YOUR GUIDE TO ROWING MACHINE RESISTANCE

If you are interested in a rowing machine for your home, you’ve likely started conducting research and come across a few different indoor rower resistance types. If you are looking to learn more about the different resistance types and how to choose the right one for you, you’re in the right place! There are four main types of resistance, in this article, we will cover the pros and cons of each.

FACTORS TO CONSIDER

First, before we dive into the different types of indoor rower resistance, you might be wondering, well how different can they be? And what factors should I be considering when evaluating my options? We've got you covered:

RESISTANCE RANGE

The diversity of resistance levels/intensities that a rowing machine offers, ranging from the lowest level, which provides minimal resistance, to the highest level, which presents the greatest challenge. 

RESISTANCE CONTROL

The capability of users to adjust the level of resistance encountered during their workouts. It involves control mechanisms which can be manual, electronic, automatic, or dynamic, that allow individuals to modify the intensity of their rowing sessions according to their preferences, fitness levels, and training objectives.

NOISE LEVEL

The volume or intensity of sound produced by the machine during operation. 

SOUND

The auditory output produced by the machine during operation. This includes any noises, vibrations, or audible cues emitted by the rowing machine's components as they move or interact with each other.

MOTION MECHANICS

Mechanisms involved in the movement of the machine's components and the user's body during the rowing motion. It encompasses various aspects of biomechanics, engineering, and ergonomics to create a smooth, efficient, and effective rowing experience.

FEEL

Factors such as the smoothness, responsiveness, and consistency of resistance throughout the rowing motion.

REALISM

Closeness of the rowing experience to outdoor rowing, including the sensation of pulling through water, hearing the sound of water swooshing in the tank, and feeling the resistance dynamically change with each stroke.

IMPACT

The stress or strain exerted on the joints, particularly the low back, knees, and other weight-bearing joints, during the rowing motion. 

MAINTENANCE

4 TYPES OF INDOOR ROWER RESISTANCE

Discover how each of the four resistance types (Water, Air, Magnetic, Hydraulic) work, plus the pros and cons of each using the consideration factors we outlined earlier.

1. WATER RESISTANCE:

HOW IT WORKS:

Water-based rowing machines have a flywheel in a tank filled with water. Pulling the handles will move the flywheel, creating resistance as it moves through the water. Your resistance can change based on how fast you row and how much water is in the tank.

PROS:

• Resistance Type / Range: water resistance is dynamic, where difficulty increases with rowing intensity. You can also manually adjust resistance by adding or removing water from the flywheel tank. The combination of dynamic resistance based on effort and the ability to manually adjust provides a wide range of resistance levels suitable for users of all fitness levels.

• Noise-level / Sound: operates quietly, suitable for home use. Produces a gentle splashing or swishing sound, mimicking rowing on water.

• Feel / Realism: offers a realistic rowing experience with a smooth and fluid motion, water sounds, and dynamic resistance.

• Motion Mechanics / Impact: smooth, fluid motion and dynamic resistance have low impact on joints, suitable for individuals with back or joint sensitivity or injuries.

• Explore additional benefits of water rowing.

CONS:

• Resistance Control: while you can manually adjust resistance by adding or removing water from the tank, you can’t do this during your workout. Therefore, there is less control to adjust resistance manually on a water rower vs. other resistance types.

• Some Maintenance Required: typically low, periodic maintenance to maintain water clarity, such as adding a water purification tablet to the tank every 6-12 months. Learn more about water maintenance here.

2. AIR RESISTANCE

HOW IT WORKS:

Air resistance rowing machines incorporate a flywheel connected to the handle, which is pulled during each rowing stroke. As the flywheel spins, it displaces the air surrounding it, with the extent of this displacement controlled by the damper setting of the rowing machine. When the damper setting is set to a lower level, the amount of air around the flywheel decreases, resulting in reduced resistance and a lighter feel to each stroke. Conversely, setting the damper to a higher level requires the flywheel to displace more air, intensifying the resistance experienced with each stroke.  

PROS:

• Resistance Range / Control: air resistance offers dynamic resistance, where difficulty increases with rowing intensity and manual adjustments via the damper settings. This lends to a wide range of resistance levels, but it may offer less precise control compared to magnetic and more variability than water.

• Motion Mechanics / Feel: provides a dynamic rowing experience with a realistic feel, with a smooth and fluid rowing motion, but with more variance than a water rower.

• Low to moderate impact: smooth, fluid motions help to minimize impact on joints, however air is not as consistent and therefore not as low-impact as a water rower.

CONS:

• Noise-level / Sound: high noise levels, the air fan generates more noise due to the spinning fan blades, which may be disruptive in quiet environments. Produces an air whooshing or rushing sound.

• Maintenance: can require more maintenance with occasional cleaning of the fan blades and basic lubrication of moving parts, which may require you to take the rower apart.

3. MAGNETIC RESISTANCE:

HOW IT WORKS:

With magnetic rowing machines, there is a magnet that creates resistance on the flywheel. When a user pulls the handle, the flywheel spins and displaces air around the flywheel, similar to the movement of air in an air resistance rowing machine. However, in this case, the resistance is created by the magnet in the flywheel instead of the amount of air around it. Magnetic rowing machines’ resistance remains constant regardless of whether you row slow or fast (unlike the water & air rowing machines, where you will feel more resistance the faster you row). 

PROS:

• Resistance Control: automatic, electronic, or manual adjustment for customized workouts, offering precise control over resistance settings before and during your workout.

• Noise-level / Sound: operates quietly, suitable for home use or shared spaces. Produces a mechanical hum sound.

• Motion Mechanics / Feel: offers a smooth, controlled, and predictable rowing motion, which allows for low impact on back and joints.

• Maintenance: generally low maintenance, with minimal moving parts and no need for water tank or air fan inspection.

CONS:

• Realism: may lack the realism of rowing on water with limited dynamic response and mechanical sound.

• Fixed resistance range: while magnetic rowers offer adjustable resistance, they may have a set amount of options so the range could be less than other types of rowers.

4. HYDRAULIC RESISTANCE:

HOW IT WORKS:

This type of rowing machine is very basic, resistance is created from hydraulic cylinders attached to the handles. There is either air or fluid in the hydraulic cylinders, and pulling the handles means you are pulling against the air or fluid. Rowing at its core is not a pulling motion, but this machine requires the effort of pulling the handles.   

PROS:

• Noise-level: can operate quietly, depending on the specific design.

• Compact: typically more compact in size than the other types of rowers

CONS:

• Maintenance: moderate maintenance, with occasional checks for proper functioning of the hydraulic resistance system and lubrication of moving parts.

• Sound: Produces hydraulic fluid noises or mechanical sounds.

• Resistance Range: manual adjustment for basic control over resistance settings/level, with a moderate range of resistance levels suitable for most users.

• Resistance Control: may offer limited control compared to other types.

• Motion Mechanics/Feel/Realism: not as smooth of fluid as other types of rowing machines, more similar to that of a leg press, the least realistic of all the types of resistance.

• Impact: moderate impact on joints due to sub-par motion mechanics

Ultimately, the best type of rowing machine resistance depends on individual preferences, fitness goals, and any existing health considerations. By carefully evaluating the consideration factors, individuals can choose the at-home rower resistance type that best aligns with your needs and helps you achieve your fitness objectives safely and effectively.

EXPLORE SOME ADDITIONAL ROWER RESISTANCE RESOURCES:

• Compare the noise level for water, air, and magnetic rowers in this Youtube video by Training Tall: How LOUD Are Rowing Machines? [SOUND TESTS & ANALYSIS]

• Don't want to read all the info above or want a second opinion? Checkout this Youtube video by Dark Horse Rowing: BUYING A ROWING MACHINE? (I Compare the Benefits of All 4 Types)