Best Rowing Machines Under 500 in Canada – Our Picks
Get fit and in shape without breaking the bank with these affordable yet great home rowers in Canada!
More and more people these days are looking to improve their overall health. One of the ways that has become very popular is to set up a home gym. According to many people online cardio workouts are a really good way to get started. Today’s rowing machines provide a great cardio and full body workout at the same time. This article is designed to help introduce the reader to some of the best rowing machines under 500 in Canada.
As part of our research for this article we discovered that there are four basic types of home rowing machines; water, air, magnetic, and air-magnetic. Each one uses an unique technology for creating the necessary resistance. This resistance is what helps to deliver the desired workout results for the user. When it comes to determining which is the best type of rowing machine for you, we hope that after reading this article to the end you will have enough information to do it.
Our online research for this article has shed a lot of light on the available rowing machines from many different manufacturers. We have come across a lot of rowing machine reviews under 500 in Canada and feel that we have come up with a really good comprehensive list of the top ten best affordable rowers for home use. In order to provide a proper understanding of each of the products, we have included a fairly detailed review of the indoor rowing machines under $500 on our list.
Along with the brief review of each of the rowing machines on our list of the ten best home rowing machines under 500 we include several things that you should consider when looking at a rowing machine. There are also some questions that are frequently asked online regarding the best indoor rowing machines and how to choose them, so we answered those too.
10 Best Home Rowing Machine Under 500
Xterra Fitness ERG600W Water Rower
The Xterra Fitness ERG600W Water Rower is one of the best water rowers for home under 500 in Canada that we found online. It has several very important features that would make it a really good option. It is constructed in a way that makes it really sturdy and it is able to handle users up to 300 lb.
The ERG600W Water Rower is built around the water chamber that creates the resistance. The uniqueness of the water chamber is that there are 6 different resistance levels controlled by the amount of water that you put into the chamber. The seat slides along the extended rail and when you pull on the handle you activate the internal impellers inside the water chamber. The water level guide is included so that you know how much water to add or remove.
The lightweight all-aluminum frame and rail design makes it easy to move, but still sturdy enough to handle the rigors of years of use by the whole family. A really cool feature is that it folds up which will help it take up less space when not in use. The full dimensions of the machine are 80.7” L x 22” W x 33” H (2050 x 560 x 840mm) when fully extended and (L x W x H): 33” x 22” x 80.7” when standing up.
The large contoured seat and oversize foot pedals, and ergonomic shape of the handle are all designed to add the right amount of functionality and comfort for the user. The included display console features a large monochrome LCD display with large numbers that make it easy to track your progress. You will need to wear a chest strap mounted heart rate monitor (Polar is one of the most popular brands that works great).
Pros:
- The unit stands up on its end in order for it to be stored when not in use
- The amount of resistance created depends on the amount of water you place in the water chamber
- The display on the computer console is really easy to read while working out
Cons:
- The padding on the seat leaves a lot to be desired
SereneLife SLRWMC50 Air and Magnetic Home Rower
The SereneLife SLRWMC50 Home Rowing Machine fits well with the brand, this machine is whisper quiet thanks to the combined air and magnetic resistance technology built into it. It delivers a high-quality, total body workout and is one of the best air magnetic rowing machines under CAD500 on the market in Canada.
The SLRWMC50 features heavy-duty all steel construction in the frame, rail and supports makes it a highly durable exercise machine. The ergonomic handle is attached to a high-strength cable which attaches to the extra large flywheel. The resistance is created using a combination of two technologies; air and magnetics.
SereneLife SLRWMC50 Home Rowing Machine features a unique folding mechanism that with a single pull of a pin the extended seat rail folds up. This makes it much easier to store it when not in use. The dimensions depend on the configuration of the rower, when in the folded position; 88.39cm L X 49.02cm W X 212.09cm H, in the extended position 212.09cm L 49.02cm X W X 88.39cm H.
It appears that SereneLife paid close attention to rider comfort when designing the SLRWMC50 Home Rowing Machine. The combination of a highly padded and contoured seat, oversized foot pedals (w/hold-down straps) and ergonomic pull handle make it extremely comfortable for the rider. The built-in computer console features a large monochrome LCD display that shows your workout session progress. It shows your real-time calories burned, distance traveled, heart rate, and strokes.
Pros:
- The unit is very easy to assemble and is extremely well designed and built
- The rowing machine is really amazingly quiet which is great
- You get a really nice total body workout including; upper and lower muscles and cardio
Cons:
- The console is not exactly as accurate as you would expect
Stamina ATS Air Rower 1403
The Stamina ATS Air Rower 1403 is a high-quality indoor rowing machine that is one of the best-rated air rowing machines under 500 in Canada. Stamina is one of the more well-known manufacturers of exercise equipment. They use only the best materials and feature numerous technologies to create each and every machine that they make. The ATS Air Rower uses air technology to generate the needed resistance for your workout.
The key to ATS Air Rower 1403 indoor rowing machine is the Air Transfer System that creates more resistance as you ramp up your workout intensity. The unique nylon belt attached to the ergonomically shaped handle which is attached to the flywheel. The flywheel is fitted with fins that cut through the air which helps to generate increased or decreased resistance. Since the amount of intensity of your workout creates more resistance, it also has a tendency to increase the overall noise level of the machine.
The construction of the Air Rower 1403 is a combination of heavy-duty steel, lightweight, yet strong aluminum and polished chrome. The sturdy and solid frame is made of high strength tubular steel, the extended seat rail is made of highly durable aluminum and the flywheel cage is made of chrome finish. In order to make it easier to store, the extended seat rail can be folded up and using the two wheels mounted on the front area of the frame it can be easily moved out of the way.
Stamina also includes a large, easy to read LCD display on the computer console, which is conveniently mounted just above the flywheel area to make it much easier to see while you are working out. This air rowing machine also includes a very well-padded seat for extra comfort during your rowing sessions and the foot pedals are over-sized with a large Velcro strap. For an even more comfortable workout, it’s also very important to wear proper shoes for rowing exercise rather than ordinary sneakers.
Pros:
- You are totally in control of how much resistance that will be generated during each workout
- It folds up really easy and the wheels make it easy to move it around for storing away when not in use
- The large size characters on the console display make it really easy to read while you are exercising
Cons:
- It can get a bit noisy if you are using it in the high intensity range
Fitness Reality 1000 Plus Bluetooth Magnetic Rower
It is one of the best all-around magnetic home rower under CAD500 in Canada. You can configure it to do a number of other exercises not found on any other indoor rower on the market. Using the footpad attached to the front of the rower to hold the unit down, you do a number of curl and raise style exercises.
The Fitness Reality 1000 Plus Bluetooth Magnetic Rower is an amazing machine that packs a whole lot of features and functionality in one package. It is constructed of high-quality materials that makes it very durable. It also includes several features designed to add an extra level of comfort for the user.
The frame and extended seat rail is made of a lightweight steel alloy for extra strength and durability. The seat is contoured and overly padded for an extra level of comfort for those extra long training sessions. The pulling bar also is padded for extra comfort and for improved gripping. The additional foot pads attached to the support bar on the front of the machine are there to be used when using it to perform the additional curl and raise type exercises.
Another exclusive feature found in the 1000Plus Bluetooth Magnetic Rower is the inclusion of advanced Bluetooth technology. It allows you to connect directly to your mobile device and it can be used in conjunction with the My Cloud Fitness App. The large, 8.89cm LCD screen displays your progress during your workout.
Pros:
- It can be used to do many other types of exercises like curls, raises, and extensions
- It connects easily via Bluetooth to your mobile device to work in conjunction with the fitness apps in the Cloud
- The onboard computer console has a really large LCD screen which shows all of your workout information
Cons:
- It is a bit on the light side, which makes it somewhat unstable while exercising
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5515 Magnetic Rowing Machine
Sunny Health & Fitness is one of the more well-known manufacturers of fitness equipment in the world. They have designed and created some of the most highly rated home fitness equipment on the market. Their SF-RW5515 Magnetic Rowing Machine is one of the best magnetic rowing machine under 500 on the market today. It is packed with lots of features and functionality that Sunny Health & Fitness has become famous for.
At the heart of the machine is the large flywheel that uses Magnetic Tension System technology to create the necessary resistance. The system includes an adjustment knob with 8 different resistance levels that allows you to increase or decrease the amount of resistance during your workout. The flywheel mechanism is mounted to a sturdy, lightweight steel alloy frame and supports to provide an additional amount of support
The length of extended slide rail is long enough to accommodate a large range of users with a maximum weight of 113.39 kg. The seat is padded and contoured for extra comfort for the user even during extra long sessions. The ergonomic pull handle features an easy grip material that helps to wick away sweat.
The SF-RW5515 Magnetic Rowing Machine provides a low-impact total body workout, including cardio and resistance training. The Large LCD console display helps to keep you informed about your workout progress and displays it with large digits. It track a number of metrics including time, count, calories, total count,
Pros:
- The resistance control is really easy to use with the placement of the knob being highly accessible
- The magnetic resistance system creates an extremely smooth and quiet exercise session
- The fold-up mechanism is really convenient which makes it really easy to store it in the corner of the room
Cons:
- The lack of backlighting of the display screen makes it difficult to see the screen in low light
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW5624 Full Motion Magnetic Rower
Sunny Healthy & Fitness came up with an unique type of in home rowing machine that closely simulates the natural boat rowing motion. The full motion magnetic rowing machine is typically more compact than the other three types of rowing machines. This makes it a much better option for those homeowners with a limited amount of space to put a rowing machine.
The SF-RW5624 Full Motion Magnetic Rowing Machine is one of the more unique indoor rowing machines under $500. It does not use a bar and cable or wire rope to turn a flywheel that creates the resistance. Instead you have two handles that attach to a crank mechanism on each side of the machine. The handles can operate to two different methods; symmetrical (both handles simultaneously) and asymmetrical (single handle at a time).
The machine features all sturdy construction that allows it to accommodate users up to 136.08 kg. The frame and extended seat rail are made of high-strength, lightweight tubular steel. The extended seat rail is 120.90cm long, which allows it to accommodate a wide range of users. The end of the rail is angled slightly upward with a steel support bar to provide stability. The front end also has a steel support bar with two built-in rollers to make it easier to move it around. For even more stability and to protect your floor, you can add to your home gym equipment a good rowing machine mat.
The onboard computer console features a very small single row LCD digital display. It shows the progress of your workout session including; time, count, calories, total count. The seat is padded and contoured in order to make it much more comfortable for the user, especially over longer training sessions.
Pros:
- It can be used either single-handed or two-handed depending on your preference
- Being foldable is very convenient in that it does not take up nearly as much room when not in use
- The display on the console is really easy to read and very helpful for tracking your workout progress
Cons:
- It is bit on the heavy side and can be a bit hard to move even with the wheels
Marcy ME-1018RE Foldable Magnetic Resistance Rower
Marcy has been making a wide range of exercise equipment for in-home gyms. Marcy settled on the magnetic technology as the type of resistance to be used in the ME-1018RE Rowing Machine. It is designed to deliver a smooth, low-impact, total body workout and be whisper quiet at the same time.
Marcy created a very stable rowing platform with a heavy-duty all steel constructed frame and extended seat rail. The added steel bar supports at both ends gives it the extra stability. The overall dimensions of the rowing machine fully unfolded 134.62cm H x 60.96cm W x 162.56cm L.
The magnetic resistance control is made really easy, using the selector knob you can choose one of the 8 settings. Another great benefit of choosing the Marcy ME-1018RE Magnetic Resistance Rowing Machine is that when not in use it can be folded up and it reduces the overall dimensions down to 91.44cm L x 50.8 W x 113.03 H.
The extra large built-in computer console is adjustable and can be repositioned to ensure that it is always in the right palace for you to read the display. The console also includes a built-in holder for you to put your tablet so that you can see it while working out. The extra large LCD display makes it really easy to see the metrics like total count, calories, and time.
Pros:
- The Marcy ME-1018RE is built sturdy enough to handle users up to 136.078 kg.
- When it is in the folded position it can easily be tucked away in a corner of the room or closet
- It was relatively easy for a person to put it together
Cons:
- The resistance settings are less than expected even at the highest setting
Stamina Body Trac Glider 1050 Rowing Machine
The Stamina Body Trac Glider 1050 Rowing machine is one of the most unique of all indoor rowing machines on the market. Stamina chose the hydraulic piston method of creating the necessary resistance to make it a really good piece of exercise equipment. It is made on all high-quality materials that make it a very lightweight and yet still being durable.
The unit is made from high-strength, lightweight, and very durable steel alloy. The power and resistance is created by the movement of hydraulic pistons. The main hydraulic piston features an 8-position manual knob that can be turned to raise or lower the amount of resistance that is generated by pulling on the handles.
Stamina built several features into the Body Trac Glider 1050 to help improve the overall comfort. The oversized, heavily padded seat makes it really comfortable for those extra-long sessions. The handlebars each feature a sure-grip coating to make it extra comfortable on your hands as you are rowing. For more comfort and safety, you can also invest in a pair of quality rowing gloves.
Pros:
- The unique rowing handles closely replicate the same rowing motion on the water
- The extra-large LCD Digital display is very to be seen during your workout
- The extremely compact size makes it really easy to store it when it is folded up
Cons:
- The rollers under the seat can become damaged easily
Xterra ERG200 Folding Magnetic Rower for Home Gym
The Xterra ERG200 Folding Magnetic Rower for Home Gym is a high quality indoor rowing machine. The unique magnetic resistance system produces an ultra quiet and extremely smooth rowing motion. Is made from only the highest quality materials and is filled with many great features.
It features a heavy-duty and yet still lightweight frame and extended seat rail. The tubular steel frame, seat rail and support bars help to make it really stable for users up to 113.39kg. The machine features an overall unfolded dimension of 182.62cm x 52.57cm x 80.01cm that can accommodate a wide range of users.
Comfort and ease of use are at the heart of the ERG200, the contoured seat is padded for extra comfort, the oversized foot pedals feature Velcro tie down straps and the ergonomic pull handle has a unique textured grip. The tension knob for adjusting the resistance level (8 levels of resistance) is positioned to make it easier to raise or lower it during your workout. It is topped off by the large console with its large digital display that can be adjusted to make it easier to see it.
One of the most difficult things when it comes to finding the right indoor rowing machine is whether or not it will fit in your room. Fortunately, Xterra created the ERG200 to be compact enough to fit in even in the smallest rooms, but it is also foldable which makes it a great choice since it can be tucked away in a corner. At a mere 92.45cm x 52.57cm x 120.14cm in size when folded.
Pros:
- The ERG200 folds up to a very convenient and compact size the easily will fit in a corner or closet
- The large LCD display features extra-large digits that are really easy to see while you workout
- The position of the console can be adjusted to make it easier to see it while working out
Cons:
- Not very sturdy and it is likely why it only supports up to 113kg
Sunny Health & Fitness SF-RW1205 Rowing Machine
Sunny Health & Fitness is one of the most well-known exercise equipment manufacturers in the country and they have a well deserved reputation for selling high-quality equipment for home use. SF-RW1205 Rowing Machine is another great example of indoor rowing machines they have to offer. They use only the highest quality materials to ensure that it upholds their brand name.
The indoor rowing machine is one of the best low-impact total body workout machines. The SF-RW1205 rowing machine packs many great features into a compact exercise machine. The high strength tubular steel that went into making the frame and supports makes it extremely durable so that it lasts much longer than other brands of exercise equipment.
The machine has several features that are designed to provide the user extra comfort including an overly padded contoured seat, adjustable hold down straps and padded grip handle. The adjustable resistance is created via a hydraulic piston that includes a manual adjustment knob that has 12 possible positions.
One of the big draws of the hydraulic piston style indoor rowing machines is that they are much more compact than all of the other types of indoor rowing machines. The SF-RW1205 doesn’t need to fold up in order to be easier for storage. By standing up the unit it will take up much less space. The easy to read computer console with large LCD is mounted directly to the pull the handle.
Pros:
- It provides a very smooth full-body workout without all of the impacts of other types of exercises
- The large cushioned seat provides plenty of support and comfort while exercising
- The large digital display on the console makes it really easy to follow your workout progress
Cons:
- It highly recommended that you limit the workout session due to the physical limitation of the hydraulic piston
What To Look For In A Home Rowing Machine – A Buyer’s Guide
What types of resistance are available? – Resistance is what is used during exercise to help raise your heart rate and to help the muscles in the body to grow. When it comes to indoor rowing machines there are four basic types of machines that use one of four different types of technology to create resistance; air, water, hydraulic piston, and magnetism. There are virtually hundreds of different brands and models of indoor rowing machines that feature one of the four types of resistance. You just need to figure out which of the types of resistance you want to go with and then choose the best brand and model.
Amount of space you have available – Indoor rowing machines come in a wide range of shapes and sizes, so you need to first determine where in your home you plan to have your gym. Once you figured that out you can look at all of the available choices on the market. If you are limited on space you may want to consider a rower that uses hydraulic pistons since they will be much more compact. If you want to store your rower when not in use, you may want to consider a model that offers a folding option. That way you can move it into a corner of the room or put it into a storage closet when not in use.
Set a budget and stick to it – These days indoor rowing machines can be found at a wide range of prices. There many different brands and models available with prices ranging from $100 all the way up to over several thousands of dollars. It is best to decide how much you are willing to spend, such as 500 and look for the best rowing machines under 500. It is really important that you do not exceed your budget as you might end up with something that is much more than what you are really needing. If you are willing to spend a bit more, you can also check out the best rowing machines in Canada under 1000.
Display to monitor your progress – A big part of using a machine to workout is that they are designed to simulate a certain type of activity. In the case of the indoor rowing machine, it is designed to simulate the movement of rowing a boat. It has long been known that rowing motion provides the body with a number of benefits including; cardiovascular and resistance for muscle growth. To ensure that you can track your performance during your training session an onboard console with built-in computer and sensors record and display the results of a number of things like calories burned, the number of strokes, distance rowed and some other things depending on the make and model.
FAQ About Rowing Machines Under 500
Question #1: What is the best type of resistance technology for an indoor rowing machine?
Answer: There are four basic types of technology used to produce the resistance in today’s indoor rowing machines; Air, Hydraulic Piston, Water, and Magnetic. Each one of them are capable of creating the desired amount of resistance, however, they also have pros and cons that you need to be aware of. Be sure to do your research to ensure that you find one that works best for your needs.
Question #2: Is a comfortable seat really that important?
Answer: Much like any piece of exercise equipment, it is important that you are comfortable when using it. The seat is a very important aspect of any indoor rowing machine and the amount of comfort it provides is paramount. In order to be able to generate the necessary amount of power in each stroke from your legs, your gluteus maximus (butt) needs to be well supported. The best way to do this is to have a well-padded and comfortable seat.
Question #3: How noisy are indoor rowing machines?
Answer: If noise is going to be a concern then you need to be very selective about which type of indoor rowing machine you buy. Each of the four types varies on how much noise they produce and also depends on your workout intensity. Air resistance machines are thought to be the loudest because they use fan blades to create the resistance as they cut through the inside of the air chamber.
Question #4: Are hydraulic piston style rowing machines just as good as the other three types of machines?
Answers: Hydraulic piston-type rowing machines are much different from the traditional style indoor rowing machine. Instead of creating resistance by turning a wheel, it generates the resistance by forcing a hydraulic cylinder to move in and out. These types of rowing machines also require the use of multiple muscle groups that provide more overall body workout. They are also much more compact in size than other types of rowers.
Question #5: Are folding style indoor rowing machines really worth the risk?
Answer: For people who are wanting a home indoor rowing machine but are limited on space, there are manufacturers that offer folding models of their rowing machines. Unfortunately, you do run the risk that there is a failure of the folding mechanism while you are using it. For the most part, this is a rare occurrence, but it is something you would want to keep in mind.
Final Verdict
After all of our research was done we came up with the two best home rowers under 500. We decided to go with the best overall and the best budget indoor rowing machines in Canada for this article. We looked through all ten of the models that we reviewed and after all of that, we decided on the Fitness Reality 1000 Plus Bluetooth Magnetic Rower. In today’s technologically advanced age having built-in Bluetooth connectivity helps it to stand out above the rest. Since we know that there are a number of people living on a tight budget so we decided to include budget home rowers under 500 in Canada in our final verdict. So, we went with the Stamina Body Trac Glider 1050 Rowing machine. It gives you all of the benefits of a full-body workout at an affordable price.