. Reviewers praise its quiet and intensive exercise, but many lamented the time it took to assemble the product. Others had issues with machine parts wearing out after repeated use, only to discover the warranty was not always honored in Canada.
Most reported that the machine stood up to durable and intensive use, but needed a practiced touch in order to repair the indoor rowing machine and keep it in top condition. For intermediate to experienced rowers looking for a machine that works as hard as they do, the Sunny Magnetic Rower may be just the purchase for you.
PROS:
- Magnetic resistance means quieter resistance
- The machine is durable over a long period of time
- It stands up to heavy-duty or high-intensity workouts
CONS:
- Heavier and larger than most models
- Difficult to repair should it break
- Not well-suited for novice rowers
- Not able to connect via Bluetooth or to web-based fitness tracking
8. Stamina DT 397 Rowing Machine
Reap the rewards of rowing with the Stamina DT 397 Rowing Machine. The DT 397 helps you realize all the indoor rowing exercise benefits (cardiovascular health and increased muscle strength for starters) and combines it with the dynamic nature of air resistance. Blending dual resistance technology and increased comfort for a relaxing fitness experience, the DT 397 is one of the top air resistance rowing machines in Canada today.
A good rowing machine in Canada, the DT 397 presents several features designed to enhance comfort and convenience while creating an intense workout, such as a padded, moulded seat, padded rowing handle, textured footplates with adjustable straps, built-in wheels, floor levellers, a high-quality aluminum beam and a bottle holder. Weighing just 23 kilograms and measuring at 165.6 x 55.9 x 87.6 cm, the DT 397 is a portable yet powerful personal exercise machine.
The indoor rowing machine also stands on end for easy storage, meaning you can take it down for use and then fold it right back up to keep it out of the way. Dual-technology resistance combines the power of air resistance and magnetic resistance into one system, creating a uniquely blended exercise routine that will push you to new heights and prevent plateauing.
If you want more of a challenge, simply pull harder to engage the air resistance, and feel free to adjust the tension knob to any eight levels of magnetic resistance for increased intensity. Monitor your workouts through the LCD monitor, which tracks time, count, distance, calories, and total count. Also included are two free, guided online workouts led by expert trainers that stream to any device, so you can engage in more than just one way with the rowing community.
Most reviewers love the DT 397 for its blended resistance forms. For beginning rowers not sure what type of resistance works best for them, the DT 397 offers air and magnetic forms to test and intertwine into your workout. However, dual resistance also means dual noise. One of the noisier rowers on the market, anyone wanting to invest in this indoor machine should prepare for some loud workouts.
On the flip side, the customer service representatives for the Stamina brand do an excellent job honoring warranties and working to fix any machine-related issues, so if the noise becomes unbearable they may be able to assist. The DT 397 is a great middle of the road machine, offering variability in workouts, resistance, and intensity for the perfect home fitness experience.
PROS:
- Easy storage
- Dual resistance and high intensity
- Web-machine fitness integration
- Good customer service
CONS:
- Noisy machine
- Bulky when in use
7. SereneLife SLRWMC50 Home Rowing Machine
Enjoy your daily workout and achieve your fitness goals without even having to leave your home. This foldable, seated rowing machine is ideal for a home gym and will help you get an intense full-body workout while strengthening your cardiovascular system in no time. Durable, high quality, and smooth, this rowing machine is great for any level of rowing.
One of the heavier rowing machines available, the SereneLife personal rowing machine lands at about 37 kilograms. However, the machine itself is rather sleek, measuring 119.6 x 79.2 x 29.2 cm. Made from premium, durable steel and able to withstand up to 114 kg of additional weight, the SereneLife brand is built to last. This indoor, all-weather workout is non-weight bearing and perfect for anyone looking for a low-impact option.
Featuring a combination of air and magnetic resistance, the intensity is completely customizable and can easily be adjusted to meet any rower’s needs. An LCD screen tracks time, count, and calories burned while also monitoring your resistance level, which can be tailored from ten individual resistance categories to meet your needs.
Reviewers have very few criticisms of the SereneLife line of rowing machines. The home company works to resolve product issues and honor warranties as quickly as possible, but for the most part the machines arrive in good condition and last for ages. Expert rowers may age out of the machine’s resistance and look for something a bit more challenging, but beginners and intermediates will love the ease of use and intense challenge that the SereneLife home rowing machine provides.
PROS:
- Customizable workouts
- Foldable for easy storage
- Lasts a long time
- Good customer service
CONS:
- Heavy and awkward to move once installed
- Intensity plateaus at a certain point and may not be suited for expert rowers
6. Mr. Captain Bluetooth Water Rower
Take your rowing experience to the next level by investing in a Mr. Captain Bluetooth Water Rower. Blending engaging, top-of-the-line electronic integration with a full-body intensive workout, the Captain Rower makes rowing dreams a reality.
This water-based indoor rowing machine is a high-performing piece of equipment that appears as polished and elegant as a piece of art. Featuring oak exterior with plush black padding on the seat and machine, the Mr. Captain Rower looks as though it belongs in a contemporary museum. The shining star is the clear water tank attached to the machine.
Operating the rowing mechanism turns an oar in the water below, creating a genuine rowing experience and providing water resistance to help you train. Coming in at a 30 kilograms and measuring 208 cm long, the Mr Captain Rower makes a statement in any home or personal gym. The highlight of the Captain Rower, however, is its electronics integration.
Your rower comes with a VR headset and a number of rowing games that create a real-life rowing simulation all around you. Row down a river, across whitewater rapids, or through canyons, all from the comfort of your own home. Explore intriguing environments that truly making exercising fun, and track your fitness progress on an integrated app or Bluetooth tracker. Technology has never been more fit than the Captain Rower.
The sheer size of the Captain Rower is intimidating, which makes it a challenge to transport and move it from place to place. There also does not appear to be a clear warranty or customer support team in place, which could make repairs or faulty equipment a challenge. Maintenance is complicated by the integration of exposed water and electronic tools, and it’s hard to upgrade your resistance once you’ve become accustomed to the water tank function. All in all, the Mr Captain Rower is a statement piece, but it may not be the best choice for those looking to get an effective workout out of their experience.
PROS:
- Extraordinary electronic integration
- VR experiences
- Aesthetic appearance
CONS:
- Lack of customer support
- Hard to change intensity or resistance
- Bulky and nonportable.
5. Obsidian Surge 500 Water Rower
A top quality product for a top-quality workout, the Obsidian Surge 500 Water Rower will keep your workouts engaging and challenging. Elevate your workout and be more efficient with the Obsidian Surge 500 Water Rower.
The Obsidian Surge offers water resistance designed to strengthen muscles and provide excellent cardio benefits. The durable steel blades in the water tank resist rust and are built to last through the toughest, most vigorous exercise regimens. The paddles rotate and push against the water while withstanding water corrosion and damage. Hydro blades are built to endure vigorous rowing strokes and will keep up with multiple levels of water resistance.
Measuring 203.2 x 55.9 x 86.4 cm and weighing just over 40 kg, the Obsidian Surge isn’t lightweight, but it makes up for its size in its quality of workout. The included water tank creates a smooth and steady rowing experience with every stroke, generating instant resistance coming from the flywheel and steel fan blades.
The harder you work, the more your resistance increases, creating a heart-pounding workout that can be customized to fit your every need. Tracking your progress on the SF-RW5713 is simple with the Digital Monitor screen, which integrates with heart rate technology to track your BPM for a more effective calculation of burned calories, as well as distance, time, and total count for effective progress metrics.
The Obsidian Surge has a mostly positive reputation among the rowing community due to its high-intensity workouts and water rowing design. However, the water can sometimes prove to be a challenge. Some users reported leaking water chambers, while others felt they were limited in intensity once they surpassed certain water resistance levels.
The company manufacturing Obsidian Surge continually works with customers to replace or repair existing parts regardless of warranty, and recent upgrades to the Surge include additional hydro paddles for increased intensity. Overall, the Obsidian is a great investment for rowers looking to get serious about their training or cardio goals and is the perfect addition to a home gym or developing workout space.
PROS:
- Intense water resistance
- BPM integration
- Top-notch digital monitor features
CONS:
- Bulky machine
- Challenging for beginners to get comfortable with
4. BATTIFE JR-RW-001 Water Rowing Machine
The elegant counterpart to today’s rowing machines, BATTIFE combines chic aesthetic design with intense full-body exercise to create a glamorous yet rewarding physical workout experience. With its wooden exterior and glossy hardware, the BATTIFE rowing machine stands out in your home as a piece of statement furniture that’s as practical as it is beautiful.
Designed and made from real red walnut wood, the BATTIFFE indoor rowing machine is a thing of true beauty. Featuring a glass water tank and high-quality padded hardware, this elegantly designed machine fits perfectly into your classy home or exercise space.
Weighing just 27 kg and measuring in at a compact 210.1 x 56.9 x 50.8 cm, this machine is the epitome of chic. With built-in wheels for easy transport and a folding frame, it’s easy to assemble and then fold up the rowing machine before and after workouts, creating compact storage.
Arriving with a genuine water tank powered by your smooth-gliding strokes, users experience a vivid rowing experience. Using actual water provides authentic resistance, but it also maintains a quiet sound; BATTIFFE rowers can exercise well into the night without waking a soul. The equipped monitor keeps track of important statistics during your workout like strokes per minute (SPM), workout length, distance rowed, and caloric burns, with Bluetooth equipping that helps you track and build on your progress with each workout.
Similar to other water-tank resistance rowers, some leakage might occur with this machine. Extreme rowers may also find the lack of direct control over your resistance levels frustrating, especially as they work their way past the limits of the indoor rowing machine. However, most users seem to love the BATTIFFE indoor rowing machine, making it one of the best home rowing machines available in Canada today.
PROS:
- Very silent
CONS:
- Lack of direct control over the resistance
3. Xterra Fitness ERG600W Water Rower
Bring the unparalleled full-body workout of rowing home with the Xterra Fitness ERG600W water rower for home use, one of the best rowing machines in Canada for under CAD1000. Xterra Fitness strives to create top-notch exercise experiences with each piece of equipment, and the ERG600W rower is certainly no exception.
The ERG0600W rower balances full-body exercise with zen-like water resistance with ease. Sleek design meets a full water tank designed to create customizable resistance that won’t break you or the machine down. Featuring six different resistance levels, you can easily customize the style of resistance that works best for you by altering the amount of water you place in the container.
Meanwhile, the propellers’ active motion through the water tank creates peaceful sounds similar to actually rowing on the water, allowing you to relax and truly settle into the lull of rowing. Measuring 205 x 55.9 x 83.8 cm and weighing just over 37 kilograms, the Xterra ERG0600W is a behemoth of both exercise and training. The indoor machine is topped off by a large 5.5″ LCD console situated at an easy height with angle adjustment for the perfect viewing angle. The console tracks time, distance, strokes, and calories, and can be attached via Bluetooth to a heart rate monitor for additional fitness tracking.
Most reviewers cite the Xterra Rower as the best investment they’ve made in the fitness world. Their customer service team honors all warranties and works to ensure you’re having the best possible experience with their product, which makes any repairs or faulty equipment issues much easier. Despite its size, many stated it’s easy to maneuver around and well worth the expense. No matter your level of interest or experience in rowing, the Xterra Rower will be able to work with you.
PROS:
- Customizable water resistance
- Solid customer service and warranty program
- Easy to transport or move
CONS:
- Pricier than many other models
- Takes up a lot of space
2. Concept2 Model D Indoor Rowing Machine
Manufactured by the company that set the standard in rowing, the Concept2 Model D Indoor Rower with PM4 delivers proven performance and fitness benefits. Concept2 Indoor Rowers are used worldwide by Olympic athletes, cardiac rehab patients, and every caliber of rower in-between. A great investment, this commercial-grade machine is recommended for home use, and their customer service team will support you every step of the way.
The Concept2 Model D is one of the most compact yet efficient rowing machines on the indoor home rowing machine market today. Measuring just 241.3 x 61 x 35.6 cm and weighing barely 26 kg, the rowing machine is already fairly light and portable. Add to that heavy-duty wheels and a quick-release frame lock that allows you to separate the machine for easy storage, and you’ve got a highly portable machine that fits well in any home, office, or exercise space.
With a 226 kg capacity, the Model D is one of the studiest rowing machines around, making it perfect for rowers of every size, shape, and interest level. Adjustable footrests and seat add to the comfort and capacity of the machine, making exercise as convenient as it is important. Resistance is generated by an attached fan, allowing you to customize it easily to meet your needs. Included in your purchase are a number of electronic guided workouts or games designed to inspire you to work harder as well, allowing full electronic integration into your other fitness apps or trackers.
The self-calibrating Performance Monitor 4 (PM4) includes built-in wireless heart rate monitoring (heart rate chest belt included). The PM4 also uses ANT technology to support wireless racing between up to eight separate machines with no computers or extra equipment needed, so you can race friends or training buddies without needing to hook up in extra places.
Almost every user of Concept 2 falls in love with this machine. Some note that continual cleaning and maintenance are required to keep the seat from jumping the row tracks and continuing a smooth journey, but there are very few complaints in every other area. Whether a beginner or a pro, the Concept 2 Model D is a worthy investment on your indoor rowing equipment journey.
PROS:
- High-quality machine
- Adjustable resistance
- Electronic integration
- Wireless racing
CONS:
- Pricier
- Needs regular maintenance
1. NordicTrack RW900 Rower
1 used from C $1,727.38
Our number one pick for your personal indoor rowing machine, the NordicTrack RW900 Rower is the best of the best in every category. Work your arms, legs, and core all in one workout. On the RW900, you’ll be able to build your strength and stamina with a fast-paced, high-intensity workout that tailors to your exact needs. High-performing and top-of-the-line in every regard, the NordicTrack RW900 is definitely the best investment in terms of personal rowing machines.
Coming in at 219.7 x 55.9 x 128 cm and weighing almost 60 kg, the RW900 is made to get down to business. However, don’t let its size fool you. An innovative SpaceSaver design allows your rower to fold up after your workout for compact, simple storage; Front-mounted transport wheels make it easy to move your rower from room to room.
This highly portable rowing machine features SMR Silent Magnetic Resistance and an inertia enhanced flywheel that delivers quiet, energy-efficient workouts from the comfort of home. You won’t have to worry about disturbing anyone with the silent yet powerful RW900 by your side. An additional highlight is the highly customizable resistance levels: 26 coach controlled resistance levels match trainer recommendations and mimic real-life water resistance.
Rower workouts are personalized to your fitness level and goals, and the 55 cm HD smart touchscreen display with adjustable console angle ensures you’re immersed in a customizable workout tailored to you. Go even further with a one-year interactive iFit membership included with your purchase, which features individual coaching based on your level.
Many users have praised the iFit membership as one of the highlights of the NordicTrack RW900, but there’s a lot to praise and not much to hate. The few complaints mostly center on product maintenance issues, which were all quickly solved by the intensive warranty covered through the original company. For the rowing enthusiast who’s dedicated to a high-quality rowing experience, this machine is the best purchase for you.
PROS:
- Portable
- Electronic integration
- Free online coaching
- Expansive customizable resistance
- Good warranty coverage
CONS:
- Very expensive
- Bulky machine when fully extended for use
Rowing Clothing: Dressing for Success
Our in-depth reviews will help you find the best home rowers in Canada, but the final touch to any rowing experience should be your rowing clothes. The right uniform can really add to the success of your rowing training. Rowing gloves help keep a firm grip on your oars or paddles, allowing you to maximize your pull and scale up your workout.
Rowing shirts and pants are also essential; you’ll want to look for efficient, form-fitting clothing that will keep wetness off your skin, dry quickly, and keep you warm even when sweaty or damp. Rowing shoes keep your feet glued to the pedals, giving the perfect grip for you to push off from.
The final touch is a rowing seat cushion. While it may seem purely aesthetic, cushions are essential to keep your tailbone protected, padding your pressure points while still performing a maximum workout. And if you want to enjoy a safer and more stable workout while protecting your floor, do invest in a good rowing machine mat.
With our rowing machine reviews in Canada you should possess the necessary knowledge to buy the perfect product for your home workout. Enjoy your purchase and new shape!